Pictures at the Opening! Chris Steele Exhibits a Fabulous Collection of Antique Penny Scales

My eccentric friend Chris Steele is an artist, designer, model maker, inventor of of odd contraptions, spin-art virtuoso, founder of Citizens for a Better Skyline (pioneering the first murals to appear in the Short North), photographer, ceramist, and accumulator of assorted weird stuff. I first met him in 1972 when we opened Benchworks, a fine crafts collective in German Village. He brought an enormous old penny scale he had rescued from the then recent demolition of old Central Station. I agreed to let him place it at the entrance of our store and he came around regularly to collect his coins. The many scales he has kept on collecting throughout these past 4 decades now make part of the largest private collections of these once ubiquitous marvelous objects, sought by museums, history buffs and collectors all over the world. Find out how you can see that amazing collection by reading below.

-charlie 

The American Weigh: Christopher Steele Collection

The Ohio State University Urban Arts Space

50 W. Town St., Columbus, Ohio 43215

Phone: 614-292-8861

Show opens February 2 - closes March 7, 2010

Reception: Friday February 26, 2010 5-7pm

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 11 am to 6 pm

Thursday: 11 am to 8pm

Free Admission

Special Arnold Sports Festival Hours

Sunday March 7th 11am to 6pm

(Closest Arnold Shuttle Stop: #5)

The American Weigh: Christopher Steele Collection

For a half century, Americans relied on penny scales to watch their weight.

At their peak, over 10 billion pennies were dropped into these colorful machines annually.

“The American Weigh” spotlights 50 different penny scales and spans

100 years of industrial design.

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Pictures at the Opening Reception

Penny scale detail

Chris with a scale

Welcoming guests

Scales in-a-row

 

With good friend Candy

These functional, attractive scales were, at one time, as common as finding a wi-fi spot today. Who ever predicted they would become art pieces shown in galleries, museums or private collections?

 

"Gotta love them scales!" Chris and Trina each hugging a favorite.

Ceramic Artists Tom Radca & Brenda McMahon updates

my friends Tom & Brenda are in Florida for the next few months, doing art shows, gallery openings and conducting ceramic (clay) workshops. Drop by for a visit or take a class! -charlie

Gallery Opening Reception This Friday.
 
On Friday night, I will celebrate the Opening Reception of a month-long ceramic exhibit at St. Petersburg Clay Company in Florida with Brenda McMahon.  Our Opening Reception begins on Friday, February 19th from 7pm - 9pm.  The show of platters, vessels & tiles runs from February 19 thru March 27th. 

This exhibit is a preview of what you'll learn about if you sign up for our Southern Version of "Large & Loose, Polished & Poetic" at St. Pete Clay Company.  There are still spaces available.  Call St. Pete Clay Company at 727-896-CLAY for more information.

There's Still Time to Sign Up For Our Two-Day Workshop. Large & LOOSE, Polished & Poetic is gearing up for our Florida debut and there are still spaces available.  On February 27 & 28 our 2-day firing intensive and demonstration workshop will be held at St. Petersburg Clay Company.  The workshop runs from 10am - 5pm.  Here's a sneak peak of what you can expect. During the weekend, I will teach participants how to increase the amount of clay they can throw and how to loosen up while doing it.  Brenda McMahon will open her 'toolbox of skills' and teach students everything they need to know about saggar firing.  Bring 1 to 6 pots for the saggar firing...but if you don't have pots made, Brenda is making a bunch of spares for you to fire and take home.  This workshop is open to students of all skill levels.  The cost is $250.  Call 727.896-CLAY or email St. Pete Clay Company to register today!  For a more complete description, click here.