Festive Shoping & Sipping & Sharing

Dear Friends,

Wow! We have had a wonderful year. A new grandbaby, a wedding, fabulous celebrations and events. New friends, new family members and more of everything that matters the most. All this in spite of an economic recession that has touched everybody. I am grateful for so many blessings--none of which would have been possible without the love and support of family and friends.

We have also had a great year at the Parlor Gallery despite the fact that I was distracted with family events. The showing of Celeste Morris' and Katrina Jeffiries' fine artwork was enthusiastically received. Performances by Parker McAllister and his bands were fabulous! And the addition of the Networking Breakfast this year was welcomed by our friends who loved the food and the opportunity to share information.

On Saturday, December 4 is our 2nd annual Holiday Shop & Sip. Gift ideas and and artwork by local artists and businesses will be for sale at the Gallery from 2pm until 8pm.

Along with shopping, we'll sip cider and champagne cocktails and continue the holiday season with good cheer and by supporting our local businesses. At the Gallery, we believe in shopping locally--and that means as close to home as you can.

Please Jon us this Saturday for festive shopping and sipping!

Best wishes,

Sheila

Bassist Parker McAllister and Friends Back at the Parlor Gallery

Dear Friends,

On Saturday, September 25, 2010, The Parlor gallery presents Brooklyn's own, Bassist Parker McAllister and Friends. Performances are at 7:30 and 9:00; doors open at 7pm. There is a suggested donation of $20, which includes both sets and snacks.

Since Parker's last Jazz at the Parlor Gallery performance, in April of this year he was recognized as an emerging new talent and was honored by the Brooklyn Jazz Consortium by receiving the "Young Lion" award. Unfortunately, I was away welcoming my first grand baby but I am so thankful that so many of our friends and supporters were there to cheer him on.

More exciting news, Parker and his band mates competed and was selected for the prestigious Aspen Jazz Festival. We are so proud of these young musician, still in college but yet gaining renown and respect in the jazz community.

On extended exhibition at the gallery is the Fine Art of Handmade Paper, unique works by fine artists, Celeste Morris and Katrina Jeffries. Enthusiastically received by gallery visitors this summer, the exhibit will be on view until September 26, 2010.

After a long hot summer where our summer jazz events were interrupted by my "grand mommy" and "mother of the bride" duties, please join us Saturday and celebrate the fabulous fall with our fantastic musicians. (Shhhhh! We're going to wish Parker a Happy 20th Birthday.)

Best wishes,

Sheila

Presenting the Fine Art of Handmade Paper

Dear Friends:

The Parlor Gallery is thrilled to present The Fine Art of Handmade Paper, the unique and collectible artworks of Celeste Morris and Katrina Jeffries.
Both artists use beautiful handmade paper in seemingly endless variations of color, fiber, and ornamentation rooted in a keen sense of history, culture, literacy, and social conscience in their mixed media and collages.

Morris, no stranger to New Yorkers, is a community activist turned business woman turned artist. She is a poster woman for the term-"re-invention." Always a creative spirit, Morris owned many businesses including the renown Big Black Book, a directory of New York City Black-owned businesses. She owns MorrisAllsop, LLC., a Government Relations firm based in New York. An avid art-lover and collector, Morris began her art career 10 years ago, after participating in several art workshops and classes. Her works have been shown in New York galleries and is part of personal collections throughout the country.

Jeffries grew up in Columbus Ohio immersed in the city's culture. She received her BFA from Ohio State University and continued her studies at Parsons School of Design, Brooklyn Urban Glass, and Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. Jeffries focuses on painting, drawing, ceramics, glass blowing, and paper making to express her creativity. Now a resident in Brooklyn, NY, her work encompasses her love of culture and history and is exhibited at galleries and part of institutional and personal collections across the country.

The show previews June 18, 6-8 pm and Artist Reception is Sat., June 19, 4 to 8 pm. A fun Summer Sangria Sip and Artist Talk is Thurs., July 15, 5:30 to 9 pm and the Closing Artist Reception is Sunday, July 25, 2 to 7 pm.

Best wishes,

Sheila

Wishing You a Happy Mother's Day as We Celebrate a Year of Success

Dear Friends,

Thank you for making it possible for the Parlor Gallery to celebrate a year of success. We re-launched last Mother's Day and over the year presented more than a dozen events--each one a joyful and successful venture. This was only possible with your support.

We count all our guess as blessings and are grateful and prayerful that we may continue to bring you joy through the mutual love of life, beauty, art and ideas.

We missed this Mother's Day as we welcomed our new grand daughter (Kennedy Madison Garner). We're panning a jazzy summer and showing new artists this summer and fall. We eagerly look for you at the next Parlor Gallery event.

Again, we are very grateful for your support.

Best wishes,

Sheila

Are You Ready for a Spring Swing!

Dear Friends,

We mingled until we tingled at our networking breakfast earlier this month. We had a blast and learned about so many interesting businesses among our guests. And the food was superb-- John and Gus stuffed us to contentment.

But now it's spring time and swing time! Parker and his extraordinary friends from the New England Conservatory will once again exhilarate us with superior musicality, this time including the beautiful and mellifluous vocalist, Kimberly Mayo.

As usual, the Gallery will embrace its guests with great music, fun-loving and friendly people, fine art, and snacks and drinks for all.

We're asking $20 donations to support college funds. Doors open at 7:00, sets are at 7:30 and 9:00.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Parlor Gallery where we love life and art!

Best wishes,

Sheila

A Breakfast Mix & Mingle

Dear Friends,

Are you, like me, using winter to hideout, overeat, and not focus on your strategic business plan. Beating the blahs is tough in winter. I need help and I need to reach out to others for encouragement and to learn the tools of self-motivation.

On March 13, John and I are hosting a Mix & Mingle for business owners and others who need a little encouragement in meeting goals and objectives. John and Gus are going to do their thing in the kitchen and whip up a country breakfast. (Forget what I said about overeating.) Along with the comfort food, we'll have informal discussions about motivation, networking, and staying healthy during stressful times.

Bring your appetite, your business card, a friend, and your questions as we mix and mingle to more success.

Best wishes,

Sheila

Blessings, Blessings, Nothing but Blessings

Dear Friends,

I know it's almost March, but I'm just getting around to looking back on 2009 and acknowledging the wonder of the Parlor Gallery’s success. This time last year, faced with zero job prospects, I decided to reopen the Parlor Gallery and to do what I love best--sharing my love of art and culture in all its forms and connecting artists, entrepreneurs and small business owners, community leaders and neighbors; everyone that loves people, life and art is welcome at the Gallery.

The Parlor Gallery opened in May with our Mothers’ Day Tea and ended the year with a Holiday Shop Sip and Christmas Open House. In 2009, we were blessed with success and many new friends, and for that we’re very grateful.

I thank my family, friends, neighbors and all who came to the Gallery last year. And although I’m a little behind schedule as I'm consumed with an upcoming new grandbaby and wedding—yes Leslie’s getting married and having a baby all in the same year—I will maintain the Gallery’s momentum. I’m awaiting confirmation on a few dates and will post the spring 2010 events shortly. In the meantime, please enjoy the pictures of our 2009 events and look to hear from us soon.

Remember friends, when faced with a challenge and looking for a resolution, start by using what you have to create what you need or want.

Best wishes,
Sheila