Artist Brittany Vogel paints iconic women she admires like Kamala Harris and Harriet Tubman.  Graphic portraits of her subjects pop against colorful collages depicting their accomplishments. "The series is called Powerful Women," Vogel says.  "It's meant to celebrate extraordinary women in history.  The idea is to amplify the stories, lessons, and achievements of amazing women.  If I could place a spotlight on these women, then there's an example others can follow.  It's really meant to be an inspiration for the next generation or to give strenth to women who are already trying to make their way." 

She didn't know that she would have to draw on that strength and inspiration herself to make her art.  

"In January of 2020 I did a mural at the Columbus Circle subway station called Suffagists Marching," she says.  "It was an interactive mural that was 12 feet wide and eight feet high.  They wanted me to actually make it in front of everybody as they were walking by.  I had never done anything like that before, to have commuters coming by and watching me make the work," Vogel found it daunting to be on display.  "I just thought of Susan B. Anthony and all the things that she had gone through, and I thought, 'Well, if she can do that, I can do this.'  It did give me strenth to just go ahead and do it."

Channeling Susan

Susan B. Anthony is especially meaningful to Vogel.  "The first powerful woman in the series was Susan B. Anthony," Vogel says.  "She was so instrumental in women gaining voting rights in this country.  She faced incredible hardship in order to try and push that vision forward."

The mural depicts suffragists marching in a New York City protest walk with picket signs.  Vogel created actual sings that passersby could hold to become part of the piece and enjoy a good photo op.  "I made signs that are more current-day; what women are trying to achieve now," Vogel says.

Home Works

These days, Vogel creates art in her Hoboken home.  She gave up her New York City studio in the early days of the pandemic.  She has lived in Hoboken since 1997, arriving after college to work for IBM.  She abandoned the corporate world after having her first child.  "He was two months early and had some health problems," Vogel says.  She became a stay-at-home mom but still wanted to create.  "I took the opportunity to become an artist," she says.  "It was about making space for myself."

Culture Kid

Despite a business background, Vogel had been interested in art since childhood.

"Growing up in my family, all of our vacations revolved around going to museums and castles," she says.  "My parents were always involved in supporting the arts.  When I moved to New York, I immediately joined the MoMA junior associates group which was an incredible education.  I've always been inspired by being around art.  Then I started working at the Art Students League of New York.  Its an amazing institution that's been around for more that 125 years.  It's by artists for artists."

Artists in Residence

Here in Hoboken, Vogel has noticed a growing art scene.  I think recently they have been trying to place more of an emphasis on art," she says.  "You see more murals popping up.  Main Street Pops is doing a lot of work with local artist as well."  Vogel is among them.  "I had a solo show last November and December at the Pilsener Haus with Main Street Pops," she says.  "That show featured the Powerful Women series."

"I just recently started creating prints to may my work more accessible," Vogel says.  "They are archival museum-quality prints that are hand-signed."

She adds, "I am now able to announce that in July your readers can also find my work at Unjumbold, 257 First Street in Hoboken." ---07030

Caren Lissner, Patch•November 9, 2020 

HOBOKEN, NJ — This month, Main Street Pops and Pilsener Haus (the Hoboken beer garden restaurant) kicked off a new Pop-Up Arts Program with an exhibit called “Powerful Women” by Hoboken-based artist Brittany Vogel.

The exhibit can be viewed in an "open air" environment through Nov. 30.

Main Street Pops@Pilsner is a series of curated events "designed to help bring more Arts Programming to Hoboken while creating a stronger sense of community," noted a release.

Vogel’s “Powerful Women” Series spotlights extraordinary women in history such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Harriet Tubman, Susan B Anthony, Nancy Pelosi, and a "coronavirus heroine," the organizers said.

The 40" x 30” mixed media on canvas original pieces will be available for purchase for $3,995, and unframed 18" x 24" open edition prints on archival paper hand signed by the artist of all pieces are for sale by special order for $175.

There will be a live drawing demonstration from the artist on Nov. 18.

"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," a release noted.

For more information go to:
www.mainstreetpops.com
www.pilsenerhaus.com
www.brittanyvogelart.com

Got news? Email Caren.Lissner@patch.com. Want to be the first to get news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning? Sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.

This article originally appeared on the Hoboken Patch

November 2, 2020 at 10:58 AM

HOBOKEN, NJ - 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 40x30” mixed media on canvas original pieces will be available for purchase for $3995.00, and unframed 18x24” 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 60x80 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

by Tracy Gavant

Main Street Pops, a pop-up programming company based in Hoboken, NJ  has rounded up the best gifts for each person on your list with an Outdoor Holiday Gift Market starting this Sunday, offering unique artisanal products from local makers, artists and creators.  Shoppers will find something for everyone; from fashion, jewelry and accessories to home goods, fine art, photography, artisanal food, kids’ stuff and even portraits and treats for your pet.

This COVID- compliant gift market is the latest installment of a new series of Arts Events produced by local Pop-Up programming powerhouse Main Street Pops. They’ve recently launched a partnership with Pilsener Haus. The series will feature various pop-up cultural events including local artist exhibitions, artisan markets, film screenings, immersive experiences and other art-related happenings, bringing much excitement to the hot up and coming North end of town. PILSENER Haus anchors Northwest Hoboken’s “Novia” neighborhood with its restaurant, Biergarten and Kolo Klub event space, and has quickly become a  community gathering place. Hoboken, Jersey City and the surrounding areas are home to many artists, makers and creators and the series will highlight their many creative offerings.  The program launched in November with an Art Show featuring the  “Powerful Women” series by award-winning local artist Brittany Vogel, which was just extended by popular demand through the month of December.

To allow plenty of room for COVID-compliant practices, the Outdoor Holiday Gift Market will take place at Pilsener Haus streeteries at both the Grand and 15th street locations in December from 12-6 pm (Dec. 6th, 12th and 19th). Featuring many local Hoboken artisans as well as makers from Brooklyn and surrounding New Jersey towns, each market will offer different vendors, giving residents a safe place to shop in person during the holidays.

www.mainstreetpops.com

Free registration at www.eventbrite.com

*Tickets are not required but ticket holders will be given priority if COVID space limitations are exceeded.

Please note: Even though the market is outside, mask-wearing and social distancing will be required.