shows

Group Show -Please Touch the Artwork 7.16-7.20

PLEASE TOUCH THE ARTWORK
THE MULTI-SENSORY, CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION WITH NO “VIEWING” NECESSARY

ACCESSIBLE OPENING EVENT JULY 16TH, 2011  5-9 PM

BY APPOINTMENT JULY 16TH-20TH
2130 WEST CHICAGO AVENUE, CHICAGO IL 60622

FEATURING

ADAM ROSE, ASHA TAMIRISA, ERIC STEFANSKI, FERESHTEH TOOSHI, HYEON KIM, JENNIFER GROSSMAN, KATE HAMPEL, MARCI RUBIN, MICELE BOCK, STEVE FROST, YOUNG JOON KWAK

CURATED BY EMMA STEIN

The exhibition will feature non-visual curatorial methods and artwork that is accessible by its multi-sensory nature.  In addition to advancing the field of art accessibility, the exhibition will also provide a meaningful experience for the sighted, giving participants an opportunity to branch out of strictly visual modes of engagement with artworks.

PLEASE TOUCH THE ARTWORK is a community-based and community-funded project.  While most of the artists represented are located in Chicagoland, the contributors to this project form a much larger, diverse community of activists who are working to increase the accessibility of art around the country.

For more information or questions about the accessible opening event, write to pleasetouchtheartwork@gmail.com,  or visit the project blog at pleasetouchtheartwork.blogspot.com

PleaseTouch the Artwork

Solo Show – every man a winner, COOP Gallery, Nashvile 7.2-7.30

271155_10150311461791001_622346000_9445528_5141141_n

COOP Gallery is pleased to announce its July exhibition by Chicago artist Steven Frost. Entitled “every man a winner,” Frost reconfigures heroic tropes with his own decidedly craft and design-influenced aesthetic. Consisting of sculpture and fiber-based media, “every man a winner” addresses concerns of concept and materiality. Drawing on the assumed cultural and economic value of materials, as well as the visual language of comic books, sports, popular culture and queer effect, Frost presents them in alternative contexts, eventually recycling elements of his own work into future pieces. The result is an index of ideas that point back to one cultural point of origin and simultaneously to all its subsequent uses in his work.

The show opening is July 2 from 6-9 pm, and run through Saturday, July 30.

NEXT Fair at Art Chicago, 4.29 – 5.2

Liz Nielsen, 2011

Liz Nielsen, 2011

Swimming Pool Project Space is proud to announce “Group Show”. Come visit our booth in the Goffo section of the NEXT fair at Art Chicago. (Booth 600 on the 12th floor) The Exhibition runs April 29th through May 2nd, 2011

On view will be “Group Show” with works in video, photography, sculpture, painting, and interactive web-art,
unified by irreverent attitudes and motifs that challenge the aesthetic line between craft, kitsch, and impeccably manufactured objects.

Artists participating in the Swimming Pool exhibit include:

Daniel G. Baird
Jesse Butcher
Caleb Charland
Carly Fischer
Steven Frost
Shannon Goff
Lauren Gregory
David Harper
Brent Houston
Erin LaRocque
Jessie Mott
Liz Nielsen
Rafael Rozendaal

Visit www.nextartfair.com for opening hours and directions.

MFA Thesis Exhibition 4.29-5.20

“The world is not a calm place.”
MFA Thesis Exhibition
Sullivan Galleries, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

April 29–May 20

Jesse Butcher
Steven Frost
David R Harper
Ivan Lozano
Soo Shin

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 11am–6pm

Reception: Friday, April 29, 8:00–10:00 p.m.
The exhibition will also be open on Monday, May 2, 11 a.m.–6 p.m

“A must-see presentation of the next generation of artists and designers, this exhibition features work by more than 130 students—SAIC’s largest graduating class to date. New this year, guest curators Juan William Chávez, Jessica Cochran, Bryce Dwyer, and Gregory Harris transform the galleries into a series of shows-within-a-show. These thematic sections unfold throughout the space in a sequence of visual encounters and unconventional experiences.” –SAIC.EDUCoolKidzMFACard_2-1-1

Feature Story in Chicago Art Magazine

Feature by Dee Clements in Chicago Art Magazine.

Steven Frost appropriates the combination of male stereotypes and theatricality that defines professional wrestling and boxing using a boastful elocution of craft and textile. His medium and subject matter create a visual tension that teeters on playful kitsch and gender identity. He is part of a generation of male artists working in the realm of Fiber Arts that are bringing the medium to the forefront of scholarship and critique. With the resurgence of DIY culture, rhetoric applied to craft is moving up the ladder of significant prominence in the art world. Artists like Mark Newport who hand knits oversized super hero costumes challenges notions of masculinity and vulnerability. Do Ho Suh creates site-specific environments, like his sewn apartment The Perfect Home, 2002, bringing into question the boundaries of identity. Other prominent contemporary male fiber artists like Ai Weiwei, El Anatsui are also incorporating traditional handicrafts in their practice to reconfigure notions of identity through medium. –Read the full article.

Screen shot 2011-04-03 at 7.46.11 AM

Exploding Faces, Confining Spaces, Robert Bills Contemporary

[February 12 – March 15, 2011 ]
[ Opening Reception Saturday, February 12th from 5-8pm ]

Robert Bills Contemporary’s group exhibition, Exploding Faces, Confining Spaces, presents three artists whose violence and energy breaks the constraints of historical connotation and exceeds the confined space of their marginalized media. Nathan Vernau’s tormenting psychological narratives become entertainment for the viewer, showcased in shallow, comic-book-like and theatrical environments. The simple playfulness associated with the spaces and color themes inverts itself to become another mocking voice that tortures the multiple figurations of the artist that participate in acting out emotional turmoil. Steven Frost appropriates the combination of violence and theatricality that defines professional wrestling and boxing using the rhetoric of craft and textile. The exploding faces of the male figures, the symbolic location of their fictional and socially loaded identities, dissolve into entropic clouds shaped so as to embody the violence of their abstraction. Tiphanie Spencer’s employment of the antiquated arabesque aesthetic melds dainty decoration, abstracted figures and narratives into a single web of linear connectivity that seemsto dismantle what was previously an entire environment into its component parts, yet whose forms and branches remain hopelessly
entangled.

Steven Frost represents male tropes appropriated from pop culture within a textile-based rhetoric, bringing together a deceivingly playful lightness and a sharp awareness of these tropes’ embodied violence. His brilliant abstracting of violent movement and energy with materials like colorful pom-pom balls, string, rhinestones, and other craft materials creates an extremely emotive tension that is immediately registered by the viewer. The seemingly simple compositions pack a strong and disturbing punch with a complexity only fully realized when one becomes aware of the strange quality the craft materials take on in this context. Bullets are represented by rhinestones in the depiction of Davey Crocket, and a tangled mess of string instantly comes to represent the mutilation of flesh when considered in the context of a boxing match, standing in for the boxer’s destroyed face.

Robert Bills Contemporary was named one of the top ten hottest galleries at Next 2010 by The Chicago Tribune. The gallery is
located in Chicago’s West Loop at 222 North Desplaines Street at Lake on the lower level. For general inquiries please contact the Gallery Director, Emma Stein at emma@robertbillscontemporary.com, or call 312.234.9091.

World of QueerCraft, Craftland Gallery, Providence, RI

World of Queer Craft Steven Frost

World of Queer Craft Steven Frost

I’m in a group show called World of QueerCraft at the Craftland Gallery in Providence, RI. I’m showing 6 small Vignette Badges (3 never before exhibited). The show also features work by Liz Collins, Michael DiPietro, Monica Panzarino, Christopher Schulz, Anna Shapiro, Jason Tranchida, and Matt Underwood. Monica, Matt, and I graduated from Alfred University together. Christopher Schulz founded PinUps Magazine which I am a huge fan of. I wasn’t able to attend the opening but check out some of Matt’s photos from the opening. This exhibit runs through November 21.

Photos from the opening over on my blog.

Curatorial Debut: Reincorporation Jamboree @ Honfleur Gallery, June 2009

sean m. johnson

Artists like Joseph Beuys have built catalogs of work looking at rites of passage. Reincorpartion Jamboree draws from the work of five young artists who have emerged from what could be considered contemporary American rites of passage like: middle school dances, under employment, financing higher education and urban survival. Curator and DC artist, Steven Frost examines this emergence with a group of young artists from several regions of the US. The work of Kristina Bilonick (Washington, DC), Ben Fino–Radin (Providence, RI), Hatnim Lee (Brooklyn, NY), Sean M. Johnson (Boston, MA), and Theo Knox (San Francisco, CA) premiers at Honfleur Gallery in this incisive body of contemporary study of Reincorporation.

Building on themes addressed in his own studio practice curator, Steven Frost’s  Reincorporation Jamboree gathers artists who in the twilight of there adulthood reexamine themes of passage, ambition, experimentation, and family ties. Reincorporation is the act rejoining society after experiences separating one from it as defined by French ethnographer and folklorist, Arnold van Gennep. Frost selected artist’s whose work was anthropological, each of them touches on contemporary popular culture, the artists own rites–of–passage and subsequent emergence of unique perspectives. The exhibition includes photography, mixed media installation and interactive works. Visitors may see the show at Honfleur starting June 22, 2009.

The grand closing reception will be held July, 24th at 7pm

Honfleur Gallery, Historic Anacostia’s contemporary art space, is located at 1241 Good Hope Road SE.  Its close proximity to 395, Capitol Hill and to the Anacostia Green Line Metro makes it easily accessible from downtown DC. For further inquiries, please contact Amy Cavanaugh, Honfleur Gallery Director, at 202–580–5972. Be sure to visit these websites for details: www.honfleurgallery.com.

Solo Show @ in Chicago 3.12.09

MERIT @ the Swimming Pool Project Space
merit

Opening March 21, 7-10pm, 2009
continues thru April 19 with hours on Sunday 1-5 and by appointment

2858 W. Montrose, Chicago, IL 60618
Two blocks west of California, at Francisco

In Frost’s Merit Badge Series, he examines the disconnect between the traditional rites of passage celebrated by the Boy Scouts and the actual events that mark our transitions into adulthood. What becomes of the those boys who learned to build fires, serve dinner to seniors, and climb mountains? Today’s young scouts find themselves in a modern world where “good citizen” skills are rendered useless. Resourcing materials that have their own history, Frost creates contemporary traditions that honor more ephemeral but meritorious achievements: those that represent our character. Too Old for MTV Badge; Finding Yourself In Craigslist Missed Connections Badge; I Like Girls For Different Reasons Badge; Losing Your Phone on the Chinatown Bus Badge; these universal, yet personal experiences demarcate our life histories, and honor who we are on the path to what we become.

http://www.swimmingpoolprojectspace.com/current_show.html

Queer Craft @ Advocate & Gochis Galleries, L.A. 01.17.09

 If you are on the West Coast you can see my work in downtown L.A.

queercraft

A group exhibition sponsored by
the Queer Caucus for Art

 Queer Art Caucus
Fine Lines, by Margaret Matsuyama

The Queer Caucus for Art is an affiliated society of the College Art Association.

The artists featured in this show are not just “queer” artists, but artists exploring the tender boundary between queer and craft, between identity and process. They create work to inspire us to radicalize our own conceptions of our gendered selves.
Exhibit runs January 22-February 27
Closing Reception: Thursday, February 26, 7-9 p.m.  FREEGallery hours: Mon-Fri 6-10 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Media.Mix: 21st Century Collage @ Civilian 12.12.2008

Exhibition Runs:
December 12 – 27, 2008

Opening Reception:
Friday, December 12, 7-9pm

Exhibition Hours:
Wednesday – Saturday, 12pm – 6pm

Click here to download press release in PDF format

CIVILIAN ART PROJECTS is pleased to announce its final exhibition of the year: Media.Mix: 21st Century Collage. Inviting the viewer to examine expectations of collage, curator Iciar Sagarminaga and assistant curator Erin Lingle have selected a group of artists who explore this genre to find relationships between elements and build narratives in their distinctive bodies of work. No material is off limits and diverse methods are explored.

Pulling from their individual experiences and incorporating materials that are culturally relevant, the artists establish a collective identity reflecting a consciousness that all matter is precious. The transformations that take place offer an opportunity to revel in the abstraction and creative use of ordinary materials and discarded images. This quiet manifesto of salvaging, not wasting, and finding new life for old pieces, is a poetic and central experience in collage, and one that continues to stretch its boundaries. The creative freedom and versatility found in combining and altering objects, textures, images and sound to create new meaning and aesthetic value creates work that is accessible and extols the enduring power and relevance of collage into the twenty-first century.

The exhibition includes sculpture, painting, drawing, fabric and textiles, video, music, and photography by Kristina Bilonick, Cheraya Esters, Steven Frost, Laura Hensley, Anamario Hernández, Steve Ioli, Jennifer Mattingly, Patrick McDonough, Chinaedu Nwadibia, Betsy Packard, Nicholas Popovici, Teresa Sites, David William and a musical remix of sounds by Damu.

5th Annual Transformer Auction @ the Halcyon House

The 5th Annual Transformer
Silent Auction & Benefit Party

I am proud to announce that my work will be included in The 5th Annual Transformer Silent Auction & Benefit Party taking place Saturday, November 15, 2007, 7-10pm in John Dreyfuss’ Sculpture Studio at Halcyon House, 34th and Prospect Streets NW. This very special, one-night only event features an exciting array of over 125 artworks in a variety of mediums, dimensions and prices by more than 100 of DC’s leading emerging and established artists (click here for complete list).

Expanding Transformer’s mission of artist-centered programming, we are thrilled to have the Auction taking place at Halcyon House in the gorgeous studio of Washington’s leading sculptor, John Dreyfuss for the second year in row. In addition to viewing and bidding on an eclectically curated mix of salon-style hung artworks, patrons are encouraged to groove to the beats of Djs Yellow Fever and enjoy delicious complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer throughout the evening provided by some of DC’s finest restaurants, including: Bar Pilar, Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar, Bombay Club, Buck’s Fishing & Camping, Café Saint-Ex, Comet Ping Pong, Jaleo, Leopold’s Kafe + Konditorei, Local 16, Mandu, Marvin, Melt Catering, Old Ebbitt Grill, On the Fly, Oyamel, Paisley Fig, Posto, Sea Catch, sweetgreen, and Whole Foods.

With a growing reputation as an awesome party and fantastic opportunity for both beginning and seasoned collectors to purchase some of the best visual art DC has to offer, attendance to the auction is already close to sold out, so buy your tickets now! Attendance is $150 if received by 10.27.07; $1725 after this date.

Saturday, November 15, 2008, 7-10pm
John Dreyfuss’ Sculpture Studio at Halcyon House
3400 Prospect Street, NW
Auction entrance is on 34th Street
between Prospect and M Streets, NW

Home Plates Auction @ Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery

The Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery has partnered up with All Fired Up ceramic studios to bring Home Plates to the Gallery. Basically, we handed 60 local artists a blank dinner plate to use as their “canvas.” The result is a wonderfully colorful exhibition with ultimate functionality, and a window into the local art scene which is bursting at the seams.

In addition, through sales of the plates The Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery has the opportunity to raise a much-needed portion of its budget. We held a similar fundraiser in 1997 with Continuum, shortly after the gallery opened its doors. Just as that exhibition highlighted many artists’ interpretations of community and the links between generations in the past and future, our upcoming exhibition Home Plates hopes to connect the Washington DC Jewish Community Center to the larger community surrounding it. A special children’s version of Home Plates will be exhibited in the Ina & Jack Kay Community Hall and the Harold and Barbara Berman JCC Café from December 1–December 31.

Place a bid on my plate today!

Home Plates

CIVILIANS 4 OBAMA! @ Civilian Art Projects 10.17

Please join Civilian Art Projects, DJs Will Eastman (Blisspop), Jonathan Ackerman (the Moon Goons, Minneapolis) and over artists from across the USA and the Atlantic as we dance, raise a drank, and celebrate the change that’s gonna come!!!

And we’re going to give him some Civilian money. $25 at the door includes one complimentary drink. Artists will donate a portion of their proceeds to the campaign.

List of participating artists as of 10/13/08:

Steven Frost
Deborah M. Carroll Anzinger
John Beebe, Kate Damon, Craig Honeycutt & Matthew Rohrs
Matthew Best
Megan Blafas
Lisa Blas
Judy Byron
Lynn Cazabon
Richard Chartier
Natalie Cheung
Billy Colbert
Jeffry Cudlin
Mary Early
Victor Ekpuk
Ana Elisa Fuentes
Lee Gainer
Victoria F. Gaitán
Pat Goslee
Jason Matthews Gottlieb
Pat Graham
Dana Ayanna Greaves
Jeremy Haik
Jason Horowitz
Mike Iacovone
David Ibata
Amanda Kleinman
Brian Knight
Joseph Lamour
Kate MacDonnell
Andrew McDermott
Kate McGraw
Sean Quinn
Rick Reinhard
Rachele Riley
Brady Robinson
Marc Roman
Alexandra Silverthorne
Melanie Standage
Sanjay Suchak
John Ulaszek
Rachel Waldron
Jenny Walton
Joshua Yospyn

http://www.civilianartprojects.com/events.html

You must be 21 to drink. Voting age to attend.
You can also donate at http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/ForeignpolicywonksforObama

20×20 Show @ ART17

20x20 Postcard

20 x 20
September 20 – November 20, 2008

ART17 (Coldwell Banker)
1606 17th Street NW 20009
Artists Reception ­ Saturday September 20, 5-8pm

20% of the proceeds donated to
Food and Friends and Woolly Mammoth Theater Company (still confirming)

John M. Adams
Beth Baldwin
Jody Bergstresser
Margaret Boozer
Tanja Bos
Billy Colbert
Rod Cook
Anna U. Davis
Tom Drymon
Gary Fisher
Michael Fitts
Steve Frost
Sam Gilliam
Susan Goldman
Bridget Sue Lambert
Renee Stout
Di Bagley Stovall
Lou Stovall
Rob Vander Zee
Ellyn Weiss

Wall Mountables @ DCAC

One of my favorite artist’s spaces in DC is the District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC). They serve as a launching pad from some of the best young curaters and artists. They also host shows by many of DC’s art veterans. Every year since I’ve lived in DC, I’ve participated in their annual fund raiser, 1460 Wall Mountables. There is a lot of work there, so please see if you can spot my work among the masses.

1460 Wall Mountables will be on display through August 31 at DC Arts Center, 2438 18th Street NW, Washington DC. Open Wednesday though Sunday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.