May U Live 2 See the Dawn

I've written so many times about my icon of icons, Prince. If you are a long time reader of this blog you can probably imagine how I must be feeling at the moment. My life has not come to a halt, as I didn't personally know the man, but I have shed a few tears and am deeply saddened to know that I will never again feel the excitement of standing a few feet or rows away, seeing him work his magic on a stage. I will never await, with anticipation, the release of new purple music. I will never again be inspired by a Prince song, just written. I am thankful for the vast catalog he left behind and what might be to come if the vaults are opened and its contents released.

Farewell, Prince.

May U Live 2 See the Dawn (Farewell, Prince)
acrylic and ink on canvas, 16" x 20", original and prints available.

Limited edition prints available.

Mr. John's Summer Art Camp @ 5663

My Summer Art Camp will kick off on the week of June 13th through 17th with a week long camp comprised of 2-project 2 1/2 hr sessions lead by Studios @ 5663 artist Loy Khambay-Correa and myself. After the initial week I will be offering camp sessions comprised of creative projects and activities on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 10am-12pm.

Paint Camp with John & Loy
Monday-Friday, 1:30-4:00 pm
June 13th-17th, 2016
Ages 5-12
$30 per session per child includes all art and creative materials, project guidance, light snacks & juice.

Mr. John's Summer Art Camp
Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays, 10am-noon
June 20th through August 19th, 2016
Ages 5-12
$25 per session per child includes all art and creative materials, project guidance.

Spaces limited. Book today.
Email: jgascot@gascot.com
Pay by phone: 727-313-2250
Paypal: http://paypal.me/gascot
A minimum of 1 session non-refundable payment is required for reservations. Weekly or session by session payment accepted from that point on.

Paint with Mom this Mother's Day!

This Mother's Day (Sunday, May 8th, 2016) I will be offering two Paint with Mom paint party sessions. The first is a Brunch Paint Party 11am-1pm at my Latin Pop Shop Studio located at 5663 Park Blvd. in Pinellas Park, FL. The second will take place at Pom Pom's Teahouse in St. Pete, FL 3-5pm. Click on the links below for details on what is included and to make reservations. You can also use the Buy Now button provided (please specify "brunch" or "afternoon" session in your order details).

$40 per person includes:
-1 12" x 16" canvas per guest
-all paints and creative materials
-project guidance and hosting
-bagel/muffin/juice/tea spread for brunch session or first pitcher of sangria for afternoon session

Mothers' Day Paint Party

1 $40.00 USD 2 $80.00 USD 3 $120.00 USD 4 $160.00 USD

Paint with Mom Brunch Party
Pom Pom's Mothers' Day Paint Party

Best Weekend Ever

How is it that on a Monday I have rolled out of bed, achy, exhausted and worn out yet smiling from ear to ear; invigorated and fueled with excitement?
I blame the best weekend ever.

I don't usually make a huge deal of my birthday, however, this year I decided, back in January upon moving into my new art studio, that I would like to celebrate it by throwing myself a Grand Opening. Some dear long time friends from all over the country made travel arrangements to join us for the occasion. It was a plan.
In the interim, we juried 5 artists into our studio complex. With over half the available studios occupied it the event took a life of its own and it made perfect sense to plan for a Studios @ 5663 Grand Opening. And so we did.

We worked hard at promoting the event. Our director of Cultural Affairs, Debra Rose and I gave many a tour of the studios and developing Pinellas Arts Village. Our studio artists spread the word and so did their friends and their friends' friends and so on. We did television and newspaper interviews. We spread invitations around town and blasted the news on social media. But as anyone with any experience planning an art opening or event knows, there is no guarantee when it comes to attendance.

Because nothing I ever do ever seems to go off without some sort of glitch, I arrived at the studios Saturday afternoon in time to let the caterers in to discover our building had no electric power.
Don't panic, John. Don't panic.
The electric company predicted the issue would be resolved by 6:30pm. Our event was to begin at 6:00pm, of course. I watched nervously as early arrivals began to gather outside of our doors. Not only did we have no lights with which to SEE the art, it was now beginning to warm up inside. We are in Florida, after all.

As 6 o'clock struck, we had no choice but to open up and apologetically welcome guests into the building. "There is electricity next door, so if you'd like to check out their collection first and then come back...we will have live music as well...he he." People seemed undaunted by the conditions at hand. They had heard the buzz about our little growing artist village and wanted to be a part of it. It isn't every day you see visitors so determined to see art that they provide their own lighting. This was the case, exactly, as person after person switched their cell phones to "flashlight" and began illuminating our walls. This community seemed ready to receive what we came to offer.

The final outcome of the Studios @ 5663 Grand Opening exceeded every expectation and hope I had. My night was officially made when word reached me that our parking lot was full and people were having to park on side streets. What?? We had a full and happy-to-be-there house! The positivity was palpable. Visitors spent time with the art and engaged with the artists. They are invested in what is here and what is still to come. That is all the validation and assurance that we are moving in the right direction we need.

I want to thank my fellow Studios @ 5663 artists Kim Alderman, Bob Canning, Linda Costa-Cheranichit, Loy Khambay-Correa and Isis Navarro as well as Debra Rose, Directors of Cultural Affairs for the city of Pinellas Park for all of their hard work and support. It is invigorating and empowering, sharing common visions and goals for the Pinellas Arts Village. I would also like to thank the city and community who have rallied behind us. The Pinellas Arts Village and creative district is an investment from which we assure you will see many returns.

Call to Artists: Monthly Solo Exhibits at Pinellas Arts Village

Pinellas Arts Village hosts an art walk on the 4^th Saturday of each month. The Pinellas Arts Village currently consists of Studios @ 5663, COVE Gallery and Studio, The Wordier Than Thou live/work unit, The Complete Sweet Shoppe, Swartz Gallery, Pinellas Park Art Society at Park Station...and growing. The Complete Sweet Shoppe is now accepting submissions from local (preferably Pinellas County) artists for upcoming solo exhibits.

The Complete Sweet Shoppe is a small space with approximately 2 ½ walls suitable for display. Collections of 8-10 small/medium pieces (less if including larger pieces) are enough to fill the space. There is no fee to submit. No commission will be taken from sales from this exhibit. We only ask and expect that featured artists exhibit effort in organizing a simple 4^th Saturday Opening Night reception for their show and that they publicize it to at least their friends, family and collectors. Artists are responsible for their own hanging and labeling, promotional materials and social media promotion (ie. Facebook event page).

Shows generally hang during the third week of the month in coordination with the shop owner. Opening receptions are held during Fourth Saturday Art Walk and shows remain until the third week of the following month. Commissions are arranged between artist and shop owner.

Please submit 5-7 images of work that demonstrates the style you intend to exhibit. Also include a short bio and/or website.  Submit to completesweetshoppe@gmail.com

Call to Artists: Havana Nights

Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria, St. Pete invites Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for its upcoming exhibit Havana Nights. As travel restrictions to Cuba begin to loosen for the first time in half a century, American interest in travel to the island is rising. This show will feature works exploring the theme of Cuban and Caribbean culture; its sights, sounds, tastes and more. You may submit up to 5 quality images (at least 500x500 and no larger than 1000x1000 pixels) of available works. Each entry should measure no smaller than 8" x 8" and no larger than 30" x 40". All work must be properly wired and ready to hang on a display system upon delivery (no sawtooth hangers, wire only, please).

Havana Nights will run from June 6 through July 31st, 2016. Commission split is 25%, with 75% to the artist. Please submit images along with Title/Medium/Size info for each to: jgascot@gascot.com

Submission deadline: Friday, May 27.

Acceptance emails will be sent by Monday, May 30th. 

All accepted works must be delivered on Sunday, June 5, 5:00 pm.

If you wish to receive email notifications about future artist calls please join the Artist Call email list via the link below:

 http://eepurl.com/bIofsz

Urban Paradise: Model Casting Call

Chill Shirt, acrylic and safety pins on upcycled shirt

MODEL CASTING CALL:
Showcasing 10-look Artwear micro-collection "Urban Paradise" this summer. Diverse casting is very important to us. We have 4 males and 1 female already cast.
Seeking:
-1 Caucasian Male (slim to medium build...thin, toned or average, not noticeably muscular). Androgyny, or the capacity to achieve it with styling, preferred.
-1 Plus Sized Female, Race Unspecified.
-1 Black Female (slim to average build).
-1 Trans Female, Race and Size Unspecified.
-1 Female, Race Unspecified (slim to athletic build). Androgyny or strong "tough/butch" tendencies/look.

At this point in this venture I am not YET able to offer paid castings, however I will gladly offer art or an article of original clothing. The collection will be photographed and the runway show recorded and models are free to use this footage in their portfolios.
Email photos to jgascot@gascot.com
Thank You.