AVS ART Gallery
Andrew Van Sickle opened AVS ART Gallery in April 2008 with the two-fold goal of exhibiting Pop Art-influenced and outsider work of local and national interest and cultivating the next generation of art collectors. For the past six months, the gallery has achieved this through a combination of clever, fun group exhibits and unique special events such as the recent blogger party. The gallery's next exhibit, entitled Up in the Air, promises to fulfill both goals.
Opening on Saturday, 18 Oct 2008, Up in the Air will feature the work of fifteen national artists with roots in graffiti and other forms of street art, some of whom were included in the seminal Beautiful Losers exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Center in 2004. Indeed, artist Jason Brunson, who curated Up in the Air with owner Andrew Van Sickle, was involved with Beautiful Losers. Participating artists include: Ewok, Biff Baxter, Dalek, Jesse Geller, Brett Ryan, Jason Brunson, Tony Curanaj, Richard Coleman, Josh Lazcano, Chris Gliebe, Lydia Fong, Carter Gilliss, and Stephen Powers.
This Saturday's opening reception is scheduled for 7-10 pm. Up in the Air includes approximately 40 pieces, as well as an on-site collaboration among six of the exhibiting artists, which will be unveiled Thursday, 23 Oct, 7-10 pm. Up in the Air will be up through the end of October. The timing of the exhibit coincides with Scribble Jam [23-26 Oct], an annual event known as "America's Largest Hip Hop Festival" which has been taking place right here in Cincinnati for the past 10 years.
AVS Art's location on funky West 4th St. downtown adds a much-needed injection of art to an already eclectic mix of businesses, including unheardof and Bang night club. Indeed, according to VanSickle, West 4th was a thriving arts district during the 1970s and 1980s, and he believes the timing is right for a resurgence of the independent arts scene downtown. The space was also the location of the Linda Schwartz Gallery. VanSickle is optimistic about the refurbished Fountain Square a few blocks away, more people moving downtown, and increased events and destinations in the area.
Already, events at AVS ART have drawn big crowds, and the work in recent exhibits has been generating an excited buzz. An upcoming show of artist-decorated skateboards is sure to continue to build the gallery's reputation for street-infused creative provocation. And, in just a few short months, VanSickle has managed to single-handedly generate sizable attention for West 4th St. In fact, local art critic Sara Pearce dubbed him "the master of spin."
Andrew VanSickle's own career has been strongly shaped by his early relationship with outsider artist Rev. Howard Finster. The Toledo native lived in Finster's Paradise Garden in Summerville, Georgia in 1987, where he was encouraged to start painting. He considers Finster to have been a mentor figure to him, and his own curatorial history includes two celebrations of the artist's work -- 1987's Howard Finster: Man of Visions at the University of Cincinnati the recent Weeping Supergirl and the Outsiders, which included Finster's work, at AVS ART.
Other outsider and folk artists VanSickle has befriended over the years include Mose Tolliver, R.A. Miller, Billie Lemming, and Rev. B.F. Perkins. In 1989, he met Paul Warhola, Andy Warhol's older brother, and became his creative director and manager. Throughout his career, VanSickle, who holds a BA in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati, has collaborated with folk artists and has developed a reputation as their "idea" person. Art direction experience at Club Clau helped to fine-tune VanSickle's approach to the cross-promotion of visual culture, as well as his two-pronged dedication to the development of younger art collectors and increased exposure for emerging artists. He has also curated exhibits, obviously paving the way for the opening of his own gallery.
VanSickle's own art, which has been displayed at AVS ART, is fueled by both a strong sense of color and what he calls "false gods of the American experience," including real and fictitious pop cultural icons. "Real or not, the American fantasy of pop culture is what fuels Americans' positive thoughts." Sexed-up vamps with exaggerated proportions are a recurring subject, whether it's the Weeping Supergirl motif for which he's become known, or Britney Spears in her slightly younger, perkier years. Over all, the work is vibrant and cartoonish, and perhaps somewhat cynical. It is also the perfect complement to the sleek, pristinely white gallery space VanSickle has created.
Despite his boundless enthusiasm for his gallery as a Cincinnati art scene catalyst, VanSickle won't give away too many details about upcoming exhibits. In addition to the above-mentioned skateboard show, expect more Pop-influenced group exhibits showcasing local and national artists, and more opportunities to see artists from Visionaries & Voices, a top area arts non-profit with which VanSickle has been involved. Just don't expect safe art; VanSickle's vision is here to push the boundaries of the sometimes stodgy local arts scene.
Perfect for?
Anyone curious about contemporary art
Where to get it?
315 West 4th St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513.328.3456
http://avsart.com
How much?
Prices for art vary widely, but gawking is always free.
Local Flavor: Mt. Adams
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is celebrating its 33rd year in downtown Cincinnati this weekend. It seems tradition that every year is bigger than the last, and this year's prospective 500,000 visitors, hundreds of kegs, and slew of German food has BuyCincy writers counting down the days (72 hours, or 4,320 minutes, or 259,200 seconds). 
There are several seating options, from diner booths to beautiful wooden benches, but the coveted spot is in the rear courtyard, where stimulating conversation mixes with the sounds of birds, and the dappled shade offers respite from the late-summer heat.
Currently, the hours of operation are 6-10pm Monday-Friday, and 12-5pm Saturday-Sunday, but they will soon be extended. Mike is open to possibly hosting poetry readings and acoustic music events in the future. (Above, plans are discussed for 
Greetings from Findlay Market
What's the deal?
