This is proving to be a big winter for local artist Tony Simione. On December 31 he welcomed his second son into the world. This coming Friday, January 9, he offers the inaugural exhibition for The Gallery, the new art space located at the Gateway Film Center.
Simione is thrilled about all of it.
“It’s been a crazy few months,” Simione says. “But with all the work, and painting, and doctor appointments, I find myself unbelievable fortunate. And at the end of the day – even if it’s in the wee hours of the morning – I have to admit, it’s all good!”
Originally from Youngstown, Simione graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design and began a successful career developing and creating toys and action figures, from Muppets to The Walking Dead, Marvel and DC Superheroes to Hello Kitty.
Simione’s artwork is just as diverse. He works in sculpture, acrylic, watercolor and more – all of which will be on display for his exhibit titled “Not Human – Creatures in Film.”
He says of the movie-themed exhibit, “As a toy designer, the monsters and creatures are always so intriguing. When I sat down and really started planning out what I wanted to do, I found myself not wanting to just use one style in my work. I felt that the theme would hold everything together, so why not go across the board with the looks of all the works? There will be some light-hearted watercolors, some more realistic painted sculptures, some darker acrylic paintings, a few ink drawings, and a couple graphic pieces. I’m hoping that there is a little something for everyone – much like the film industry itself.”
Gateway’s Director of Communications Johnny DiLoretto said that he and Gateway President Chris Hamel were familiar with Simione’s work, but the content for this exhibit still came as a thrilling surprise.
“I don’t think we expected this terrific mother lode of cool multimedia work… sculptures, prints, etc.,” he says. “Tony has taken a number of iconic villains and monsters and teased out something human in each of them. We couldn’t have asked for a better collection to open with than this.”
The Gateway/Simione pairing seems a natural fit. According to DiLoretto, it was Hamel’s interest in toys that brought the two together, and the pieces in Hamel’s collection already included figures by the local artist.
Simione was pleased last year to be asked to contribute some original work to coincide with Gateway’s annual Hitchcocktober, a collaboration that led to bigger things.
“During Hitchcocktober, Chris Hamel and John Umland called me and explained what they were planning with The Gallery at the Gateway and offered me a chance to be the first artist,” he says. “Mind blown!”
DiLoretto says of The Gallery, “We’ve been talking about doing something dynamic and exciting in the auditorium hallway for a year or more now. Essentially, we just kept talking and thinking about how we could transform the hallway into an experiential space for our guests – where they could experience something cinematic and memorable before or after their movie. Eventually, that led us to art. And, boom, the idea of the Gallery was born.”
The goal is to emphasize the connection between art and film, primarily through the work of local artists.
“I think it’s safe to say that we don’t want to close ourselves off to any themes or artists, but it definitely makes sense for us to, as much as we can, mine that place where specifically movies and art collide,” says DiLoretto. “There’s a wealth of local artists who are doing cinematically-inspired work — and still others who are willing to explore movie-themed art.”
DiLoretto confirms that local artist Adam Brouillette will follow Simione, taking over the space in April. For the space’s early exhibits, Gateway is relying on community and friends to help them identify artists, but they hope that may change.
“Eventually we expect artists to learn about the space and approach us about getting into it,” says DiLoretto. “It’s prime eyeball real estate. Anyone coming to see a movie will pass through the gallery, and that’s more than 100,000 people every few months who will see their work.”
“I’m very honored that they would ask me and I can only hope that I don’t let them down,” says Simione. “In the end I hope that the viewers just have fun with it the way I did making it.”
The Gallery opens Friday, January 9th and is free for all Gateway ticket holders.
For more information visit gatewayfilmcenter.com.
A full slate of movie reviews is available on my website www.maddwolf.com. You can also follow me on Twitter @maddwolf and like me on Facebook at facebook.com/MaddWolfColumbus.