Riviera Celebrates America's 250th Anniversary: A Red, White & Blue Art Exhibition Curated by Manolis Projects / J. Steven Manolis

INTRODUCTION

A Salute to Art Stars with Stripes 

By Bruce Helander

Even though the exact origin of the flag concept remains a mystery, the source likely dates to ancient Egypt or China, where early civilizations mounted printed or sewn symbols on poles to identify military units and deities. Give or take a few thousand years later, every country has a flag to raise or praise that typically is made from a piece of cloth and displays the insignia of a sovereign state. A flag usually is oblong and is regularly attached by one edge to a staff or pole. The American flag is perhaps one of the youngest symbolic representations of a growing young country as immigrants started to arrive in the 1600s from other territories that already had recognizable flags for centuries. The American flag theme has remained mostly the same for hundreds of years, adding stars as new states became recognized, finishing with Alaska and Hawaii as the final two to total fifty. The colors of Old Glory are also emblematic, with red representing valor and bravery, white signifying purity and innocence and blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice. 

Artists have been inspired by the American flag for centuries. Childe Hassam is perhaps the painter most closely associated with the stars and stripes, particularly the artist’s spectacular views of multiple flag displays along Manhattan streets on the Fourth of July.

Contemporary art also can serve as an invisible mirror reflecting our nation’s history with numerous interpretations by painters. Leading contemporary artists such as Claes Oldenburg, Robert Indiana and David Salle have repeatedly incorporated the flag design into their work. The most recognized and iconic representation of the stars and stripes is arguably by Jasper Johns, who produced over forty flag-inspired works. His most famous flag painting from 1958 sold at auction for $110 million. 

The brilliant exhibition is sponsored by Manolis Projects Gallery and curated by J. Steven Manolis. This group show explores the creative interpretation of our flag by a complex variety of South Florida artists with, not surprisingly, the visual common denominator being the inventive infusion of the stars and stripes accented with red, white and blue.

–Bruce Helander is an artist who writes on contemporary art. His reviews have appeared in The Huffington Post, ARTnews, and WhiteHot Magazine of Contemporary Art, among others. He is a member of Florida Artists Hall of Fame and is a former White House Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts. His illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker. His work is in over fifty museum collections including the Guggenheim and Metropolitan. His recent books include “Chihuly: An Artist Collects” and “Hunt Slonem – Bunnies,” as well as monographs on Alexander Calder and Franz Kline. Helander has had numerous museum exhibitions in America, including at the Museum of Art|Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton Museum of Art and the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach.

CURATOR'S NOTE

Riviera COUNTRY CLUB Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary

In the context of a Group Art Exhibition, art curation is defined as the entire process of conceiving, developing, and physically or conceptually executing a portfolio of displayed artwork. It encompasses both the manual techniques used by the artists to shape materials used and the ultimate finished painting, with the emotional intent and spiritual thoughts by the artist behind the final completed work. A strong, multifaceted definition of the job of an Art Curator for an Exhibition involves three core elements:

Conceptualization: The initial idea, inspiration, and research that form the foundation of the artwork. This involves the artist’s specific intent and the cultural or personal context they are exploring.  

Execution (The Process): The active manipulation of a medium (e.g., paints, digital software, clay, found objects) using specific techniques and elements of art. This stage transforms an abstract thought into a subjective, tangible or experiential reality. 

Final Artifact (The Outcome): The physical or digital result itself— the final object, installation, or performance presented to the public.                                                             

In the case of this Group exhibition, (which I created specifically for the Riviera Country Club Exhibition) my goal was to explore a wide range of color interpretations and compositional themes from nine different artists, each focusing on THE IMPACT OF COLOR (Red, White & Blue). 

As a Curator my favorite Art Curations are Exhibitions that have the following three characteristics 1) Group Shows (not Solo Shows) whose concept is the celebration of an important event or important date, 2) the establishment by the Curator of a central uniform exhibition theme, and 3) the end result of the curator’s chosen PORTFOLIO of artworks results in a more expansive, enjoyable and profound art experience than simply seeing a group of art works only evaluated on an artist-by-artist and work-by-work basis. 

I hope this Exhibition’s curation achieves these “art communicative” results and elevates everyone’s ability to appreciate and celebrate America’s truly glorious 250th Anniversary! 

—J. Steven Manolis 

EXHIBITION CURATOR

Artist, Gallerist, Curator, Collector, 

Philanthropist, Teacher, and Speaker.

HAMILTON AGUIAR

The pictorial work of Hamilton Aguiar (Brazil, 1965) had its initial inspiration in the world of mural and interior design. That world where paintings, the spatial fit of objects and the handling of lights are essential to activate our senses and sensibility. A world, in which the private interiority and the home kingdom are harmonized to keep the tensions and shocks of the outside life at bay. It was in this context of applied arts where he developed a refined management of different techniques and materials of the pictorial craft. An experience that had its field of action in New York at the end of the 80s, the city where he settled residence in 1987.

In 2004 Aguiar made the leap to the contemporary art scene with a painting whose fundamental characteristic, from the poetic point of view, is the use of neo-figurative language. A sensualistic neo- figuration of retinal inspiration deployed in flat colors, that exploits the scales and chromatic gradations of intense colors. Paintings where the background-figure-relation is gradually interwoven until merging into atmospheres and environments that transmit a great stillness. The look feels attracted by the explosion of light and color. In this, neo-figurative poetics stand out the details around the treatment of light. The transparencies of the colors in the sand, the sky and the sea take on a volume, a moody corporality of human warmth. We are speaking of a combination of pictorial practice and craft subject to a careful technical control, both in the application phase of the painting and in the drying phase of the works. Pieces made of oil and resin in copper sheets on wooden panel, seeking to activate the sensuality of the viewer to submerge in the depth of these environments, leading us to a state of hypnotic contemplation.

This exhibition presents four paintings from my Opticals series. These three, each measuring 70 x 70 inches are individually dedicated to a single color: red, white, and blue. Inspired by the colors of the American flag, these works explore the relationship between color, light, and perception.

Through layered optical patterns, each painting creates a sense of movement that shifts as the viewer moves, transforming the experience from observation into participation. While referencing a familiar national symbol, the works invite a broader reflection on unity, individuality, and the ever-changing nature of perspective.

As an immigrant who built a life and career in the United States, these colors hold both personal and collective meaning. Together, the paintings celebrate the spirit of the Fourth of July while exploring the visual and emotional power of red, white, and blue.

RON BURKHARDT

Ron Burkhardt, founder of Notism, describes it as "...a unique genre of contemporary American art which fuses abstract semiotics and organic writing to record symbols, words and cultural artifacts, even as they drift slowly into the distant black hole of the past. No sooner do we experience “Now,” then that moment starts to recede, leaving us facing a nostalgic void for the fading experiences and people no longer near to us, as we desperately strive to keep those memories alive."  Notism exalts the power of private thoughts expressed in hand-written text–its style, texture, intensity, dynamism, aestheticism, and the primal exuberance of precious memory recall. These paintings and concepts also connote the eventual non-existence (“not-ism”) of life as it drifts slowly into the distant black hole of the past. Even as our memories and achievements surround us with grace and aesthetic richness.

Burkhardt has another body of work called "Earth Art."  "Rooted in earth’s gritty reality, my Earth Art reveals intriguing layers of textual substrates forged from earth’s crust. Heralding the complexity, beauty and power of our planet, Earth Art canvases fuse paint, water, raw dirt, snow, rain and intense sun over a period of weeks to create otherworldly dimensions and color forms.

Working with earth and water on unprimed canvases is a rugged discipline that instills newfound respect for the planet’s elements. After soaking a canvas in water, I work with my hands, flinging acrylic and enamel paint in all directions. Then I form random designs and cover it with mounds of indigenous soil, adding more water and letting the paint leach through. Finally, I bleach the confluence of colors and elements in the heat of day, fusing dirt to canvas as colors take root in the hot sun. And then I repeat the process, creating dozens of layers and startling colorations.

Burkhardt won a prestigious Lorenzo il Magnificio de Medici medal for his mixed media work in Notism at the 2005 Florence Biennale, a contemporary art extravaganza held every two years in world famous Florence, Italy. He has won over 200 creative awards and been interviewed on NBC, CBS, CNN, Plum-TV, Aspen’s PBS-TV, and Hamptons/WVVH Television. His paintings are held in numerous museums, private, corporate and university collections in  the U.S. and Europe.

MYRTHO CELESTIN

Meet Myrtho, an enigmatic artist who has finally stepped into the spotlight after quietly contributing to the art scene for decades. Her multifaceted journey encompasses the roles of collector, art promoter, and a highly skilled artist in her own right.

Prepare to be captivated by the sheer breadth of Myrtho's portfolio, boasting over a hundred remarkable pieces. Delve into her world of creativity, where drawings come to life and metal sculptures adorned with exquisite semi-precious stones like corals, turquoise, pearls, malachites, onyx, and tiger's eye transport you to a realm of wonder. But Myrtho's artistic prowess doesn't stop there.

With an innovative approach, Myrtho seamlessly blends the conventional with the unconventional. While she gracefully wields classic tools such as paintbrushes and pencils, her artistic vision knows no bounds. Watch in awe as she effortlessly transforms ordinary household items into extraordinary masterpieces, infusing them with beauty and intrigue. Myrtho's unique artistic process is an art form in itself, inviting you to explore the limitless possibilities of creation.

Prepare to be astounded as Myrtho unveils her hidden treasures, revealing a lifetime of artistic expression that will leave an indelible mark on your imagination.

JAMES CRUTCHFIELD

James Ronald Crutchfield Jr. is a contemporary abstract artist based in South Florida. His relationship with art began in childhood through graphite and charcoal drawing, where he developed an early appreciation for value, composition, and the expressive qualities of monochromatic imagery.

In his early twenties, Crutchfield pursued tattooing professionally in Georgia. Years spent designing custom work and collaborating closely with clients cultivated a deeper understanding of color theory, balance, and visual communication. Following the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome, he stepped away from art for many years before eventually rediscovering his creative practice after relocating to Miami.

Since returning to the studio, Crutchfield has studied under the mentorship of artist J. Steven Manolis, whose guidance has contributed to the continued evolution of his work. In parallel with his studio practice, he is professionally engaged in decorative finishes and architectural coatings, experiences that further inform his sensitivity to color, texture, and surface.

Working primarily in acrylic and mixed media, Crutchfield explores emotion, movement, and the subtle ways color can shape perception and memory. His paintings seek to evoke feeling rather than prescribe meaning, inviting viewers to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the work.

JOSE DE ARCE

Incorporating decades of philosophical and physical discipline, educator and abstract artist J. De Arce creates commanding visual narratives rooted in the energy of movement. A graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, J. De Arce's evolution spans from foundational fine art in the 1980s to cutting-edge experimentation with spray paint art in the 1990s.

His unique creative process is deeply guided by his 40-year tenure as a martial arts instructor and as a former bodyworker, infusing his abstract canvases with a rare sense of spatial intuition and philosophical depth.

By bridging the way of life of a martial artist with fine art, De Arce delivers a fresh, highly marketable perspective to the contemporary art world. His latest abstract series will be unveiled at an exclusive upcoming group fine art exhibition at the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables, sponsored by Manolis Projects Gallery. 

BRUCE HELANDER

Bruce Helander is an artist, writer and critic. He received a BFA and MFA in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design, where he later served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He has studied at Yale University and Harvard, and is a former White House Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts.

He recently received the First Annual Professional Achievement in the Arts Award from Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, and is a member of the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Helander is a past recipient of the South Florida Cultural Consortium’s award for Professional Achievement in the Arts and has won four separate grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts.

His work in represented in over fifty permanent public collections, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. As a critic, he regularly writes for numerous publications such as The Huffington Post, Sculpture magazine, Art Hive magazine and One Art Nation, among others. He is a seasoned juror and curator of museum exhibitions and serves on the board of the Center for Creative Education.

J. STEVEN MANOLIS

J. Steven Manolis is an American abstract expressionist artist who paints in both watercolor and acrylic on canvas. He is known for his series paintings which emphasize communication through colors, geometrics, and other symbols. His works are so unique that world-renowned art critics have provided him with unprecedented written acclaim.

Donald Kuspit, credits Manolis with starting a new abstract movement which he coined the “Miami School of Abstract Expressionism,” and also states, “Indeed, Manolis’ color-saturated abstractions breathe fresh life – fresh feeling – into abstract expressionism... He’s a modern master...” J. Steven is a prodigious talent. A true master painter and master of color. I have known many artists, but no one with his drive, ability – creative capacity – and intelligence. And emotional honesty.”

Additionally, Elizabeth Sobieski (Huffington Post) writes, “J. Steven Manolis is one of the foremost practitioners of AbEx today, his brilliant brushstrokes as bewitching as those of such forefathers and foremothers as Clyfford Still (originally from North Dakota), Morris Louis, Barnett Newman, Sam Francis, Joan Mitchell and Helen Frankenthaler.”

Manolis painted for 30 years privately under the tutelage of the great artist and colorist, Wolf Kahn. In 2014, he went public and committed fulltime to his painting career with his first solo art exhibition at the Chase Edwards Gallery in Bridgehampton, NY. Since then, he’s enjoyed a meteoric rise. In three years, he’s had 3 solo museum shows, 16 solo gallery exhibitions, 14 group shows, 15 corporate installations, and has garnered over 350 global collectors. He works in Miami in his Studio-Gallery, Manolis Projects, which is the largest private studio-gallery in Florida. Manolis is highly involved in the field of visual arts, and was past Chairman of the Advisory Board of the National Academy of Design and Trustee and Development Director of the Vermont Studio Center.

MAITE NOBO

Maite Nobo is an Artist and Interior Architect. She is the creator of a unique style she refers to as “Underground Chic”. Her work tackles hard to discuss subjects portrayed as implicit non-narrative compositions with unique color fields resulting in beautifully minimal, yet profound engaging works. 

She is also the inventor of “BIG.”, an uplifting copyrighted proprietary brand developed to reach a global audience that positively impacts lives worldwide with the message of hope, perseverance and ultimately love.

Maite Nobo was born in Havana, Cuba December 25th, 1959. She is a descendant of a noble family from Spain which was granted a Marquis title and given land in Cuba. In 1960, Nobo fled to New York City as a political refugee with her family where she spent her formative years. Later, she moved to Florida and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Florida International University, School of Architecture.

Early exposure to art and architecture by Maite’s intellectual architect step-father sparked a great passion for the Bauhaus movement and designs which followed the “Less is More” philosophy.  Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer and Wassily Kandinsky were all notable favorites. Works by Jackson Pollack, Helen Frankenthaler, Mark Rothko and Clyfford Still were later influencers of Nobo’s work.

Bruce Helander credits, “Maite Nobo has spent years perfecting the interaction of built-up color with an appealing, nearly supernatural, energetic surface. The artist has reduced pigment to its purest form, mixing in her own secret recipe (that includes powdered cement) for an extraordinary exterior platform that is successful on every occasion. Her recent works are delightfully striking and unabashedly handsome, often celestial and sublime, as the canvas soaks up pigment like a street corner after a rain. And then comes the rainbow; then comes the sun!”

Additionally, Carol Damian, Ph.D stated “Her concern with all-over abstract arrangements through accidental juxtapositions generates images embedded and barely discernible in the textures.  Monochromatic palettes range from soft and elegant to luminous rich tonalities, all of which enhance the surface.  There is an overall unified effect in the application of paint and mixed media additions to the canvas or other supporting structures essential to her compositions.”

Over the past 37 years, Nobo has honed her technique and style with unconventional tools and materials creating without fear and boundaries. In 2021, Maite Nobo went public under the direction of her mentor and past Chairman of the Advisory Board of the National Academy of Design, J. Steven Manolis. 

ALEX VIGNOL

Hamptons, NY and Miami, FL based, Alex Vignoli is a multi-talent award winner visual artist. His skills range from photography to painting, graphic and web design to decorative painting, from teaching computer graphics to a curatorial art exhibition.

Alex is self-taught on photo and design apps. He graduated in visual communication, certified by United Digital Artist/Apple Computer Center in NY.  Vignoli has over 30 years of experience working for visual communications studios, newspapers, advertising agencies, private and corporate companies in Brazil and USA.

He has won many photo and art contests in galleries and online. Vignoli has sold his artworks to private and corporative art collectors in Brazil, Costa Rica, England, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Spain and United States.

https://www.manolisprojects.com/