One Night Only! Jenny Morgan Book Signing and Special Performance

After much anticipation the books are in! Jenny Morgan's beautiful new book titled "New Territory," is in the gallery and now available for purchase. A gorgeous visual anthology of Jenny's paintings in glossy hardcover, the book showcases works dating back to 2003. Produced by Plus Gallery in Denver, "New Territory" includes pieces in private collections as well as works exhibited at both Like the Spice Gallery and Plus Gallery.





To celebrate Like the Spice hosted a book signing with Jenny Morgan last night coupled with a performance by "One Show Good-bye" with Nicki Stager, Tom Firehat, James Weiss, and Ryan Blair. In a Chaplin-Esq performance the artists set forth to accomplish a simple task in the hardest way possible, haphazardly involving visitors and the entire gallery in the process. Staged with sound bites, voice-overs, and guitar accompaniment the artists installed a small piece by Nicki Stager first by measuring all possible distances, taking extensive notes, and ladder finagling that moved visitors to and fro around the gallery.



Next the performance escalated to chopping wood, rigging a pulley and rope to draw clothing through the gallery and finally getting dressed. The performers included artists Nicki Stager, Tom Firehat & James Weiss of FaceitdadPICTURES teamed with drummer/designer Ryan Bair.



Visitors to the gallery last night also had the opportunity to see our fantastic new show Exposure: Nicki Stager and Michelle Hinebrook which will be on view through January 17th. There are still seats available for our Artist Monthly Dinner Series next Friday night with Nicki and Michelle. To RSVP for please visit our website Monthly Dinner Series: Maybe Just A Tiny Bite, and join us!

Hear ye, hear ye!

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears! Or, as I prefer to say, 'friends, New Yorkers, not gender-specific country people,' but this is a whole different thing...We here at Like the Spice hope that all had a wonderful time bidding 2009 adieu and welcoming with open arms this new decade. Sigh, isn't it wonderful to be in the early stages of a year? There is so much to look forward to and so many plans to make; with clear eyes and full hearts we cannot lose as we charge once more into the breach dear friends! As you are all penciling things into your calenders for the near future, and because it is totally acceptable to continue ringing in the New Year for at least a month, I would like to bring to your attention some wonderfully exciting up-and-coming events that Like the Spice is involved with. Ring it in, everybody!
First off, this Friday January 8th Like the Spice will be hosting a book signing party for LTS artist Jenny Morgan, as well as a group performance including one of our current solo artists Nicki Stager. Morgan's book, Jenny Morgan: New Territory, just came out last month and we are honored to have it on display and for purchase here at the gallery. The signing will be from 6:30-9pm and all are welcome! In addition Philadelphia performance artists Tom Firehat & James Weiss of FaceitdadPICTURES team up with drummer/designer Ryan Bair of Rolling Stone Magazine and photographer/gun moll Nicki Stager for an improptu site-specific collaboration at Like the Spice Gallery. According to Ruby Dimple, press agent, the central theme of the performance is doing a simple act the most difficult way possible. This is likely a "one-show goodbye" situation as Firehat was overheard saying (of Stager): "That wench doesn't even have a camera"; and when pressed, Bair called Stager a "pretender to the throne." One show, goodbye: January 8, 2010
Then watch Nicki Stager perform, speak, and eat at Maybe Just A Tiny Bite with Michelle Hinebrook her counterpart in our Monthly Dinner series Concurrent with Michelle Hinebrook & Nicki Stager: Exposure.

Also in January, our fearless leader and gallery owner Marisa Sage has joined with Grace Evans, director and partner at Zach Feuer Gallery in Chelsea, and Christina Ray, founder and director of Glowlab in Soho, to curate an exhibition at 92YTribeca of alumni chosen from the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture’s 1999-2008 classes. Gallery exhibits at 92Y are always free and open to the public, so join us as we attend the opening reception Jan. 21st at 6pm.
Directly Following the show at the 92YTribeca on Jan. 22nd @ Like the Spice, presents the work of artist Bennett Morris.

Plucked straight off the Skowhegan registry, Mr. Morris creates his own spaces by hand, imbibing it with elements from the German Romantics and the Hudson River School, steeping it with Gothic Revival, and realizing it in a post apocalyptic photographic form.
On the 28th of January the 92YTribeca and Art21 will present a trivia event inspired by contemporary art and the culture of our time. Think that you can organize a team of five or less that would impress the likes of Alex Trebeck? Do you enjoy raining down knowledge of current art, film, music and online cultural phenomena? Then bring it on. If your friends are already frustrated with you because you win every game of Trivia Pursuit it's no problem, come solo and join a team on the spot. And for you shy folks, participation is not necessary; come and observe while you increase your knowledge of contemporary art.

Now, I know that this may seem a bit far in advance but we do not want you to miss the group show that Like the Spice will be hosting during the Armory Exhibit. This group show will feature many LTS artists and will open on February 18 and go until March 7th. Well, my friends I do believe that is all for now. We hope that you will join us for one or all of the events we have going on this month and next, it may be the best way to kick off this new year.

Pre-Xmas X-posure!

So how was your Christmas? Did you enjoy the snow? Despite the impending shutdown, Like the Spice was still open and hoppin' on Wednesday, for opening night of Exposure, the latest show from Nicki Stager and Michelle Hinebrook. Here's a quick recap!



Right when you walk in the door, you understand how lovely this show can be. There's a light from Nicki and Michelle's work that seems to come as though from nowhere. Seeing them in person really underscores just how talented these two women are.



Despite the FREEZING cold, we were pretty happy with the crowd. It was a friendly, fun atmosphere, almost totally informal, and a wonderful opportunity to just talk to the artists face to face.



There's Nicki Stager on the right, talking to some fans. When not creating their own work, Nicki and Michelle are both teachers, helping the next generation of artists. This also means they're very accessibly when you've got questions about their work. Remember, both Nicki and Michelle will be at our next Monthly Dinner, coming up on January 15th. Previous dinners have been an absolute blast, so you can be sure this one will be just as exciting. Just remember, reservations are required. Hurry and make your reservations right now!



It was so wonderful to have so many guests at our opening night, despite the terrifying threat of snow. But what if you couldn't make it? Oh, well, you know we'll always forgive YOU! Just be sure to stop in anytime between right now and January 17th. Really, Exposure is a show you're going to want to see in person.



(ps: Like the Spice will be closed on Thursday, December 31st, but we'll be open again on Saturday, January 2nd. 2010, here we come!)

Last chance to say your vows and bid farewell!

Hurry! Hurry! Today is the last day to view Civil Union: Jenny Morgan and David Mramor at Like The Spice . We hope that you are wedded to the idea of stopping by to see us and bid adieu to this fabulous show. Let's face it, the weather is less than tolerable, plus it is the season for giving so come to the gallery and share your company with us. Save yourself from this miserable Sunday and let us here at Like The Spice warm you with our hearts, a glass of wine, and the collaborative and individual pieces by the wonderfully talented and innovative artists Jenny Morgan and David Mramor. This show has been a definite highlight and brought us through the dreary transition from a beautiful foliage-full fall into a cold and callous winter. As the opening for the show in November was nothing less than momentous and our ceremonial dinner Civil Ware proved to be a great success it is no surprise that Civil Union: Jenny Morgan and David Mramor has topped the charts. As this post could go on for ever lauding the coupling of Jenny and David and the work they produced it would just be better if you came to the gallery and experienced this show for yourselves. We, as always, would love to have you!! Also, keep an eye out for our upcoming show on December 18th, Exposure: Michele Hinebrook and Nicki Stager, see the post below!

More-Than-Decent Exposure

Fabulous exposure? Amazing exposure? We're still working out the adjectives, but we aren't going to let that stop us. Friday, December 18th sees the opening night of Exposure: Michelle Hinebrook and Nicki Stager.



These two brilliant young artists are both perfectly matched, which is why we had to put them together. Their unique pieces shape light and color, starting from a near-similar point, but winding up far, far away, yet still equally beautiful. You can read the full press release for all the details. Just know that the quick version is: we're so pleased to have them with us!

As many will remember, our old friend Nicki Stager has been here before, with her wildly successful solo show Synaesthesia. She'll be returning with her extremely popular cubes, all new pieces including some in an unprecedentedly large size. Our newer friend Michelle Hinebrook has been successful on our many art fair trips, and this is her first Like the Spice solo show. Her work has a sort of elusive geometry to it, some pieces reflect like a cut diamond, while others catch the eye like a fish in a net. We could not be more excited to host these two talented women in our gallery.

Be sure to come to our opening night party on Friday, December 18th starting at 6:00pm. And it's never to late to get in that RSVP for our Artist's Dinner, coming January 15th. Both Nicki and Michelle are teachers, so we're expecting to learn an awful lot!

Big Wheel Keep On Turnin'

Miami is done, but they're not home just yet. Marisa and the Like the Spice Mobile Unit are still out there, working their way up the interstates of America and fighting over who gets to use the backseat arm rest. If Marisa doesn't turn this thing around right now like she's threatening to do, we'll be welcoming our wandering lambs back in time for our next opening. But more on that in a bit. Right now, let's take a quick look at the excitement that was Miami 2009! From the very beginning!


Okay, well, the first leg of the trip wasn't that exciting. But by the time we made it down south, man, things started getting much more fun.






All that excitement! However, even bowling and roller coasters couldn't take our team's eyes off the goal. Miami! The home of the art world for one whole weekend! When we arrived, we were ready to rule, and the city seemed ready to have us. Just look at that architecture!



...and the way cooler view!


Oh, that view.

We chose our hotel to be extra-special, because it was not only our lodgings, but also, our exhibition space. Who says Like the Spice isn't original?


This year, Like the Spice showed its work in a more intimate setting, letting everyone take their time, and offering a chance to talk about the pieces face-to-face, rather than just shouting through a crowd. It was a nice escape from the hassles of racing through a busy fair, and it was also a lot of fun. Marisa and our Miami team was constantly on hand to answer questions and make sure people enjoyed themselves. After all, they were guests in our room! We wanted everyone treated just right, so made sure to prepare a special catered dinner party on the very last night. Collectors and hangers-on alke were able to just relax and enjoy. And it was fantastic.


The food was great, the company terrific, and we think that everyone agreed, it was just like one of our Monthly Dinners back home. Ah, home. By now, we could hear it calling to us. We had to accept that, as nice as Miami is, New York is where our little gallery wants to be. So it was time to say our goodbyes to the lovely city that treated us so well, and hit the road once more.



Did you make it to Miami? Did you make it to our hotel? We hope you did, but no matter what your answer, remember tht our special NotMiami2009 exhibit is still going strong in our Brooklyn gallery's downstairs level, right up until the very second Marisa returns! Come in and take a look at pieces from Rachel Beach, Allison Edge, Dean Goelz, Eric LoPresti, Ross Racine, and more.

And then what's coming, you ask? Why, just the beautiful Exposure, featuring the work of Michelle Hinebrook and Nicki Stager! Watch this space for more details in just a bit...

Excitement! Glamor! Miami! New York!

We've been all over the East Coast for the past week... and it shows! We've gotten some very nice press from some very nice people. Care to see? Of course you do!

Trendceteramag covered us here in New York, with a very nice review of Jenny and David's work. It includes spiffy sentences like this one:

Putting the two together, who are in many ways polar opposites, likely forced them to challenge themselves by stepping outside their boundaries. Jenny, with her precise ideas and mastery of form, and David, with his spontaneous approach and infectious personality, together result in a one unified passionate artist.

A review like that, you can't help but enjoy. Head over and check it out!

Then there was our dear friend Hrag Vartanian. He came all the way to Miami to see us, wasn't that nice? He even pretended to blog about many other exciting Miami events so no one would suspect. But don't worry, Hrag, we know you loved us best. It shows in sentences like this:

Always adventurous, Marisa chose to forge a new path away from the traditional art fair booth, and she moved her wares to a hotel suite on the South Beach strip where collectors, critics, and friends of Like the Spice could enjoy private viewings accompanied by wine and informal conversation — it was a lovely experience.

Hrag has a nice little review of the latest pieces from artist Rachel Beach as well, so be sure to take a look.

Finally, back on the homefront, we got a little shout-out from L Magazine. Great to know you stopped by, guys!

Remember, if you haven't yet seen Civil Union, you've only got one more weekend left. Make it count! Come and visit!