Vintage Style for Modern Living
Urban Owl – Filmed in Downtown Charleston, WV – January 19, 2008
I know, enough about the owl already.
But I’m just a too much an urban dweller and usually my only real exposure to wildlife comes from watching The Discovery Channel. So, when confronted with wildlife in my natural habitat, I just can’t resist the urge to pull out the cameras.
Urban Owl 5 – C. Hamsher – January 18, 2008
Our friend the owl was still haging around Downtown Charleston today and I was able to get a few more shots.
Thanks to Jessie who identified this as Barred Owl (a.k.a. Hoot Owl) in a comment to our previous post.
Also of interest is this article on new discoveries about urban owls.
Urban Owl 6 – C. Hamsher – January 18, 2008
Urban Owl 7 – C. Hamsher – January 18, 2008
Urban Owl 1 – C. Hamsher – January 17, 2008
The modern lady had told me she seen an owl about in Downtown Charleston and I got a chance to see this wonderful bird for myself today.
We have been told by someone who also spends a great deal of time downtown that he believes this is the same owl that wintered here last year. I vaguely remember hearing about it then but never witnessed it. Today I had the fortune of coming upon him (her?) with camera in hand.
He certainly seems to be content where he is although it kept a close eye on me as a shot these photos.
Urban Owl 2 – C. Hamsher – January 17, 2008
Urban Owl 3 – C. Hamsher – January 17, 2008
Urban Owl 4 – C. Hamsher – January 17, 2008
I have noticed a sharp decline in squirrels and pigeons around the area!
Randall Reid-Smith, the commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, appeared before the Senate Government Organization Committee today to discuss the status of remodeling and expansion plans for the state’s Cultural Center at the Capitol Complex. While I have followed with a bit of interest posts in another blog about the issues surrounding the Cultural Center I must admit it has been a bit like gawking at a train wreck.
I have utilized the Cultural Center over the years on a limited basis – occasionally using the library, attended concerts in the performance hall and, when there was one, often took out-of-town visitors to the basement museum. I generally enjoyed my visits but frankly don’t think about the place much. I suppose I’m not much different than many West Virginians in that regard.
Now do not get me wrong – I feel the Cultural Center is important and the archives they hold are precious. I also strongly support many of the functions of the Division of Culture and History – like historic preservation. However, if I were to make a list of the major problems facing the state I can not imagine anything to do with this facility or the agency it houses would be anywhere near the top of the list. But that’s just me.
All that said, I do have an strong interest in good, efficient and responsive government. That interest, and the opportunity, led to my attending the legislative committee meeting held today even though I really don’t, as they say, have a “dog in the fight.”
Randall Reid-Smith opened with a prepared statement in which he discussed the “options” being explored which included having food service and a gift shop either on the 1st Floor of the Cultural Center or in the yet-to-be constructed Atrium. He stressed that “experts” were looking closely at all of the options. Food preparation would not occur at the Cultural Center but rather at the new Capitol Food Court and transported across the grounds to the facility. He asserted several times that no “final decisions” had been made and that any plan, once completed, would have to be approved by the Capitol Building Commission.
Reid-Smith told the committee that the food service would not compromise the archival of state records and artifacts and stated that the “National Archives has food service.”
He wound up his formal presentation be saying that this is a “customer service administration” and that the goal was to provide “the best customer service to all West Virginians.”
At one point during his prepared statement, Mr. Reid-Smith showed the committee the original architectural drawing of the Cultural Center prepared in 1974 to demonstrate that the Atrium, along with a circular drive, were all part of the original plan. When instructed by the committee chair, Senator Ed Bowman, to turn the drawing around so that the spectators could see it Mr. Reid-Smith flipped the drawing around for a split second and then faced the committee again. Senator Bowman asked him again to show the drawing to the crowd and Reid-Smith did – half-hearted and with a pained expression on his face. Senator Bowman gently told him to be nice to which Reid-Smith snapped back, “I am nice.”
It seemed from my perspective that most of the people in attendance didn’t quite feel that way. Perhaps it was the visible contempt Mr. Reid-Smith showed for the mere citizens who were in the audience.
The commissioner then was asked a number of questions by the committee members. In response to a question from Senator Dan Foster, Reid-Smith detailed the timetable for the construction of the new museum. He stated that construction began on January 2nd and it was anticipated to take 15 months. He stated that a request for proposals for the “fabrication” was to be released this Thursday and that work should begin on that portion of the project by March 1st. He made clear that this was the timeline for the museum – not for the cafe/ gift shop.
The most pointed questions came from Senator Eric Wells who first asked if he was aware of how the National Archives protocols for archived materials differed from the ones in use by the Division of Culture and History. Mr. Reid-Smith quickly replied that he had never been to the National Archives. He then added that the Cultural Center was sprayed for bugs and vermin monthly.
Senator Wells also asked that, if given a choice, would Reid-Smith put in food service or add a more secure manuscript room to which the commissioner replied – “I’d do both.” Wells again asked this – that if he had to choose one or the other which would he choose. Again Reid-Smith stated “Both.”
The meeting wrapped up with the following series of questions from Senator Ed Bowman, the chair the committee, to Commissioner Reid-Smith:
Q. Has a final plan been approved?
A. No
Q. Before any plan is accepted it must be approved before the Capitol Building Commission?
A. Yes
Q. Meetings of the Capitol Building Commission are open to the public?
A. Yes
Q. In any proposal, is it being considered to move the archive storage from the 3rd and 4th floors of the Cultural Center?
A. No
Q. Have professional archivists been consulted and utilized in developing the options?
A. Yes
And that was it. The committee adjourned.
I am sure the news media will have a great deal more to report on this – especially regarding the specifics of Mr. Reid-Smith’s prepared statement as copies were made for committee members. Rest assured some enterprising reporter was going to get their hands on a copy.
While I don’t regularly follow the activities of the Division of Culture and History the opportunity presented itself to me to attend this meeting. I am certainly not well versed enough on all of the issues to formulate a concrete opinion on what seems to be a governmental quagmire.
I do have concerns about – and question the need for – a cafe or any food service at the Cultural Center. It seems risky to the integrity of the archives and not needed with a brand-spanking new food court in the basement of the Capitol.
It did seem as though Mr. Reid-Smith wants one though – and he strikes me as someone who is not used to being questioned regarding what he wants.
Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail and this will be looked at logically and with an eye towards what this agency is supposed to be about – the preservation of our state historical treasures and to foster cultural development in West Virginia. We will see…
Spontaneous Collection of Items – The Modern Guy’s Desk
When I was five the older couple who lived next door, Mr. & Mrs. Barnes, gave me a rock collection. Mr. Barnes had carefully wrapped each specimen in a bit of paper towel and placed a small card inside which described the stone and the location of its origin. Those small bits of rock and stone may as well have been nuggets of silver and gold to me and I spent many hours carefully unwrapping each one, examining it, and just as carefully storing it back away in its box.
I believe that was my first true “collection” although I never recall a time that I wasn’t assembling items of some sort into a grouping. Often those items have been very specific and similar and, at other times, have been a seemingly random selection of unconnected things that come together as a “collection” only in my mind.
I was thinking of this while cleaning my desk the other day. The items shown above have resided together there for several years now. While totally unconnected in any way this grouping has become a spontaneous collection – one gathered and assembled with no forethought or planning but which are now, at least as far as I am concerned, a single unit.
This grouping includes, a PEZ dispenser, a beat up cream pitcher from The Ruffner Hotel, a wooden Number 8 typeblock, a pewter donkey, a New York Flatiron Building souvenir, a bottle opener from the Fesenmeier Brewery, a U.S. Army pin, and stack of eight Kennedy half-dollars. Each of these items I acquired individually with no thought of where they would go and certainly without having a “need” for them. They just each appealed to me in some manner and over time have simply combined to become a small collection of otherwise meaningless items that stay on my desk. They are now one – a collection.
The modern lady and I are collectors of some very specific items as well – Blenko Glass, Heywood-Wakefield furniture, artwork and dinnerware. The best example of borderline obsessive compulsive disorder in our family is our acquisition of dinnerware as we have accumulated upwards of dozen complete or nearly complete sets.
While our basic tastes always lean towards vintage modern there are several collections in our home which do not fall into that category at all. The modern lady’s mammy doll collection and Virgin Mary figurine collection are two of those and, while additions to these collections are not what we are generally seeking on an ongoing basis, they both seem to keep growing.
Vintage Mammy Dolls – The Modern Lady’s Collection – circa early 20th Century
Vintage Virgin Mary Figurines and Icons – The Modern Lady’s Collection
Collecting has been going on since people first began hunting and gathering. The Association of Collecting Clubs lists 2866 collecting groups and from my experience that list just skims the surface. In our shop we cater to collectors and are constantly reminded of the importance of collections in everyday life. Collections are an expression of individuality and, regardless of the monetary value, add significantly to a persons sense of well-being.
Just like the assemblage on my desk which I wouldn’t part with for any amount of money.
The Purple Moon will be open this week Wednesday through Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. The gallery will be closed beginning Sunday, December 30th through Monday, January 7th for our annual New Year’s vacation.
This allows us the time to remove the Christmas decorations, replenish our inventory after the Holiday shopping period and get some much-needed rest.
We will be back to regular business hours beginning Tuesday, January 8th, 2008.
The modern lady and I thank you for helping us make 2007 a great year for The Purple Moon and we wish each of you a Happy New Year!
Untitled (Nativity) – Andy Warhol – c. 1959
It’s A Wonderful Life – Directed by Frank Capra – 1946
As much as I at times try to act the Scrooge this time of year I ultimately succumb to sentimentality – and it usually corresponds to my annual viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life.
Frank Capra’s film about George Bailey, Bedford Falls and the story of personal redemption and good overcoming evil is not just a great holiday film – it is one of the best films ever. Although not a commercial success at the time of it’s release the film has since been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best movies ever made and was named the most inspiring moving ever by the AFI.
Do you know how long it takes a working man to save five thousand dollars? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you’re talking about… they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn’t think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they’re cattle. Well, in my book he died a much richer man than you’ll ever be.
— George Bailey to Mr. Potter
This film is still as fresh today as it was when it was made in 1946. The performances by James Stewart and Donna Reed are flawless and Lionel Barrymore as Mr. Potter is the personification of meanness.
Your Holiday should not be complete without seeing this movie and it can be a great gift to yourself to take the 2 hours and 10 minutes, relax, and watch this American classic. Share this time and this film with someone you love and you’ll both have the gift of a Holiday memory to carry for years to come.
The ArtWalk is the showcase of Downtown Charleston’s thriving art scene.
The December ArtWalk is going to be one of the best ever – with new venues, festive holiday carolers and free KRT Trolley rides between galleries this is one you won’t want to miss.
This will be a great time to pick up those last-minute Holiday gifts while enjoying wonderful works of art from local, regional and nationally-known artists.
Participating galleries, studios and venues and features are:
Art Emporium – 823 Quarrier Street
Artist reception featuring the prints and drawings by Anthony Young.
Also, West Virginia Artists including paintings and prints by J.P. Owens, abstract acrylic paintings by Traci Higginbotham, jewelry by Jackie King, and Photo-Digital Paintings by Bruce Haley.
Blue Door Art Studio – 223 (Rear) Hale Street
Studio of artist Mark Tobin Moore.
Charleston Catholic High School – 1033 Virginia Street East
Special Holiday Artwalk exhibit highlighting works by art students at the school. Among the exhibit will be recent works by AP Art Students Avrah Urecki, Rob Fluharty, Aidan Kim, Elyse Campbell, and Mark Thompson In addition, a life-sized Nativity installation by the middle school art students and a variety of art by student artists from grades 6-12 will also be presented.
Clay Center – One Clay Square
Lightscapes for the Holidays
Large scale sculpture and installations that incorporate Christmas lights by local and regional artists – Dow Benedict, Dan Connery, Sharon Harms, Alison Helm, Scott McMillan, Mark Moore, Mark Soppeland and Cindy Walton
Seasonal Selections from the Permanent Collection
Paintings, prints and photographs by prominent historic and contemporary artists, among them: Paula Clendenin, Jim Dine, Stuart Davis, Roberto Matta, Frederick Waugh and Alexander Wyant
Chet Lowther Studio – 223 – 1/2 Hale Street
New works by Chet Lowther
Gallery Eleven – 1033 Quarrier Street
For the holidays Gallery Eleven will be celebrating the fine crafters, from the pottery of Debbie Wright, Regina Swim and Susan Maslowski, to glass by Greta Heinsworth, Ron Hinkle and David Houser, plus book marks, cards, and miniatures by the Co-Op artists and many more fine crafter’s works.
Good News Mountaineer Garage Gallery – 221 Hale Street
Roger Lucas Gallery – 1033 Quarrier Street
Stray Dog Antiques – 219 Hale Street
Antiques, art, gold and sterling silver jewelry.
Taylor Books – Annex Gallery – 226 Capitol Street
Art and gifts for the holidays.
The Purple Moon – 716 Lee Street East
Original works and signed limited-edition prints from nationally-known retro – pop artist Kerry Beary.
Also art from Felix Krasyk, Wm. D. Goebel, Jennifer Susman and Rob Cleland as well as the usual selection of eclectic and unique furnishings, accessories, glass and artifacts from the mid-20th Century.
The Squire Tobacco Unlimited – 108 Capitol Street
Works by Charlie Morgan. Larry Orndorff,Bob Adams, Rick Burgess, Nick Fortney, Keith Allen and Chris DeMaria.
For this month’s ArtWalk free trolley service will be available for getting between venues and carolers will be provided by Charleston area Girl Scout Troops. Truly a night of Holiday Festivities and wonderful art not to miss.
The perfect way to wind up (or start!) your Holiday shopping – and maybe even try a taste or two of wine along the way!
A map of the venues and trolley stops can be found here. For more information visit the ArtWalk website.
Winslow Anderson – 1917 – 2007
Former Blenko Glass designer Winslow Anderson passed away on December 10th, 2007. During his years at Blenko, from 1947 to 1953, Anderson moved the Milton glass producer fully into modernism. The designs he created while at Blenko are among the best the company ever produced.
In addition to his time at Blenko, Mr. Anderson led a full and productive life. His obituary is as follows:
Artist, designer, and sailor, Winslow Anderson, 90, died Monday, December 10, 2007 at his home. The son of the late Paula and George Anderson, he was born May 17, 1917 in Plymouth, Mass. In his youth he wanted to design swift boats, but instead he was recruited into the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, where, in 1947, he graduated magna cum laude with Departmental Honors in Industrial ceramic Design. During WWII he served in the United States Army in Pawling, NY as a topographical draughtsman. While trained as a ceramist, upon graduation Mr. Anderson was hired as the first full-time designer at Blenko Glass, Milton, West Virginia. During his six year tenure, 1947-1953, he was instrumental in creating new, modern functional designs in vibrant colors, which greatly enhanced Blenko’s reputation. He often told friends how the glass itself was the best designer: he stated, “The glass did things in the process of being made; it revealed new ideas to me.” The Museum of Modern Art presented Anderson with a “Good Design Award” for his bent neck decanter, which acknowledged his elegant, simplified designs in 1950. In 1953 he went to work for the Lenox China and Crystal Company in Trenton, New Jersey as both designer and the design director. He remained there until his retirement in 1980, when he chose to move back to West Virginia. Upon retirement Winn sailed his boat, the Ti Fi, painted and traveled the world. He will be remembered by his friends as a witty storyteller, a collector with a most discerning eye and as a visionary designer. Donations in his memory can be made to either the Huntington Museum of Art or the Putnam County Animal Shelter.
Goodbye Mr. Anderson. Thank you for the what you left for us to remember you by – we always will.