Prima Gallery

The pots we use in our home are like stage sets. At rest on a table, dish drainer, or in a cupboard, they are visually engaging. Through use they provide access to other activities: gathering food from the garden, cooking, conversation, dining, arrangement of flowers, sorting of papers. This daily relationship with the pots offers up both utility and continual visual inquiry. Like a stage set, the pot has an ability to disappear and then reappear.

Linda Christianson is a well-known and respected Minnesota studio potter and pottery instructor. She received her BA in Studio Art from Hamine University in St. Paul where she also participated in their Graduate Apprentice program. She pursued further practical experience through a Ceramic Studio Workshop program at the Banff Centre School for Fine Arts. Her work has been widely exhibited across the country and around the world. Linda has also taught in many centers for ceramic arts and her reputation as an educator puts her much in demand for her workshops in functional pottery, surface decoration, and wood-firing techniques.

The flowers are in full bloom, the vegetables look ready to eat, the beach scenes beckon, and there is a glimpse of European travels, all inviting the viewer to "Through the Lens 11," photography by Anne Holland. Anne Holland has returned to The Stable for the second time in the last three years to exhibit her photographs.

The exhibit is Holland’s second at The Stable. There are 45 new pictures in this show.

"I sold 40 pictures at the two-hour reception at The Stable in January 2007," Holland said.

Holland’s life as a photographer began eight years ago. She was moving from her home in Wilton, Conn., to a condo in Danbury, Conn.

"When we put our house on the market I made a little photo book of our perennial gardens. Then it took off from there," she said. "I started making greeting cards with my photos and now my total sales of cards is 11,000."

When she first started taking photos, she borrowed her son’s camera; now she uses a Canon film camera and also has a small camera in her car.

Holland discovered The Stable while visiting her daughter’s family, who are village residents.

"There is nothing like this [The Stable] in Connecticut. It’s my favorite space," she said.

It takes five to six months to prepare for the show, she said.

Morning and evening are the best times to photograph, for the light, commented Holland. She said flowers are her favorite thing to photograph, especially roses.

"Wagon/flowers" was photographed in Palm Desert, Calif., with most of the floral photos shot in Descanso Gardens. "Yellow tulips," "Pink/yellow poppy," "Sunflowers," "Sepia rose," "Peach poppy," "Orange tulips," "Gerber daisy," "Orange zinnia," and "Purple daisy" are also being displayed. Orchids were photographed at the New York Botanical Gardens, as was Chihuly glass. A photo of water lilies was also taken at the Botanical Gardens.

During a trip to Siena, Italy, hats and the flowers adorning them hung outside of a flower shop that caught Holland’s eye.

"Whenever I shoot, I have an idea what people are looking for," she said.

"Blue/yellow pansy" was photographed in Myrtle Beach.

"Restaurant/bike" and "Pizza restaurant" show street scenes in Rome. The Food Court in Barcelona provided vibrant colors for "Cherries/peaches," "Radishes" and "Tomatoes/garlic." "Peppers/lemons" was photographed in Corsica.

Holland called "Tart," taken at Zabar’s Bakery in Grand Central Station, a fun food shot.

Beach scenes photos in the exhibit include "Pilings/seagulls," and "Two canoes" from Martha’s Vineyard, with "Sea shells" her granddaughter brought from Cape Cod. Atlantic City, Myrtle Beach, Cape May and Westport, Mass., also provided interesting shots. She photographed "The Alabama Pilot Boat," an early 1900s vessel, while on a ferry from Oak Bluffs in Martha’s Vineyard.

There is also a look at an Annapolis, Md. home called "Green Shutters."

Holland’s greeting cards are sold throughout Fairfield, Conn., and her photographs are on display at businesses in both Connecticut and New Jersey.

She is a member of the Candlewood Camera Club of Connecticut and has received outstanding achievement awards from the International Society of Photographers, first place in Westport magazine’s photo contest, and first place in the Orlando Sentinel’s photo contest. Her exhibits have been featured at Candlewood Camera Club and three libraries. She will be displaying at another library in April.

With the economy going in a downward spiral more everyday, technology is not helping the situation. Of course, everyone loves the fact that technology is improving their iPods and their digital cameras, but is anybody looking at the bigger picture? Big cities usually have a large variety of shops and stores for tourism and everyday economic growth.  Recently, taking a drive down a typically busy road consists of empty stores (that can’t afford to be torn down), or stores that are struggling with insane sales to regain the popularity they once had. Of course, it’s easy to blame the economy for everything but the fact is that technology isn’t helping out to fix the problem either.

Within the past year companies have sold their stores or combined them with other companies in order to stay in business. Others have completely shut down and went out of business due to rivalry prices and stores. Blockbuster appears to be one of the stores possibly starting out in a battle to keep up their stores and business. This of course is partly because of the new red boxes placed everywhere you turn. As a matter of fact, the new red box and Netflix, is not only easy to use, but it’s fairly cheap. Up till recently, Blockbuster did not have anything like that anywhere. Now Blockbuster has gone with the new ages and put some of their own boxes up in order to keep their business. That’s not all! Not only has technologies new advances in renting films changed Blockbuster’s way of doing things, it has also caused them to have to close some of the stores in certain locations in order to keep up the few that are actually still receiving business.

Don’t feel bad for Blockbuster, because they aren’t the only ones going through tough times right now. Since there are, in fact, new advances in technology, the need for employees is obviously going to be unnecessary. Being that one can just go up to a simple little box and make a selection with a swipe of their credit card hardly needs any assistance from an (on the clock employee). Of course, they aren’t taking all the jobs. They still need someone once a week to go and put in the new movies to enhance the boxes movie selection.

Retail isn’t the only career being hit with job taking technology. In fact, the medical field is taking a beating as well. With technology becoming part of everyday life, medical records within the next few years are going to be virtual records rather than being on file. Of course, one argument would be that doctors can easily carry around the records with them while walking through the hospital. The big con is hackers. Privacy is a big issue as it is without the records being placed out in the open. This idea most likely will affect the jobs of many being that doctors can easily add to or adjust the records as he/she’s visiting with the patient.

What does this mean for the future? Will all the jobs be taken by machines that don’t require pay and work 24 hours a day? Will all the remaining employed citizens have to work for lower wages just to keep their jobs? Is it even about money anymore? One thing is for certain; the only thing to do is to wait and see what the future holds.

#1 2009's World-Beating Blue Diamond Ring

The top spot, perhaps unsurprisingly goes to a blue diamond. Master jewellers Chopard set the flawless oval gemstone into a ring consisting of a diamond band set in white gold. Blue diamonds rarely occur in nature, and are caused by traces of boron in diamond's lattice structure.

Diamonds lacking visible nitrogen impurities, which tend to discolour them with a dirty yellow tinge, are rarer still. This one is a vibrant icy blue.

The most famous blue diamond in the world, the Hope Diamond, named after one of its owners of that name, now resides in the Smithsonian museum. It was once set in a necklace by Louis XV, and was supposed to be cursed, with the many supposed victims of the curse including Marie Antoinette.

The curse was a complete fabrication, based on the false idea that it had been one of two eyes of a statue in a Hindu temple, but this was never the case. 

The Hope is actually greyer than the subject of this list which, whilst not showy, is impossible to ignore. It resembles an engagement ring which, whilst a fairly hefty investment, would be unlikely to be greeted with a 'no'. It is valued at £9.8m. #2 Heart of the Kingdom Ruby

British jewellers Garrard have set this patriotically named piece on a diamond necklace. The central jewel weighs a substantial 40.63 carats (eight and one eight grams) and derives from Burma. The clear, deep red gem has been cut with a small dint at the top to yield the shape referred to by the name.

Burma has been the source of other great rubies, notably the DeLong Star ruby which now resides in the American Museum of Natural History.

That ruby was once stolen, ransomed for $25,000 and dropped off in a phone booth. This one would likely fetch more, being valued at £8.48m.

#3 The Winston Earrings

The famous jeweller Harry Winston of California loans out close to $1bn worth of jewellery to stars for Oscar night. It should therefore be no surprise to see his name associated with a piece on this list.

The 2006 earrings, which are set in platinum, are accurately described as 'Diamond Drop', in reference to the sizeable droplets of white diamond hanging free from somewhat smaller diamonds above.

They weigh 60.1 carats between them and are valued at £5.25m. And no, you have to buy them as a pair.

#4 2007's Greatest Blue Diamond Ring

The then record breaking price of £4.84m was obtained for a flawless fancy vivid blue diamond set in a simple ring in Hong Kong. The squarish cut gem which weighs 6.04 carats has an unusual dark hue and is particularly sparkling.

#5 Beyoncé and Jay Z's wedding ring

Lorraine Schwartz provided an 18 carat emerald cut diamond-in-platinum ring to seal the knot between the stars.

#6 Paris' Diamond Engagement Ring

The ring which was intended to unite the two Paris heirs: Hilton and her then fiancé, shipping millionaire Paris Latsis is 24 carat emerald cut, and thought to be worth £2.85m.

#7 De Beers 'Marie Antoinette' Diamond necklace

De Beers think that the famous French queen would have loved its 181 carats necklace with a mix of cut white and fancy vivid coloured diamonds down the centre. The price tag is £2.24m.

#8 Fergie's wedding Necklace

The Black Eyed Peas singer topped off her wedding with a gold necklace heavily slung with diamonds, designed by H Stern - a small matter of £1.92m.

#9 The Chopard Haute Joaillerie Diamond and Emerald necklace

The alternating of clear white and deep green gems gives a beautiful, shimmering, watery effect. The 191 carats of Columbian emeralds dominate the rose cut diamonds, and the effect is impossible to ignore, even from the far side of a room.

Although not officially priced, they would be expected to sell for £1.85m #10 Tiffany's Majestic Diamond Pendant

With an attention-seizing main pear-shaped white diamond of 41.4 carats surrounded by smaller, clear circular and pear diamonds, Tiffany's proudest neckwear seems something of a bargain at £1.54m.

With all the galleries sprouting up along H Street NE, the neighborhood may be on its way to becoming Washington's next big arts district, and another addition this weekend will certainly help the area's credibility. G Fine Art, formerly housed along 14th Street, is taking up residence in the up-and-coming neighborhood.

The gallery celebrates its move to Northeast Washington on Saturday with a new exhibition and an opening reception. The work of A.B. Miner goes on display in "Naked," a show that strips down in more ways than one. In one diptych, Miner pulls back the curtain on his creative process, while a massive 12-panel painting shows a year in the life of a post-surgery expanse of skin from a landscape of stitches to a healed, though scarred, chest. Meanwhile the video piece "Fly 08" -- a riff on Yoko Ono's "Fly" -- features the interaction between an insect and a reclining nude figure.

GLASSBORO Rowan University's High Street Gallery will welcome ceramic exhibits to its space in downtown Glassboro beginning March 24 and continuing through April 3.Ê

A joint opening reception will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 25.Ê Rowan student ceramist Emiley Ross of Millington will be exhibiting work in her show "The Main Course" along with the ceramic works of Professor Joe Gower's students in a show titled "Rowan University Student Ceramic Exhibition."Ê

"My senior show is focusing on simplicity and functionality," Ross says. "I want viewers to look at my ceramics and pay more attention to the form and shapes, rather than the glaze and colors. My pieces in the show emphasize curving lines and full-figured forms."

Gower's group show is an exhibition of student work from the Rowan University ceramics department. "Rowan University Student Ceramic Exhibition" presents works by Sarah Ginder, Brian Rowan, Jason Trautz, Brenda Kele, Will Ott, Jane Choi, Colleen Bialecki, Scott Middleton and Mike Mergner.

High Street Gallery is a student-run and operated gallery space dedicated to assisting Rowan University's student artists in gaining valuable experience in exhibiting their work. The gallery is located at 11 E. High St., and is open Wednesday through Friday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m

Police have arrested two men in connection with $4,200 worth of graffiti damage throughout the city of Pittsburgh.

Police said their investigation began when graffiti displaying “CCK,” “3311,” “DRAMA” and "SLAVE” started appearing in the city in October 2008.

Police concluded that “CCK” was an abbreviation for “Crazy Cracka Killas,” a known graffiti group. Police said “3311” was the numerical value of each first letter in the alphabet, with both Cs equaling a “3” and K equaling “11.”

In February 2009, police said the graffiti was found in a men’s bathroom stall at a restaurant. The IDs of those inside were checked and Stephen Wadlow, of Pittsburgh, and Patrick Walsh, of Dormont, both 22 years old, were identified as suspects.

Police said both were interviewed the following month and received summons arrests.

Police said the men were responsible for damage to 10 different sites in the city, totaling $4,200.

Both men have been charged with $2,100 in damages and face seven counts each of criminal mischief.

Being an artist myself, I know how hard it can be to sell your art in the real world that is one reason you might what to try to sell your art online. A few years ago I decided to start selling my art online and I’m glad I did. Now, I’m not getting rich doing this, but I have made more sells online than I ever did in the real world. Plus I don’t have schlep my artwork from place to place.

Lets just take a look at some reasons you should consider selling your art online.

Convenience In the real world you have to sale your art in galleries, art festivals, fairs, libraries or any place that will allow you to place your art and sell it. Now consider you have to pack up your artwork and carry it to these places and in some of cases hung the work yourself. Also consider that the pieces that don’t sale you have to take them down, pack them up and carry them back to your home or studio

However, when you sell your art online you just put up some photos of your artwork on a website with some information on the size, medium and price and depending on where you put it you may be able to keep your artwork there indefinitely. Even if the artwork doesn’t sale on a site where it has to be removed, all you have to remove is a photo and some information. No packing and no carrying bulky paintings back and forth.

You Have Total Control By selling your art online you take over total control of your art career. No more middlemen telling you how much to price your art for and then taking a cut of your money when the art sells. Galleries will take anywhere from a 40 to 50% cut of your art sales. Art Festivals will charge any where from $200 to $500 fees just to be in the festival and demand that you have a certain amount of inventory, which you have to pay for. If you don’t sell anything at the festival you are just out all of that money.

If you sell your art online you can decide when where and how long you have your art up on a website and although there are some sites that may charge you to have your art on them, most of the places are free and the ones that do charge it’s usually a very small amount. Also most places where you can sell your art online will let you set your own price and won’t charge you a commission. So you can keep 100% of your art sells. Also on most places that allow you to put art on their sites, you can put up as many or as little as you want.

A Worldwide Customer Base When selling your art in the real world your art sales are usually limited to the place where your art is at the moment. If you are exhibiting at a gallery your art sales are limited to that gallery and the people that come into that gallery. If your art is being shown at a fair your art sales are limited to the people that see your art at that fair. I think you get the picture. For the must part in the real world your art sales is going to be limited to local or regional sales.

On the Internet you have a worldwide audience to market your art to. Because of selling my art online I now have my artwork in Japan, France, Great Britain, Canada and other places that I would not have been able to reach in the real world. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world you will be able to reach people from different countries. An artist in Italy can sell a piece of art to a buyer Russia or an artist in India can sell a painting to a buyer in the United States. Your online presence is your art gallery to the world.

Kazuri jewellery is hand made in Kenya by local women. The fair trade Jewellery made by Kazuri is bright and vibrant, Kazuri is a Swahili word meaning 'small and beautiful'. The jewellery definitely lives up to its name, every piece is made from many individual beads that are all 'small and beautiful'. Each bead is carefully hand-crafted by one of 400 women who create the jewellery in a small village outside Nairobi. The jewellery is made from ceramic, the process involves forming clay into beads, firing them and then hand glazing them with a vibrant range of different coloured paints, firing them again before stringing.

The Kazuri enterprise was started in 1975 by Lady Susan Wood. Lady Wood was born in a mud hut in the Belgian Congo to missionary parents. From a young age she was accustomed to living under difficult circumstances, a year after her birth her parents decided to return to England. To make this journey they had to travel on foot across central Africa, to board a steamer to Alexandria and then another boat to England. She and her siblings remained in England at boarding school whilst her parents returned to the Congo. During the second world war she trained at Oxford as a nurse, this is where she met Michael Wood who she would later marry.

How did you used to make products before Ponoko?

The process for constructing the finished jewelry it much the same – my two hands + materials. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today if I hadn’t dabbled with all sorts of jewelry making processes – from bead weaving, glass fusing, lampworking, Precious Metal Clay (PMC) to metal-smithing. I’ve tried it all.

As my style evolved, I increasingly became frustrated with pre-made components. Everyone had the same box of crayons, it seemed, and I wanted to do something to express my own style and set myself apart from the pack.

How would you describe your design process?

I have little scraps of paper floating around with ideas I thought were just fantastic. Some of them are…and some of them are indecipherable now! I consider myself quite fortunate that I have inspiration around me daily – between my job as curator in a history museum and my typography obsessed graphic designer husband I swear it’s coming out my ears.

Stage two is doodling. Or half doodling. One reason you never see my doodles is that I am incapable of drawing things symmetrically. So I work in halves, quarters, thirds – whatever my design needs – then I take it to the computer to mirror it to see the complete design, trace it, and see what I think. If it’s good, I will spend hours, if not days, obsessing over every single anchor and bezier curve until the design is to my satisfaction. “Nudge” is my friend.

What are your material preferences?

I mainly use acrylic, black, for my jewelry. I really like the simplicity of it, the shininess of it, and the consistent quality and strength. I also am in love with bamboo. I love that it is a renewable resource, and how amazingly lightweight it is. Some of my products, like the Mustache Love Pin look smashing in the wood grain.

Have you been surprised by anything in the Ponoko process?

I’m continually surprised by how much I love being a Prime customer! I order maybe once a month, and it’s absolutely worth it to me. Also, I was surprised that there is steady traffic (and buyers!) to the Ponoko showroom. A pair of my earrings made into Lucky magazine thanks to it. I need to get better about utilizing it more!