Best of Show

Leslie Nichols's work receives Best of Show!!

The Beauty of the Mind, is a 42 x 30" work-on-paper created with graphite and oil-based ink. The quotes used in the background are from advocates for girl's education in the 18th and 19th century. This is the first piece in Leslie Nichols's newest body of work exploring the early women's rights movement and the roots of American feminism.

Warren Greene, Assistant Professor and Gallery Director at Austin Peay State University, juried this years All Kentucky Juried Show, which runs through January 3, 2011.

Capitol Arts Alliance
416 East Main Street
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
(270)-782-ARTS x 105
Monday-Friday 9-4:30

Exhibition in NYC! from the tongue

from the tongue...
an exhibition of works on paper and/or fiber exploring the use of text and language.
Curated by Joetta Maue
June 24-August 6 2010
Opening Reception Thursday, June 24, 8-10pm.
34 North Moore St/Lotus Gallery Space, Tribeca, NY, NY

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Artists include:
Allison Manch, Audrey Manning, Bren Ahearn, Bridget Franckowiak, Brooke Holloway,Drucilla Pettibone, Elana Adler, Ellen Schinderman, Eloise de Hauteclocque, Eric Johanni, Grant Olsen, Iviva Olenick, Jamie Chalmers, Jee Hwang, Jennifer Hunold, Jung Eun Park, Katrina Eaton, Kirsten Rae Simonsen, Kristen Wulff, Lathorial Badenhausen, Leila Daw, Leslie Nichols, Marcy Chevali, Marilyn Henrion, Mary Coss, Nathalia Cortada, Orly Cogan, Richard Saja, Rubi McGrory, Sarah Bahr, Susan Moss, Susan Sharman, Tricia L. Johnson

Get all details for the show as well as follow links to all included artists at: http://connectivethread.blogspot.com/.

The opening includes an incredible variety of work from large scale embroideries to tiny samplers, crochet works, sculpture, live performance, and works on paper that all explore the role and power of text in contemporary culture.

New Affiliation with Ellis Walker Gallery

Great News, Leslie has several works on display at Ellis Walker Gallery. She is very excited to start a relationship with South Central Kentucky's newest gallery. This gallery is featured in the Bowling Green Gallery Hop, which takes place five times a year. For more information download a map here.

Ellis Walker Gallery shares space with MacKenzie’s and is located in Thoroughbred Square Shopping center behind Rafferty’s. The gallery features and promotes the work of local artists or artists who have original roots in South Central Kentucky and/or affiliated with WKU. On display & for sale are the works of late Joe Downing of Menerbes France, Ivan Schieferdecker, Laurin Notheisen, Kim and David Jones of Bowling Green, KY, Alston Johnston of Venice Italy and many others from the area.

1945 Scottsville Road
270.782.6954
Hours:Mon.-Fri. 9:30am-5pm, Sat. 10am-2pm
EllisWalker.com

Studio News: Spring Update

This spring has been a busy one! The garden in planted and school is out.

Mike has been tenured and promoted to Associate Professor at Western Kentucky University-Congrats!! Besides this news and exhibiting on both coasts this spring, he has been completely occupied with fresco. The 300 foot buon fresco he is creating on Western's campus has been framed out and prepped. With the help of students and apprentices the first two layers of plaster have been applied and are ready for the final layers of plaster and finally pigment. You can keep updated on the project on the fresco project blog

Leslie has been awarded a Professional Development Grant from the Kentucky Arts Council. This grant has helped her print promotional materials apply for exhibitions. In late June she will be heading to Hopscotch House for a studio residency where she will begin her new series of work. A TV production crew visited the studio yesterday interviewing Leslie and filming her while working on typewriter portrait. She will be featured on KET in a small segment produced by a very talented crew! We will keep you updated on when that segment airs.

Two upcoming juried exhibits

"Obfuscate" pastel on paper

Two of Mike's pastel drawings were selected to be included in the Sixth Annual Northeast National Pastel Exhibition hosted by The Arts Guild of Old Forge, Old Forge, New York. Juror: Lorenzo Chavez


"Michelle Affresco" traditional buon fresco


Mike's fresco Michelle Affresco was selected to be included in the 45th Annual Central South Art Exhibition at the Tennessee Art League Galleries in Nashville Tennessee. The show opens on May 1st and will close on June 25th. Juror Anne Bagby.

Juried Exhibition at Solano Community College

Leslie and Mike's works were selected for inclusion in the Open Juried Exhibition in the Dorothy Herger Gallery at Solano Community College, Fairfield, California. Leslie's work Changeable, and Mike's works Lakshmi and Subsist were juried in by Oakland artist Luz Marina Ruiz.

President's Purchase Award!

Leslie Nichols' work titled Identity was chosen for the President's Purchase Award (underwritten by Jeanne and Dr. J. Leslie Wyatt) in the 2010 Delta National Small Print Exhibition. Leslie's work is now part of the permanent collection of Arkansas State University, Jonesboro AR. 

Her work was also prominently displayed on  the exhibition catalog's front cover. 

David W. Kiehl, curator of prints at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, wrote the following about Leslie's piece: 

"Identity is a convenient catch-all for defining so much art over the last decade. Leslie Nichols successfully uses the word itself to create a portrait. The layering and size variations of the individual letters, coupled with modulated inking of the matrix, create the substance of her portrait. I like the use of stencils and graphite to title the work in the area to the left of the head."

Creative Inquiries

Creative Inquiries Exhibition

January 25 2010 - February 19 2010

Two of Mike's works are included in "Creative Inquiries", a juried exhibit hosted by Eastern Kentucky University. Eastern Kentucky University's Chautauqua Lecture Series and the Department of Art & Design are jointly sponsoring this exhibition.

Giles Gallery, Department of Art & Design, 309 Campbell Bldg. E.K.U. 521 Lancaster Ave. Richmond, KY.

2010 Delta National Small Prints Exhibition

On Display Now:

Leslie's work “Identity” has been selected by David Kiehl, Curator of Prints at the Whitney Museum of American Art for the 2010 Delta National Small Prints Exhibition. This nationally competitive exhibition is hosted by the Bradbury Gallery at Arkansas State University.

The exhibition dates are January 21 through February 21 2010.

Calligram Designers

Calligram Designers is a group of graphic designers, artists, illustrators and writers. In this blog you can view some of the best examples of calligrams from all over the world, from of any era. You can find examples of Leslie Nichols' text-based portraits and landscapes featured in December of 2009. 

Kentucky Visions

Mike has been invited to participate in the upcoming "Kentucky Visions" exhibit. His work Truncate/Rotate will be on display January 5-April 15 2010 at the House and Senate Offices in Kentucky's State Capital, Frankfort. 

Leslie Nichols wins a Merit Award

Leslie won a Merit Award, in memory of Mahalia Alexander Womack, for her reduction print titled Belvoir in the 2009 All-Kentucky Juried Fine Arts Exhibition juried by Vanderbilt Professor Marilyn Murphy. 

Fresco Workshop at University of Evansville

Michael Nichols conducted a one day Fresco Workshop for The Society of Art History and Archeology at the University of Evansville, Indiana. Participants had a hands on experience creating small tile frescoes.

World's Greatest Studio Tour: A great turnout

What: The World's Greatest Studio Tour

When: Saturday, November 7, 10am-5pm & Sunday November 8, 1pm-5pm

Where: Over 20 studios and galleries in Bowling Green and Alvaton, Kentucky

Leslie Nichols displayed at Fleur Whitaker's studio with Fleur Whitaker and Lynette Frey Haggbloom

There was a great turnout with visitors from all over country! Leslie sold a dozen pieces so there is plenty of room in the studio for new works.

Michael Nichols Pastels:

Michael Nichols Pastels
October 25 – December 18, 2009

Doris Ulmann Galleries

Berea College

Berea, Kentucky 40404

859.985.3000

Exhibition opens Friday October 23!!

Typewritten drawing in Savannah Georgia

Leslie Nichols' typewritten drawing Isabel will be featured in the group juried exhibition "Show & Tell". This exhibition will be held at Desotorow's Truspace in Savannah, Georgia.

Opening Reception Oct 23, 6-9pm.

Show & Tell is a juried group exhibition featuring narrative work by:

Lynda Burbank
Charles Caldemeyer
Angela Cazel Jahn
Sara Frankel
Dan Hernandez
Elizabeth Kellogg
Joseph Mougel
Ashley Nason
Erika Navarrete
Leslie Nichols
Dustin M. Price
Mike Stephens
Adam Gabriel Winnie

Truspace

2427 De Soto Avenue

Savannah, GA 31401

Sun-Wed, Fri 2-5; Sat 10-2

912-335-8204
info@desotorow.org

John Brown University acquires a Mike Nichols original drawing

"Figures in Flux" is over, but one of Mike Nichols' drawings is staying behind. John Brown University Department of Visual Arts will purchase Mike's pastel drawing "Residence-Resonance" for their permanent collection. It is a honor to have a piece included this department's collection.

Tableaux features Fontbonne Alums Mike and Leslie Nichols

Fontbonne University's Tableaux features an article about alums Leslie and Mike Nichols in the September 2009. Both artists completed their degrees at Fontbonne – Leslie with a bachelor’s in fine arts and Mike with his master’s degrees.

Online Article
Link to download September 2009 Tableaux

People's Choice Award at Summer's End Art Show in Scottsville, Kentucky

Leslie Nichols' painting Ahumument was awarded the 2009 People's Choice Award at the Scottsville Art Guild's 19th Annual Summer's End Art Show. Thanks to all the kind people who voted for her painting. Along with this honor, she received first place in the professional categories of Acrylic and Black and White. This exhibition was made possible by the Laura G. Turner Charitable Foundation.