Corporate |
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Client: Nabisco International, Corporate Headquarters - Reception Area Criteria: Nabisco International, a food company, was interested in creating a gallery setting of eating scenes throughout the ages. Artist David Bierk was commissioned to appropriate John Francis, Paul Cezanne and Auguste Renoir. Bronze sculptures by Michi Raphael flank the gallery and add a contemporary flair. |
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Client: Nabisco International, Corporate Headquarters - Reception Area Criteria: Nabisco was interested in showing an international appeal of artwork throughout the space, but it was key to have the first work of art that one encounters over the reception desk to be very American. We purchased an antique wooden curved grille from a dealer. The piece was in excellent condition with an important historical provenance, the circular stairway of the Boston State house circa late 18th century. The central medallion is a coat of arms displaying the original 13 colonies stars and stripes surrounded by a marvelous decorative ball and leaf pattern. Through the years the wood had been painted over with layers and layers of white paint. The restorer, Donna Ross and I were deep cleaning the surface carefully with cotton balls and cotton swabs only to find gold leaf beneath the paint. It was clear from that moment on to restore the work to its original finish of gold leaf resulting in a stunning presentation and statement! |
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Client: PEFCO - Private Export Funding Corporation, Board Room Criteria: PEFCO illustrates their monetary funding capacity by selecting color photographs by Andrew Bush called the "Short Snorter" series portrays currencies from around the world from another era. During WWII, GI's collected and taped paper currencies together. It served as a journal keeping track of their travels and the people they encountered. Taped end to end these scrolls of money became known as "short snorters." Short snorters refers to: a short sleep before going into battle; a brief wind, or a short stay in port as well as a shot of whiskey. One dollar bills would usually start the "short snorter" off and could theoretically be used to buy a glass of whiskey when returning from battle. |
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Client: Provident Bank, Corporate Headquarters - Living Wall Criteria: The bank wanted to create a 100-year history wall depicting its growth in the number of service branches, asset values, technological advances and products through archival items and commissioned artworks. Watercolors and ceramic tiles depict the branches, collaged ledger papers emulate passbooks showing asset value growth every 10 years and bronze triangles act as the company's logo. This on-going project is the fruit of a collaborative effort between Diana Minotti and Donna Ross. |
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Client: EAB - European American Bank, Service Branch Criteria: The bank was interested in portraying a community appeal. Trips to the local historical society proved fruitful by reproducing a local vintage postcard of the area as a mural on linen, stretched and framed appearing as a vintage photograph or sepia toned painting. |
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Client: : EAB - European American Bank, Corporate Headquarters - Board Room Criteria: The board room was reconfigured into a teleconferencing room which required soft material artwork that would act as a sound barrier as the fabric batted walls. Another important factor was that the artwork did not have any glazing so as not to reflect glare from glass during live video feed. In order to continue the Asian theme as the rest of the executive area a wall hanging was purchased, relined and mounted on a rod with scroll-like finials. The "Ho-Ho bird" commonly known as the crane signifies longevity. Each crane holds a mushroom cloud which represents an ancient saying, "May It Be As You Wish". The third and last repetitive icon is a red fruit, the pomegranate signifying fertility. The tapestry was flanked by carved wooden Ranma (a pair of transoms) consisting of "Cranes And Pine Boughs" with black lacquer frames from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1900. Ranma was a common design element in Japanese architecture. The transoms are made of hinoki, a Japanese term for cypress wood. The soft wood was commonly used for carving. The transoms were positioned over doorways, and would allow air to travel through from one room to another. A popular and pleasing theme is illustrated, the "bird and flower". The crane is a tall bird with thin legs, a long graceful neck, and wide wings. Cranes and pines are thought to express long life because both live for many years. |
Hospitality |
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Client: Cardio-Fitness, Physiologist Desk and Fitness Area Criteria: Artist Joyce Lopez was commissioned to replicate the running baton with chrome tubes intricately designed with hand-dyed and hand wrapped silk threads. The elliptical prints by Yaacov Agam were also selected for their high power and high contrast of color to inspire energy during one's workout routine. |
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Client: Hunters Nite Club, Seating Area and Dance Floor Criteria: The interior design was to consist of a Native American Indian theme to coincide with the "warrior" logo and "hunter" name. Colors and fabrics of the sofas, love seats, bar stools, chairs and tables were specified and fabricated as well as the assorted artwork. Paintings, posters, hand painted leather wall hangings, and objects were gathered and installed. Authentic drums, rattles, flutes and rain sticks were placed on the dance floor wall. |
Institutional |
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Client: Daniel Webster Magnet School, Main Street Corridors Criteria: An annex building was added to the existing Gothic revival style prewar structure. It was important to reflect the traditional style of interior design and architecture of richly carved woods and stained glass windows. Hand-painted metal two-sided signs on brass brackets by Donna Ross were mounted as department signs throughout the school. The palette and style assimilated the WPA era signs that were commissioned by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce in the 1930's by famous local artists such as Norman Rockwell. |
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Client: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, Reception Area at Headquarters Criteria: The WCGMF is an organization that funds teachers and educational programs within the state of Connecticut. Children partook in this effort to create hand painted canvas squares illustrating their favorite aspects of school. Each image was quilted together by artist Donna Ross to form an eye-catching wall hanging that also serves as the entrance sign rather than a typical cut metal logo. |
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Client: Workmen's Circle Multi-Care Center, Courtyard Criteria: This courtyard underwent an entire renovation program consisting of new patio furniture, freshly potted plants and a 50-foot mural on the brick façade. Residents enthusiastically attended the on-site painting sessions by Donna Ross and Diana Minotti experiencing the design from chalk drawings to completely shaded trees, flowers, birds, butterflies and bumble bees. |
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Client: Jacobi Hospital, Pediatric Ward Criteria: This 80 foot cavernous hallway with mustard tile from floor to ceiling and windows on the other side left only the ceiling to decorate. Colorful nylon fire rated class A ceiling suspended banners were hung from the ceiling tile grid with barnacle clips through grommets. Five colors were repeated eight times and staggered left, center, right, center, left as a zig-zag pattern adding much vibrance to the area. |
Residential |
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Client: Private Residence, Dining Room and Home Office Criteria: A French wool tapestry was selected, border applied, linen backed and pocket created for a brass rod and decorative finials. Additional fine paintings, antique photographs and vintage prints were purchased, framed and installed. The den was decorated with sports memorabilia of "wish list" items requested by the owner. |
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Client: Private Residence, Living Room Criteria: This unsigned Hudson River primitive painting was in desperate need of restoration. Artist Donna Ross used bee's wax painted patches to restore the painting to its original look. The frame was also cleaned and repaired. The decorative scrolls were replaced with gesso and gold leaf. |