Evan Ginzburg sent this in:
Pro wrestlers show artistic side in groundbreaking exhibit at AVC Art Gallery
A diverse group of artists united by their past careers in professional wrestling will be featured in an exhibit, “Beyond the Ring: The Art Careers of Professional Wrestlers,” in the Antelope Valley College Art Gallery Oct. 26-Nov. 13.
The gallery is located on the west side of campus, 3041 W. Ave. K, Lancaster. Shows are free to the public.
Featured artists include Steve Cepello, Marc Letzmann, and Jerry Lawler. Those familiar with the pro wrestling world might know them better as, respectively, “Steve Strong,” “Excalibur” and Jerry “The King” Lawler, who gained notoriety in the 1980s for wrestling comedian Andy Kaufman.
Other artists in the show include former wrestler Pete Bregman and Ted Lewin, author of “I Was a Teenage Wrestler.”
Cepello, who used to be part of a tag team with Jesse Ventura before Ventura was elected Minnesota governor, will present a talk during an opening reception, 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29.
Cepello was an artist long before he performed a body slam or piledriver. He was painting at age 7 and was the youngest student admitted to the Kachina School of Art in Phoenix.
“The exhibition is as much about art careers as it is about exploring the richness of each artist’s body of work,” said curator Christine Mugnolo. “The display juxtaposes Steve Cepello’s serene Southwestern-themed oil paintings to Pete Bregman’s vivid work in graphic novels and places Ted Lewin’s whimsical children’s book illustrations next to Marc Letzmann’s digital work in graphic design.”
In addition to finished works, many of the artists will exhibit storyboards, conceptual sketches and color studies, giving a peek into their creative process, according to Mugnolo.
Wall text and a brochure will explore the artists’ thoughts about the connection between their past performance in the ring and their current performances on the page, canvas and screen.
Also, the exhibition will acknowledge and explore the history of art’s connection to wrestling. An 18th century etching of a famous wrestling match will be compared to examples of wrestling legend Walt “Killer” Kowalski’s photographic work of the wrestling world.
The exhibit coincides with the Art Gallery’s film festival “Sound of the Body Slams: Wrestling in Documentary Film” on Saturday, Nov. 7, which includes talks by director Dwayne Walker and wrestling tag team the Ballard Brothers.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
THE ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE ART GALLERY PRESENTS
SOUND OF THE BODY SLAMS: WRESTLING INDOCUMENTARY FILM
Featuring:
The Premier Screening of Wrestling Then and Now, directed by Dwayne Walker
A Special Screening of Hard Knocks, a film by Arthur Cauty
Event date: Saturday, November 7, 7:30 p.m. ? 10 p.m
Event Location: AVC Campus, Building FA3, rm 163
The Antelope Valley College ArtGallery is proud to host the screening of two new documentary films, WrestlingThen and Now and Hard Knocks. In a special night of cinema entitled Sound of the Body Slams: Wrestling in Documentary Film, these two seminal films present an inside look at the art, business, and passion of professional wrestling.
From noted underground filmdirector Dwayne Walker and the Associate Producer of The Wrestler, Evan Ginzburg, Wrestling Then and Now takes you deep inside the pro wrestling world, particularly into the real East Coast Indy scene. If you?re a fan of ?old school?, who better than the late great Killer Kowalski, Nikolai Volkoff, and Don ?Dr. Death? Arnold to show you the ropes and talk about their philosophies on life? If you?re a fan of today’s wrestling, see a young, outspoken Homicide, hard icon Lowlife Louis Ramos and Indy stars like The Mambo King talk about all the aspects of the sport, from injuries to women’s division to overzealous fans and the ever-present ?paying dues?. Following the premier, director Dwayne Walker will be discussing the film and answering questions from the audience.
Indy Wrestler Ric Lieb describes Wrestling Then and Now as ?an interesting, entertaining, and informative documentary. Evan Ginzburg intelligently shows perspectives from Pro Wrestling’s past performers, present performers, future performers as well as their fans. You don?t have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy this video, it’s that good!?
From director and producer Arthur Cauty, Hard Knocks looks past the sneers and jeers to reclaim what professional wrestling actually is. Through interviews with wrestlers, referees, and promoters, including world famous stars of the WWE and the stars of tomorrow, this film creates an in-depth exploration of the tremendous skill, aptitude, and dedication required by this demanding art form. Be prepared to discover newfound respect and awe for those athletes that dedicate their lives and bodies to the ring. Following the screening, the film’s featured wrestling tag team The Ballard Brothers will be available for a question and answer session.
Sound of the Body Slams: Wrestling in Documentary Film coincides with the Art Gallery’s exhibition of Beyond the Ring: The Art Careers of Professional Wrestlers which will be specially opened for the public before the screening, 6:30 pm ? 7:30 pm.
ORDER OF EVENTS
7:30 pm Screening of Hard Knocks
8:10 pm The Ballard Brothers question and answer session
8:30 pm Premier Screening of Wrestling Then and Now
9:30 pm Discussion with director Dwayne Walker
The screening will be held in room 163, building FA3 (the Music Building) in the Fine Arts Quad on the west side of the Antelope College Valley Campus, 3041 West Avenue K. Gallery is located in building FA1 (theFine Arts Building) directly across the Fine Arts Quad from building FA3.
Please note these movies contain mature content and may not be suitable for young children.
EXHIBITION AND GALLERY EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Antelope Valley College Art Gallery TEL(661) 722 6300, extension 6215
3041 West Avenue K Gallery Hours: Mon ? Thurs. 9 a.m. ? 9 p. m.
Lancaster, CA 93534 Fri.12 p.m. ? 9 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.
WRESTLING THEN & NOW- THE MOVIE AVAILABLE FROM ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR DWAYNE WALKER & EVAN GINZBURG- ASSOCIATE PRODUCER OF THE WRESTLER
Wrestling Then and Now- The Movie was a fantastic documentary and the first of its kind coming from and focusing on the granddaddy of nostalgic monthly publications. Evan Ginzburg has worked hard for well over twenty years, involving all the many colorful characters from pro wrestling as well as the arts like jazz, new world beat, and most forms of music. Killer Kowalski and the late Tiger Khan and so many have been a part of WT&Now and are now further immortalized on film. It’s a wonderful piece of history and art and I can’t wait to re-watch it all over again!
Mike Lano, radio host and wrestling writer/photographer/historian from 1966 to current
?Wrestling- Then & Now- The Movie is a must see for both die hard fans as well as casual fans of the sport.?
? Brett Schwan www.wrestlingclothesline.com
It was seven years in the making.
But it’s finally here.
Wrestling- Then & Now- The Movie is a documentary from noted underground film director Dwayne Walker and the Associate Producer of The Wrestler, Evan Ginzburg.
Go on the road with Evan as he talks to the greats of the sport in a film that has something for everyone.
If you?re a fan of ?old school?- who better than the late, great Killer Kowalski, Nikolai Volkoff, and Don ?Dr. Death? Arnold to show you the ropes as they talk about not only wrestling but their philosophies on life and the extraordinary experiences they?ve had travelling the world?
And if you?re a fan of today’s wrestling, see a young, outspoken Homicide, hardcore icon Lowlife Louis Ramos and indie stars from coast to coast like The Mambo King talk about all aspects of the sport: injuries, ?the road?, the women’s division, overzealous fans, the ever-present ?paying dues,? and much, much more.
Plus one of the casualties of the wrestling game, Tiger Khan, talks about the path he was on- filmed just a few years before his untimely passing at age 33.
It’s a film that takes you deep inside the pro wrestling world- and particularly the real East Coast indie scene.
And for you fans of women’s wrestling, you don?t want to miss the clips of ultra stiff body builder, Kasie Kavanaugh, in her ring debut with former WWE worker Bryan Walsh. This is something truly different.
For a taste of the movie check out this You Tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZRl0NLR5q0
Multiple DVD extras add to this great value at only $20.00 including shipping and handling available from Dwayne Walker. Add $3 postage and handling for overseas orders.
Visit www.walkertown.com and www.wrestlingthenandnow.com for more details
Checks/money orders can be sent to:
Dwayne Walker
P.O. Box 2546
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Easy PayPal ordering at: dw@dwayne-walker.com
Whether you?re ?old school? or love the wrestling of today, you won?t want to miss Wrestling- Then & Now the movie. Order your copy today.
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