The Blue Plate Special

Photo By Jim Matusik

The Blue Plate Special

This exhibition will feature the work of 50 artists designing plates in Delft Blue. The expression, "Blue Plate Special", first made its way into the American vocabulary on October 22nd, or 1892 through the Fred Harvey Restaurants. A web collection of 1930's prose gives this definition: "A Blue Plate Special is a low priced daily special: a main course with all the fixins, a daily combo, a square for two bits". The Blue Plate Special was very popular in the Depression Era, but still exists today.

The exhibit features the work of 50 artists reinterpreting this American Symbol of past economic times. Some of the artists featured are: Tim Anderson, Paul Sierra, Sam Rosby, Marya Veeck, Cyd Smillie, Peter Hurley, Susan Barton and many more.

August House Studio opened its door in 1987. It has focused on being a neighborhood gallery. The gallery is a comfortable, intimate space that lends itself to both large and small shows. Located in the heart of Roscoe Village, August House Studio brings the Blue Plate Special Exhibition as its 22nd annual Holiday celebration.

The Blue Plate Special
Where: August House Studio
2213 West Roscoe, in Chicago
When: December 5th-December 21st, 2008
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, Noon-6pm

"Facing Walls"- Scharpenberg Gallery, Chicago

All Photographs By Christine Aguila, Copyright 2008

Opening night gala of "Facing Walls" art exhibition at the Scharpenberg Gallery, DANK-Haus, German Cultural Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Over 250 art patrons attended the opening night reception of "Facing Walls", in the Scharpenberg Gallery. Artists in attendance were: Cyd Smillie, Justin D. Miller, Susan Barton, Lothar Speer, Ed Ott, Lorna Filippini-Mulliken, Carol Koeller and Ronald Graziano.

Acclaimed International Artists to Exhibit Works Depicting the Struggle to Triumph Over Political, Social, Physical and Emotional Barriers

Facing Walls, a unique exhibition exploring both the physical and psychological effects of barriers presented in society, will open with a gala public reception on Friday, October 3rd, from 6pm to 9pm in the Scharpenberg Gallery on the 4th floor of the historic Dank-Haus Chicago.

Facing Walls will showcase more than 80 works of art by international, European Union artists as well as local artists from Chicago. These artists challenge the issues associated with political barriers through painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and metalwork. The exhibiting artists include artist and curator, Susan Barton, Cyd Smiliie, Ed Ott, Lothar Speer, Sally Swingewood, Ronald Graziano, Laura Keeble, Lorna Filippini-Mulliken, and Carol and David Koller.

Gallery hours are from 11am-3pm, Saturdays and are available by appointment during the week. www.dankhaus.com


"Facing Walls", Susan Barton, 2008, 20x16", Acrylic and Oil on Canvas. Available for purchase. Depicting shifting movements behind insurmountable, physical blocks, the painting displays growing energy through brooding tones of color.

"Freedom Comes As A Vision", Susan Barton, 30x24", Oil and Acrylic on Canvas. Available for purchase. Oppression, blockage and limitation give way to insight through breaks in the canvas. "Freedom Comes As A Vision", speaks to enlightenment, hope and seeing beyond futile inflictions.


"Homeland", 40x30", Susan Barton, 2008, Steel, Barbed Wire with Denim. Available for purchase.