Emerging Artists Show

Phatal Industries is a multi-faceted entertainment company comprised of three sub-entities: Phatal Records, Phatal Sk8boards, and Phatal Films. Our goal is to disseminate a unique entertainment experience to all audiences through our own music, films, and skate culture. We also respect the craft of others and value collaboration amongst artistic minds to further everyone's goal of success.

"Phatal Industries Presents" is a series in which artists in all genres are given the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of a diverse audience.

The Emerging Artists Show is an exhibition of paintings by three local D.C. visual artists. Each artist has been painting for years but between day jobs and life (!) haven't had much artistic exposure in their own community. This show will give emerging artists like these the chance to showcase their passion and talent in a gallery exhibition (complete with opening reception) and an opportunity to sell a painting or two right here in D.C.!

The show's opening reception will not only be a celebration of accomplishment for its featured visual artists, but also a platform for musical guest performers. In keeping with the "emerging artists" theme, these acts will consist of local talent looking to gain exposure and a wider audience.

Audience members themselves can expect to see and hear the products of artists in this community, support their works, and have a great time mixing and mingling amongst a diverse D.C. crowd. At this event, EVERYONE has something to gain!

The first Emerging Artists Show will be held at {Cre8} Space Studio Gallery, 1314 9th Street NW. The exhibition will run from May 28-31. Opening reception will take place May 28 from 8 pm - 12 am.

Henriette "Henny" Mendo was born in London, England. Her family is originally from the beautiful West African land of Sangmelima, Cameroon. Her parents traveled a lot when she was young finally settling in the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. As a young child she was very artistic and loved to do drawings with her father. Henny was reintroduced to the world of art during her college years, as her love and deep interest in the genre drove her to major in Fine Arts. In addition to the visual arts, she also loves music and dance. Her works of art reflect the culture of hip-hop music, dance, and the deep roots of her African heritage. Her portraits of hip-hop artists are visually captivating as she exaggerates the nature of their character. Her medium is acrylic and oils. She has done several show throughout the D.C. area including the H Street Festival where she has sold her works. For more information you can visit her Web site at www.alphaomegadigital.com/hmendo.

Stephanie Bonifant grew up in rural Maryland and has been showing her paintings in D.C. since 2002. She received a BA in Studio Art from St. Mary's College of MD where she had the opportunity to study abroad in The Gambia, West Africa. There she apprenticed with a renowned batik artist and her paintings are often reminiscent of the vibrant colors and textures found in batik. Her paintings have a strong color palette and incorporate materials such as beeswax and epoxy resin, which allow her to move images into the physical space of her audience. She juxtaposes opposing textures and colors in her paintings to allow for a high saturation and contrast creating a tension between the glass-like surface of the resin and the dull, matte quality of wax. The shapes in her paintings, although not attributed to an object or image, often evoke very specific responses in her audience and have been compared to anything from fish to farm tools.

Evgeniya Parish currently resides in Washington, D.C. but was born and raised in southern Russia. She moved to Manhattan, KS at the age of 15 and received her bachelors in Fine Art, oil painting, from Kansas State University. This is also where she had her first chance to show her work. In order to give a strong image to viewers, she uses a mixture of media including oil, photographs, charcoal, acrylic paint and gel among other things. Most of her work is based on life experiences with subject matter varying from personal childhood and cultural experiences (growing up in Russia) to political statements and everything in between. She believes that even the darkest places have a great deal of light, and that is what she attempts to show in her work. Influences for her paintings are simply people; she is inspired by them throughout her life. As she says, "I would like for people to relate to each other and understand one another through my work. I wish for myself and all people to find beauty in all the imperfections of artwork, each other, and life in general."

{Cre8} Space Studio Gallery is an open space heralding a unique ambiance for the community to partake in all things arts & humanities. Their mission is to inspire creation. They offer the next generation of artists, designers, entrepreneurs, as well as community members the free space to create, practice, participate, develop and commune. The gallery is located at 1314 9th Street, NW Washington, D.C.