Internationally known artist George L. Carey, Jr. opens a southern exhibition of paintings at the Bruce Webber Gallery on Friday, March 7, 2008, with a reception from 5:30 - 8 p.m. The exhibition will showcase works done in his trademark realistic style. An expert at painting both nature and architecture — and his favorite subject, marine art — his paintings reveal a strong energy that is the result of his unique talent for interpreting a scene.
A fourth generation Key West native, Carey currently resides in Wheeling, West Virginia. Carey formerly showed his work at the best galleries in Key West and has had 18 previous solo exhibitions, all of which were sold out shows. “I’m looking forward to this new show with Bruce Webber with whom I’ve been associated with for the past three years,” said Carey. This will be Carey’s first gallery show in Palm Beach County. “And I am also looking forward to the Lake Worth / Palm Beach area exhibition because it will offer a fresh new painting experience for me.” “His work is fabulous and I’m looking forward to introducing him to Lake Worth and Palm Beach area art patrons” Bruce Webber said. “I’ve been hoping to do a show with George for years and now it is finally coming to fruition.”
Carey most recently was accepted into the prestigious 30th anniversary exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists national show, which opens in Wilmington, Del. this May. Considered America’s finest marine art exhibition, this honor is reserved for only the very best marine artists. This show draws the largest audience and media attention of any marine art exhibition in the nation.
Carey is no stranger to national recognition and was chosen five times as a finalist in the prestigious “Arts for the Parks” competition, garnering four “Top 100" awards and one “Top Mini 50" award. He has also exhibited in the “Mystic Maritime Invitational Marine Art Exhibition” in Mystic, Conn., where he was showcased three times.
Carey is a consummate professional who works countless hours on each piece. Art collectors will find both large works and a selection of smalls at the Carey Exhibition.
Located at 705 Lucerne Avenue, in historic downtown Lake Worth, the Bruce Webber Gallery offers a unique selection of 19th and 20th century as well as contemporary American and European paintings. The George Carey Exhibition continues through March 24th at the Bruce Webber Gallery. Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment.
From PARIS to PALM BEACH - Original Works by Bill Olendorf 1925 - 1996. Exhibition Opens March 7th 2008 at the Bruce Webber Gallery. William “Bill” Olendorf (1925-1996) was a man about town, world traveler and bon vivant with a sketchbook in hand. He attended Washington and Lee, Harvard and the Chicago Art Institute. He served aboard an old destroyer during WWII on dangerous assignments and while on leave, he visited Palm Beach for the first time. Olendorf made Bradley’s his hang out and made a mental note to return when peace was declared. The opportunity to do so presented itself when Mr. John D. MacArthur sent him to do art work for a project, (now Singer Island); Olendorf also did work for Mr. Yvlisaker and the polo project ( now Palm Beach Polo) and Chuck Muir for Charley’s Crab, all of these gentlemen were fellow Chicagoans.
His sketches became known in the art community as he was the artist in residence on the around the world cruise of the QUII in the Far East, and as an Ambassador for the Republican Party. His work has hung in the White House with just about every modern day Republican President. Through President Ronald Reagan, Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Golda Meir of Israel were presented with sketches as gifts.
He illustrated an Addison Mizner sketchbook with text by Robert Tolf, who was the food critic of “The Sun Sentinel”, and an accomplished historian. After its success, Olendorf published “The Palm Beach Sketchbook” with text by Agnes Ash the beloved editor of “The Shiny Sheet” and Palm Beach Life magazine. The book signing was held at Saks Fifth Avenue by Invitation Only. The book is now a collector’s item. First published in 1988, in conjunction with the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, under then President Jesse Newman the sketch of Worth Avenue is still used by the Palm Beach Chamber. A number of the original works from the sketchbook will be a part of the exhibit at the Bruce Webber Gallery.
Mr. Olendorf also designed the Christmas card for the Palm Beach Police department when it moved to its new headquarters.
His memory is kept alive today by the students of the art school in Michigan where there is a program endowed by the Olendorf family.
From PARIS to PALM BEACH opens at the Bruce Webber Gallery March 7th.
