All You Need Is...Hope & Love

ALL YOU NEED IS...HOPE & LOVE: As we enter the ninth month of ART IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS — closer than ever to returning to versions of DIRTY FRANK’S and OFF THE WALL that are just about “normal” — we are thrilled to pause for a celebration. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD! We send nothing but LOVE out to one of our very favorite artists, who, as luck would have it, was recently able to celebrate a little early with eight sales in May — doubling her tally for a show that has largely been hidden away from public view. This next year promises to be very different. CHEERS, Natalie, and enjoy your day!!

NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD
“Love”
hand-drawn illustration
ink on paper
145.
multiple unique originals available

Extra, Extra!

DIDYAHEAR that we’ll be OPEN — for the first time since Friday, January 22 — 1-10 PM TODAY and TOMORROW (2/5 and 2/6)!?! Yes, after a cold spell, including that snowstorm that wouldn’t end, DIRTY FRANK’S will be serving, and many of us will happily be gathering for beverages and the conviviality that accompanies them. BOB GORCHOV and his regal figures help spread the word. Please follow suit by all means, and we look forward to seeing you at the bar...and at the gallery you can peruse either here online or from afar, through the ordering window!

BOB GORCHOV
“the king’s ear”
mixed media on canvasette
100.

Art Motivates Life

In today’s Philadelphia Inquirer, maverick artist CONRAD BENNER announced FIRST 100 DAYS, an inspired and inspiring new project in collaboration with our friends MURAL ARTS PHILADELPHIA. Conrad asked 10 talented peers to create poster art “highlighting a priority that the artist thinks Joe Biden and Kamala Harris should address during the first three months in office.” Always fans of persuasive posters — especially those that can influence local and national conversations — we love the project design, and we are particularly proud that two OFF THE WALL artists are among the commissioned artists. MARISA VELÁZQUEZ-RIVAS reminds us that true climate justice is a question of equity: “Climate change is a #racialjustice problem. If you’re a person of color you’re more likely to live in locations terrorized by toxic facilities, flooding, climate-related disease, and other issues.” NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD evokes classic Soviet imagery to back up her call for mass vaccinations: “I can’t think of anything more urgent right now than getting COVID-19 vaccines to more people. If we can inoculate as many Americans as possible within the first part of this new year, we can and will save lives.” If you want YOUR OWN COPIES of these posters, please show up at #LeVirtù (1927 East Passyunk Avenue) next Saturday, January 30, 2-4 PM. MORE POWER...to the posters, to the President and, ultimately, to the people!

The 21st

Have you noticed something in the air today? There's a bounce in our steps. Our burdens seem lighter. It feels like a new day. The 21st DAY of the 21st YEAR of the 21st CENTURY, to be precise! No wonder. (And doubtless the 46th has a hand in this, too.) While we're riffing on this number, we remembered Mr. Bowie saying of his alter ego's genesis, “We were creating the 21st century in 1971.” Cue NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD and one of her most inspired pieces in our current show. Plus, before we put a pin in the number, keep in mind that the 21st Amendment — repealing Prohibition — is one of our favorites.

NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD
“Ziggy Stardust”
hand-drawn illustration
ink and paint on paper
125. framed
multiple unique originals available

This Land Was Made for You and Me

We will gladly call on BOB GORCHOV and one of his vibrant canvases to help cap a sullied era of American leadership, politics and identity with "The Old King." A dictatorship rises and falls. A democracy is designed to thrive — but it takes all of our good citizenry, engagement and activism to make it work the way it should. And on that note, as neighbors and regulars gather at DIRTY FRANK'S right now (even with snow showers) to watch the swearing in and address, we heartily invite you to join us this evening for today's special INAUGURATION DAY HAPPY HOUR, 5-7 PM! We have a host of cocktail specials from Inaugural Orange Punch to the Irish Joe to a Kamala Tea Drink — plus plenty of opportunities to cheer for a restoration of faith in good governance in the executive branch. Yes, together we did much to SAVE DIRTY FRANK'S last weekend, raising more than $9,000 (more about that later); now we are taking a critically important step to SAVE THE WORLD. Thank you for your part!

BOB GORCHOV
"The Old KIng"
mixed media on canvasette
150.

Just 5 Hours Left to Bid (until 7 PM)

That means we're officially 45 hours into our first-ever SAVE DIRTY FRANK'S / SAVE THE WORLD art auction. But the busiest time lies ahead! After all, we have 15 new works — all second pieces by artists already in the auction — bringing the total up to 75. And ALL 75 are still up for bid @dirtyfranksbar (on Instagram!). Plus, you know that kind of bidder who likes to sweep in at the last minute and scoop up your coveted piece at 6:59 PM, right? So be on the lookout if you come into the final hour as the top bidder on a work you really want. Keep hitting refresh! In the meantime, check out a very strong Round #5 with a lively mix of media and voices, including this wonderful painting on parachute cloth that ERICA HARNEY presents as a 60x60 wall hanging. It's a reminder, as with any virtual show, that we cannot wait to meet all of the artwork IN PERSON! There will never be a substitute for that experience.

ERICA HARNEY
“Fishtown Map Scroll”
acrylic on parachute cloth
60x60
starting minimum bid: 100.