Ready... ORNOT
New Gallery Opens with Local Jamaican-American Artist Kenrick McFarlane
Show opens Saturday, July 7 - Runs through September 30
 The "ORNOT" Gallery (located within READY Coffee, 1562 N Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60622, 773-360-7041) opens with its first show 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 27, showcasing the works of promising local Jamaican-American artist, Kenrick McFarlane. The show runs through September 30.The show is being curated by Cody Davis, a READY Coffee barista, photographer and manager of the ORNOT Gallery.
Still in his early twenties (born in 1990) and with plans to graduate from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFA, 2014), McFarlane has already built an impressive résumé, having his works featured at exhibitions, public and private galleries and publications while earning the respect of other artists.
His works have been featured at numerous galleries including the Little Black Pearl Art Center and Gene Siskel Film Center, and have been published in several publications including a feature article in HAS Magazine, "Welcome to Kenrick McFarlane's Twisted Reality." His work also was shown at the international Expo Chicago 2012 in Chicago (2012 / Eclectic Coherence / Curated by Dawoud Bey).
 In the summer of 2010, McFarlane worked as a studio assistant under famed Chicago artist Hebru Brantley. Brantley has become one of several high profile artists or collectors to own pieces by McFarlane. Other owners include Patric McCoy and Bill Savage of Diasporal Rhythm, collectors or contemporary art by African-American artists.
McFarlane has donated his works to River North Dance Chicago¬ and the Golden Apple Foundation.
Such success at a young age can be attributed not only to his talent, but also his philosophy as an artist. "In the world there are many kinds of verbal languages. There are also a variety of visual languages. Within my practice, I'm trying to find paintings that are engaging to make and have a unique pictorial language," says McFarlane.
About ORNOT Gallery
READY Coffee brings to the Bucktown-Wicker Park area of Chicago a new space to feature local artists whose passion often involves controversial, poignant, and social statements.
"We are looking to be a real player in the Chicago art scene," said READY Coffee's owner, Adam Banks. "We're used to coffee shops hanging art up on the walls as a secondary attempt to 'be local', but we are focused on being local in the best sense of the word. We are looking to really support local artists and we're not afraid of pushing the edge."
To further showcase artwork, READY Coffee has an Art-o-Mat machine, a uniquely refurbished vintage cigarette vending machine that has been converted to sell small pieces of art wrapped in cigarette boxes. The art sells for only $5. "The Art-O-Mat is the coolest machine that I have ever seen," said Banks. "There is one in the National Portrait Gallery (a Smithsonian Museum) and it's really a beautiful piece of art in and of itself." Anyone interested in providing art objects for READY's Art-o-Mat should call the store at (773) 360-7041.
Like ORNOT Gallery on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ornotgallery and follow on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ornotgallery. Interested artists should contact Cody at ornot@readycoffee.com.
About Cody Davis, curator
Cody Davis is a READY Coffee barista and manager of the ORNOT Gallery. A native of rural Arkansas, he moved to Chicago to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and to escape the oppression of living in the south as a gay man. A photographer whose work is displayed at READY Coffee, his work has evolved to include in various media.
We would love for you and a guest to attend
this Saturday's opening at 6 p.m., July 27
Please join the team at ORNOT Gallery and READY Coffee
as well as Artist Kenrick McFarlane
for a lovely evening of art, nibbles and
Certified Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.
Please RSVP to kurmanstaff@kurman.com.
ORNOT Gallery
1562 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago's Bucktown-Wicker Park Neighborhood
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