Jonathon Ortiz- Smykla and Evelyn Ortiz-Smykla chose the Northwood Village as the home of their new art gallery and frame shop.  This is a vibrant area with small shops, galleries and restaurants, known as “Historically Hip”.  The Rickie Report met this mother/son team just as the space was being painted and looks forward to their Grand Opening this week! This feature not only tells their story, but those of the artists who will help debut OSGS at the next Promenade Night of the Northwood neighborhood. See YOU at OSGS  Ortiz Smykla/Gallery-Studio February 22nd!

 

(561) 833-2223 / OSGSart@hotmail.com 500 Northwood Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Find OSGSart on Facebook and Twitter

 OSGS | Gallery Studio

Grand Opening

Friday February 22, 2013

6 – 9 pm

OSGS Ortiz-Smykla|Gallery-Studio invites you to their Grand Opening on Friday February 22nd from 6 – 9 pm.   It coincides with Northwood Villages’ Award Winning Art & Wine Promenade, a free event open to the public.  Details about Northwood Village’s events follow in this feature story.  The Rickie Report interviewed Jonathon and Evelyn to explore their backgrounds and their agenda for their new venture.  Also included are photographs of works by artists in their Grand Opening Exhibit.

Welcome to OSGS!

TRR: Please tell  our readers about each of your artistic backgrounds.

Jonathon:

I grew up with art appreciation through my family’s influence.  I was exposed to other cultures and the arts at a young age which also helped shape my desire and appreciation for creating art.  I earned a graduate degree in Landscape Architecture, Design and Construction.

The foundation for design and spatial relationships I learned through that process has helped me further my understanding and experimentation within my own design and artwork projects.

My efforts in a broad range of mediums allowed me to exhibit work in a variety of galleries and juried exhibitions.

I now look forward to continuing those efforts as well as provide a space for others here at OSGS to gain exposure and further their artistic paths.

Evelyn:

I hold an undergraduate degree in Art History and Fine Arts and a graduate degree in Library Studies focusing on archives and conservation with an emphasis on humanities and the arts.  I worked directly with Books Art faculty and interned at both the Bryant Museum and the Hoole Library (Private Collections, archives and conservation) at the University of Alabama.

I have painted acrylic abstract landscapes, created photographic images in black and white, and am a weaver.  As a fiber artist I have exhibited my work at the Kentuck Museum in Northport, AL where I showed my mohair, silk, linen, and cotton beaded shawls (crystals, rhinestones, and pearls) scarves, place mats and napkins.

After completing my graduate degree my goal was to continue as an artist and open my own gallery, but, life and other responsibilities got in the way of my personal dreams and passion for the arts. My art took a back seat to life’s other demands and adventures.

TRR: Why did you decide to open a gallery and how did you choose Northwood Village?

The two of us started talking about opening an art gallery, studio, and custom framing business a few years ago as Evelyn got closer to retirement as a federal law librarian and Jonathon gained experience with the south Florida art scene.

We watched local art galleries develop and grow and Jonathon was receiving important feedback from other artists and gallery owners that helped him grow as an artist.

Historic Northwood Village offered us what we had been looking for. The Old Northwood Historic District, the first in the city of West Palm Beach, is one of the most beautiful and friendly neighborhoods in West Palm Beach.  Its distinguished architecture, eclectic mix of residents, and friendly neighborhoods caught our imagination and entrepreneurial spirit.

The more we visited and talked with other gallery and shop owners the more we felt they supported one another.  The City’s commitment to support the monthly Art & Wine Promenade speaks volumes as to the growth in the District’s future and what that means for us as gallery owners. What more could we ask for!

The corner property we found , although it needed a lot of work,was a blessing.  Lots of elbow grease, muscle, and late nights paid off.  Residents, artists, and patrons who visit us remark on the transformation.

Thanks to our parallel love of art and career choices everything came together at exactly the perfect time.  So here at OSGS (Ortiz | Smykla | Gallery | Studio …Works of Art and Custom Framing) in Historic Northwood Village we share our passion for the arts and meet incredibly talented and generous artists.

TRR: What types of artwork are you showing?  

OSGS is currently showing a range of art that includes paintings (figurative and abstract), sculpture, jewelry, glass art, pottery, and prints.  We do not want to limit the type of work we exhibit.

Instead we are after quality – keep the overall body of work strong and within an intimate, open gallery setting.  We want our patrons to come in and enjoy not only the quality of work we exhibit but also the space in which it is being exhibited.

TRR: Will the Gallery be interested in offering SOLO exhibits?  

The Gallery will be available for Solo exhibits as well as shows directed at specific areas such as figurative, landscapes, photos, 3 dimensional art, fiber arts, etc.

We are also planning juried shows and exhibits to encourage new expression.

Unlike some galleries we ask each artist to commit to staying with us for a 3 month period in order that we get to know them and they get to know us.

During this time we feel we can properly promote each artist’s talents and work through our website, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as give them the opportunity to participate in the monthly Art & Wine Promenade here in the Village and Friday Night Strolls.

TRR: How does an artist contact you to show and sell their art?

We prefer to be contacted by email (OSGSart@hotmail.com) with a brief description of the artist and their work.  Email is a great tool to show us samples of art by attaching photos or providing their personal web addresses.

The next step is to speak in person, preferably by appointment at the Gallery with samples of their work in hand.  Not only do we get to meet, but the artist can see our space, what we have available, and experience Northwood firsthand if they have never done so.

TRR: How do you imagine using your gallery space to reach out to the community?  

Our Gallery is available for charitable events and private special functions.  We support individual charities of our choice and have for many years; as a result we realize the importance of having the right space for such events.

TRR: Are you offering classes?

We plan to offer classes but not at this time.  It is an option we have thought about since we both engage in diverse art mediums.

Teaching helps to keep your skills honed and your creativity growing and emerging.  Working with others is an incredible service that brings a great deal of gratification for both the student and instructor.

TRR: Tell us more about your custom framing offerings…will you frame a diploma? Only fine art?

Custom framing was an idea born from the need we discovered that artists and the general public have here in the Village.  A creative venture in its own right, it was just the right fit for us.

What is great about custom framing is the ability to see a variety of items that people bring in that need to be preserved.  We are available to frame just about any item.  The process of framing is an art form which most people do not realize.

The design and thought that happens between framers and their clients are what help create and enhance the unframed product.  Photography, prints, posters, certificates, memorabilia, and antiquities are just samples of what we hope to enhance through our framing services.

As a special service to our customers we are also available to go to their homes and look at their décor, color scheme and room where the item or art work will be hanging to better customize their choices.

TRR: OSGS means that this will also be a studio – will Jonathon be painting here?

Yes, Jonathon plans on creating works of art in our studio space.  He recently used the studio to create a painting commissioned by a client in Coco Beach.

Presently he is working to have his screen printing materials in place to produce flat stock art prints and to further poster commissions.

TRR: Anything I didn’t ask that you want our readers to know?

We are artists and understand the constraints and demands of such a career choice.  Networking, mentoring, and assisting one another is what we are here for.  We want our artists to get plenty of exposure and help them wherever and whenever we can.

We also want to make ourselves available to those who want to learn the business of gallery owner and/or custom framer by recruiting volunteers and interns from the community colleges, universities, and private art classes.

Northwood Village Art and Wine Promenade:  On the last Friday of every month from 6-9 pm their streets are filled with people enjoying the art scene that abounds around the galleries.  It is free and open to the public. There will be over 30 street-side artist trunk shows, live bands, entertainment, complimentary wine tastings and more.  The shops will offer special discounts and this week you can stroll by and meet Mo & Sally from Kool 105.5 and much more!  There are three locations of live entertainment with a new main center stage performance area on the corner of Spruce and Northwood Road.

For more information call the Art & Wine Promenade Event Hotline at (561)822-1551. Don’t miss this FREE event! Northwood Village is located one mile north of Palm Beach Lakes Blvd on Dixie Hwy. Free and valet parking available. event parking located on 24th street, 25th street, lot on 23rd street and throughout the village!  Free Rides! Catch the Village Bus to & from the Downtown Library from 5:30-10:00pm. 

http://www.northwoodvillage.org/events/

 

For more information about OSGS|Studio Gallery call  561-833-2223 or email  OSGSart@hotmail.com and visit www.OSGSart.com.   Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OSGSart

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291