You may remember Kevin from the former 4222 Gallery in port Jefferson where he was an artist in residence or the Studio Visits series from last year. If you don’t here is the first video of a five video series to boost your memory.

Aleks “Marlo” D. had a chance to catch up with Kevin last week and to offer him a show at the the Roger Smith Hotel. Although elated by the proposition, Kevin could not express his joy since he had a recent accident that impaired his ability to do so.

Kevin Garcia’s art work is a reflection of his own cultural fusion. Born and raised in Mineola, NY, as a first-generation American of Colombian descent, Kevin’s background has greatly impacted the varied themes and media reflected in his art. One of his earliest memories of a trip back to Colombia, was being the sole person repeatedly awoken by a roosters crow in the early morning hours on an Uncle’s farm. As a child, the sound was awe-inspiring, and in some way, came to represent his connection to the foreign land. Over the years, the rooster became an intimate symbol for Kevin, using it interchangeably in his art work to express human action and emotion.

Show Coming December ‘09

Opening to be announced:

Baking into the night, Anita Sharp of Electric Blue Baking Company led a team of Roger Smith personalities in our quest to make pies for charity. On Monday November 23, John Birdsong and Morgan-Jo Teller assisted Anita till 4 am in the first round of the process, making the crusts.

Tuesday night a variety people participated in the process of pie making, allowing for us to complete the orders that were made. Throughout the night we were accompanied by Ek Wongleechareon, Niki D’Alonzo, Aleks Degtyarev, Abianne Prince and myself (John Knowles). Built from scratch and made with a vegan twist, we all put our energy into 25 delicious pies.

Of the twenty-five pies, ten were purchased by the Roger Smith Hotel for Lily’s Restaurant and were served on their Thanksgiving menu. Thirteen were purchased through the Roger Smith Pop Up shop and two were offered to the Roger Smith Hotel Staff at the front desk. It brought great holiday spirit to the Roger Smith Community.

A percentage of proceeds from the Charity Pie event at the Roger Smith Hotel will go to the New York City Food Bank. For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide 5 meals. The great part of donating to the New York Food Bank is that Fed-ex will match every dollar donated.

This holiday season, 3.3 million New Yorkers are having trouble affording food. You can support those in need by Going Orange. When you donate funds, host a Virtual Food Drive, volunteer your time or spread the word, you’re helping end hunger in New York City. For more information visit foodbanknyc.org.

Happy Holidays from Panman Productions and the Roger Smith Hotel.

Fleabags are ideal Fleamarket totes. Friends and family have used them for weekends away, trips to the beach, jaunts to the grocery store and to carry anything numerous or unwieldy. They are sturdy and made of eco-friendly materials. Organic cotton/hemp canvas, vegetable-tanned, american and Italian leather water-based Ink, locally made in New York by hand in Limited Edition.

Shira Entis, a fashion designer and lover of all things tiny and over-sized, and Alex Bell, a lawyer and seeker of adventures, have been fleamarket addicts since they met ten years ago at Brown University. Frustrated by the inconvenience and environmental hazard of accumulating several plastic bags while marketing, they craved a convenient and fashion-hot tote that could fit all of their wares. Fleabags are designed as their ideal solution dapper, large, lightweight and sturdy carry-alls that are also eco-minded. Thus the brand Fleabags began in 2009 while both still worked their day jobs in New York City.

THEY ARE ECO FRIENDLY

An important part of the Fleabags venture was to create a bag that was as Green as possible while maintaining high quality and covetable design. Thus much research was put into the types of canvas, leather and parts available in the United States that would fit their eco-friendly standards. Fleabags are wholly sourced in the US and made in New York of certified organic cotton / hemp canvas, vegetable-tanned leather and water-based silkscreen ink. Fleabags use no glues or toxic paints, just good old fashion sewing.

On December 7th and 8th, there will be a Holiday Shopping Event for the masses. We will be showcasing our favorite emerging designers from Homemade BFF’s & Roger Smith Life. The event will take place on Monday and Tuesday night from 6-10pm at The Roger Smith Hotel- 501 Lexington Avenue, NYC.

Designers scheduled to participate at our shopping party event are NFP Studio by Gail Travis, DOLITA by Dolita Paris, Lejkarama by Lejka Sievert and Nicole Arama, Poupette by Geri Roucaute, CLO Intimo by Claudia Ochoa, Fleabags by Shira Entis and Alexandra Bell, Peter Charles Scarfs, Alex Pimienta Jewelry, Victoria & Richard MacKenzie-Childs, BOOBA by Nicole Arama, Argan Oil Beauty by Jebel and Others.

This shopping event is produced by Panman and Lion’esque Productions. Musical Performances produced by Folk Yeah! Sponsored by Voli Spirits! Come visit their tasting table.

Fashion highlight from the Roger Smith Popup Shop.

Happy Shopping!