Posted on November 2, 2020 in Faces

Pilsener Haus and Main Street Pops will launch their new Pop-Up Arts Program this November with an art show celebrating extraordinary women in history entitled, “Powerful Women”, by local award-winning artist, Brittany Vogel. Main Street Pops @ Pilsener is a series of curated events designed to help bring more Arts Programming to Hoboken while creating a stronger sense of community.

The theme of this first show could not be more timely, as the featured subjects are Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Nancy Pelosi, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony and a salute to the female Coronavirus Hero.

In Powerful Women, each figure is placed in the forefront as an expressive drawing with the background providing the context of her history in a patchwork collage format.

The 40×30” mixed media on canvas original pieces will be available for purchase for $3995.00, and unframed 18×24” open edition prints on archival paper hand signed by the artist of all pieces are for sale by special order for $175.00. Just in time for the Holidays for your own “powerful woman”!

We had a chance to chat with Brittany about this impactful and relevant series:

What inspired you to create this series?

With the centennial of suffrage approaching, I wanted to honor the hard work and sacrifice of the women before me, but I found that education on the subject, as well as most issues of women’s history was generally lacking.  The Powerful Women series is a way for me to amplify the stories, lessons, and achievements of amazing women. By placing a spotlight on extraordinary women, my hope is that there will be an example by which others can follow.

What is your process when creating these pieces?

I research the woman who is the hero of the piece, then I find images that describe major moments in her life or obstacles she’s had to overcome.  I glue those down into a patchwork collage and then I draw her portrait in B&W in my signature drawing style and paint over the collage using acrylic paint.

As both a mom and artist, the space limitations due to the COVID pandemic must be challenging for you- where and how do you work on your art ?

I had to bring my NYC studio home and create a workspace in a glorified hallway in my apartment with no door and two kids who are remotely learning. I haven’t been as productive as normal!

There are so many powerful women to choose from.. How did you decide on which subjects to include?

I get inspired by what I happen to be reading or watching at the time. You never know when inspiration strikes.

Do you have a favorite “powerful woman”?

I don’t. There’s different things that I love in each of the pieces and as I keep going in the series, I keep adding more details to them so there’s elements I like in all of them.  It could be the drawing itself or the intricacies of the cutting of images that make me happy.

Do you plan to add to this series?

I do! Stay tuned…

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on a huge 60×80 piece that is part of my layered acrylic series.  The bright color palate of my work provides a focal point to any room and is meant to inspire joy.  I’m also working on prints to make more of my work accessible.

We can’t wait!!

The show will be open to the public from November 4-30th.  Opening Night is Wednesday, November 4th, and there will be a live artist sketch demonstration on Wednesday, November 18th, both from 6-8pm at Pilsener Haus Biergarten at 1422 Grand Street.

For more information on the series, go to www.mainstreetpops.com

For more information on the artist, go to www.BrittanyVogelArt.com

The power has certainly shifted, or at the very least balanced out, between the sexes. Countries led by women have seen a lower rate of COVID-19 deaths, Fortune 500 companies see an all time record high of women CEOs, and Kamala Harris becomes the first female Vice President-elect of the United States. To honor this rise in power comes a timely new series by Hoboken based award-winning artist, Brittany Vogel.

“Powerful Women”, on display now through November 30 at Pilsener Haus, portrays women in history (both past and present) that have paved the way for women of today. Through her use of sharp lines, Vogel depicts Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Harriet Tubman, Nancy Pelosi, Susan B. Anthony, and the frontline worker in an artistic narrative that captures the female spirit and the story they each tell.

What inspired the creative outlet?

I’ve always felt inspired while being around art. Growing up, all of our family vacations revolved around going to museums or castles, and my parents were active in supporting museums in Detroit. After moving to Hoboken, I became a member of the Junior Associates of the Museum of Modern Art for 12 years. It was a fantastic way to learn from curators, collectors, and renowned artists. Finally, in 2008 I became serious about becoming an artist myself and began at The Art Students League of New York [an independent art school in Manhattan]. I learned from from incredible artists like Mariano Del Rosario, Ken McIndoe, and Robert Cenedella.

Describe how the series “Powerful Women” came about.

The series ‘Powerful Women’ began in 2019. I was thinking about the upcoming 100 year anniversary of the 19th amendment and wanted to honor the suffragists. After finishing ‘Susan B. Anthony’ and the ‘Suffragists Marching’ mural on view at the Columbus Circle Subway Station, I realized there was a big gap in my knowledge of history and especially women’s place in it.

The viewer is drawn in by your intentional framework of each subjects outline to the media clippings in the background. It feels like this is beyond a form of artistic expression but also a creative history lesson as well.

The series is a way for me to amplify the stories, lessons, and achievements of amazing women. By placing a spotlight on extraordinary women, there will be an example by which others can follow. In ‘Powerful Women,’ each figure is placed in the forefront as an expressive line drawing with the background providing the context of her history. Each history is shown as a patchwork collage, often displaying issues our hero had to overcome or major accomplishments in her life. I encourage viewers to take a close look at the collage as there are a lot of interesting details included.

Why did you choose those specific women to profile?

‘Powerful Women’ is meant to honor the amazing women featured, and inspire the next generation.

What single quote, from any of the women featured in your current exhibit, resonates with you the most?

A quote that resonates with me from this series is from Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made…it shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”

“Powerful Women” is a COVID-friendly exhibit made possible by Main Street Pops and Pilsener Haus. Meet the artist in person on Wednesday, November 18 from 6 – 8 PM where Vogel will give a live drawing demonstration.

Find Brittany on Instagram or learn more at her website.

Pilsener Haus is located at 1422 Grand Street in Hoboken.

Pilsener Haus & Biergarten has partnered with Main Street Pops to bring a series of pop-up arts programs to Hoboken’s up-and-coming North End. The series will feature local artist exhibitions, artisan markets, film screenings, immersive experiences and other cultural happenings, with the goal of bringing people together and boosting the local economy. The next event will be a COVID-compliant Outdoor Holiday Gift Market, scheduled for the first three Saturdays in December from noon to 6 p.m., featuring the works of many area artisans and makers.

“We were thrilled when Vince first approached us about joining forces to help expand the cultural offerings in town,” says Zabrina Stoffel, a founder of Main Street Pops. “Our company’s mission is to bring people together, and we are excited to have a partner that perfectly shares our goal to create a stronger sense of community in Hoboken.”

Pilsener Haus CEO Vince Crysler says he’s hoping to build on local relationships, and to make the biergarten a neighborhood gathering place. The team behind Pilsener Haus also owns the Kolo Klub, a premier event space in Hoboken, which provides additional capabilities for community happenings.

“We live in Hoboken and want to invest in it,” Crysler says. “Main Street Pops has quickly proven that they too care about our community, and the pop-up events they have produced have already made a major impact.” Main Street Pops’ recent fundraising film festival series raised over $20,000 for local organizations in need during the COVID pandemic.

For more information, visit MainStreetPops.com.