THERMAL PHX and Shade Projects

PHOENIX - Aug. 19, 2014 - PRLog -- Summer is winding down and the exciting “Thermal PHX” art competition and exhibition has concluded. It has been an exhilarating three months of intriguing artwork and getting to know 9 local artists. The participating artists included Tiera Allen, Jesse Berlin, Alyssa Burke, Chris Czaja, Robert Gentile, Krystal MacMillan Pederson, Jesse Perry, Beverly Shumway, and Cassandra Travis. Each month artist’s created new work specifically for the competition, based on guidelines given to them by Shade Projects. First Friday debuted the artist’s work in Shade Gallery allowing the community to participate and vote for their favorite artist, bringing record crowds to the monOrchid. Third Friday was a different scene, with the gallery open for viewing only while Shade Projects held closed studio eliminations, where the artist’s work was critiqued and judged. Artists were eliminated each round, and in the end only one artist remained, crowing Robert Gentile the THERMAL PHX winner. He was awarded a solo exhibition scheduled for next season in Shade Gallery.

We would like to thank the panel of judges that participated in the THERMAL PHX art competition and reality series, which included the Shade Projects Executive Director and Curator Justin Germain, Publisher and Arts Advocate Jon Linton, and Artist Guest Judges Lee Davis, Daniel Funkhuser, Angel Cabrales and series host, the intrepid Tiffany Chiang. The webseries was directed and produced by Wayne Rainey along with the help from Christopher OShana, Chadwick Fowler, and Ron and Christine Beckwith who meticulously filmed this captivating three episode reality program. The first episode of THERMAL PHX webseries is scheduled to be released September 4^th, 2014 just before the kick off the Shade Projects Fall Season. This has been an exhilarating project spear headed by the Shade Projects Executive Director and Curator Justin Germain. For the last two years he has worked to expand the Shade Projects mission, exhibitions, and gallery audience with the assistance of his dedicated staff. With the conclusion of THERMAL PHX Germain has stepped down from his post as Executive Director and Curator to pursue new opportunities and will be sorely missed. Shade Projects is currently seeking a new Executive Director and Curator to oversee our 501C3 Shade Projects and our three galleries.  Please send all inquires to art@monorchid.com.

Be sure to join us for the kick off of our fall season on First Friday, September 5^th featuring two new exhibitions “Old Stories” the solo exhibition of Lara Plecas in Shade Gallery and “Confluence” the solo exhibition of Christine Cassano in Bokeh Gallery. Stay tuned for more announcements including an exciting new partnership with the Phoenix Art Museum.