Starting July 1st, 2010, Quirk will open an exhibit called Couldn’t We Ride. In this exhibit, artists from all over the country will demonstrate the art of making and designing a bicycle. There are more artistic factors that go into a bicycle than one would imagine. From the leather saddles to the elaborate chain guards to the beautiful design on the handlebars, art is present in all aspects of the bicycle. The artists we have selected incorporate creativity and beauty with practicality into everyday items. In this exhibit, artists also include paintings and photographs of bicycles.
Participating artists include Kevin Dillard from Washington D.C., Justin Rothsank from Goshen, IN, Taliah Lempert from Brooklyn, NY, R.E. Load from Philadelphia, PA, Stellina Sport from Richmond, VA, Noah Rosen of Velocolour from Toronto, ON, Suzanne Carlsen from Toronto, ON, Villin Cycle Works from Gainesville, FL, Bilenky Cycle Works from Philadelphia, PA, and Kara Ginther from Madison, WI.
We have had the wonderful opportunity to showcase work by Miel- Margarita Paredes and Todd Reed. The show takes place in the main gallery from May 6th to June 26th. Todd Reed uses the raw diamond to create beautiful works of jewelry. Miel- Margarita Paredes’s “Gnaw” and “Standards” series is on display. Paredes embraces the rodent and the dog in her architectural ornamentation. Together, these two artists create a wide array of beautiful works of art in the main gallery.
Todd Reed’s enchantment with diamonds grew when he thought of “a way to question the fascination with diamonds used as a status symbol in our current society… it became a fascination for me to use and make aware the beauty and raw elegance of the diamond in its most pure form.” Todd Reed Inc. is centered around our natural and social environment and makes all decisions with this at heart. Todd Reed creates his art in eco friendly ways and all of his pieces are hand made in his Colorado studio. Reed is most well known for using raw diamonds to create beautiful works of fine jewelry. Examples of this fine jewelry may be found in Quirk’s main gallery.
Miel- Margarita Paredes’ series “Gnaw” is also seen in the main gallery. “Gnaw” combines a beautiful architectural design with the face of a rodent. She decided to use the rodent because they are most commonly thought of as lovable pets or annoying creatures that dwell within the walls of a house. So she chose to put a twist on the rodent’s role and turn them into beautiful ornamental creatures. Her “Standards” series “incorporates the traditional use of the decorative grotesque and festive swags with examples of purebred dogs.” She chose the dog because she is enthralled with the fact that dogs are descendants of wolves, however dogs have been bred to provide security and love to humans. Together, these series provide the viewer with deep insight on “the standards that we choose to identify with and judge others by.”
Give your little one the opportunity to make a movie with some of Richmond's most artistic movie makers... 
I'm still so smitten with Jonathan Adler. We just got our Bird Salt & Pepper shakers. It completely renewed my love of all things Adler. $50
And then we have Matthew McDonald. This is the real deal of headshots. Want to find Matthew at the Martin Agency? There he is. You might also recognize him from his super-popular blog: Chewylives.
OK folks, you're going to have to work pretty hard to have a sweeter mugshot than this one. Thanks Leo for putting yourself in the running. This headshot of our amazing online wiz, Leo Caldas (by Todd Hale of Sun Portraits) puts him at the top of our list right now.
Check out our first contestant, Phil. You may recognize him from the GRTC iphone giveaway "Transit Talk."
This Friday one of our favorite Richmond jewelers, Karyn Shonk will be selling her wares at the First Friday Art Walk. Look for her outside of Quirk and check out her signature beaded jewelry. 
