Discovering the Game That Was

Portraying America's Pastime: Baseball Glove Art by Sean Kane

Exhibition-Ready Program for Your Venue

What

A ready-to-install exhibit presenting Sean Kane's baseball-themed paintings utilizing classic baseball gloves as his canvas – artworks which highlight the game's history and feature some of the greats who shined on the diamond.

Available artwork

Twelve to thirty framed and display-ready paintings and photographic prints of glove paintings are available, depending upon venue size and scope of desired exhibit.

Here is a sampling of available artworks (gloves and photo prints of gloves) for exhibit: Click on image to enlarge, then hover cursor over image to read art label text. Other Painted Gloves can be viewed in my Archives.

Themes of artwork include:

• The Negro Leagues, which are celebrated the 100th Anniversary of their founding in 2020.

• Women in Baseball, including two teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (fictionalized in the movie, "A League of their Own") and women playing on the Indianapolis Clowns Negro League team.

• Integration in Baseball, players with Negro League roots who made big league impacts after Jackie Robinson’s entry into the league.

• Popular Culture & Baseball, including highlighting the baseball anthem, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”, and “Casey at the Bat”.

• All-Star, Hall of Fame players spanning several generations of the game.

About the artwork

Each baseball glove ‘canvas’ is chosen to reflect the era, fielding position and catching hand of its subject.

The acrylic paintings combine portraiture, period-specific hand lettering and graphic elements to create a connection to the individual depicted.

Who

Sean Kane, Professional artist for 25 years.

• Artworks in permanent collection of Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, Cooperstown, NY and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City, MO.

• Participation in exhibits across the country including Kansas City, MO; New York City; Tulsa, OK; South Carolina, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Arizona.

• Baseball clients include Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers Fantasy Camp, Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.

• Artworks available in Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum gift shop.

• Recipient of Ontario Arts Council creation grant and recognized as Artist of the Month by National Art Museum of Sport.

• Chicago-area native now residing in Ontario, Canada.

More detail in Press Kit and CV: Sean Kane Press Kit
LinkedIn profile: seankaneillustration

Why

These works are intended to evoke special memories for the viewer of a first glove, favorite players and baseball moments they’ve experienced.

They are also meant to playfully attract and engage the unfamiliar fan, sparking curiosity about players, eras of the game and the gloves themselves.

They can be a means for helping to connect your patrons, visitors and the community with local and regional history and impacts of baseball that surround us.

The work derives from a desire to visually connect my passion for the game’s history, the look of the game on and off the field, and a fondness for vintage mitts since childhood, when I was given my father’s old glove.

When

An exhibit featuring Painted Gloves and prints of glove art can be shipped within weeks to a venue for installation .

How

All artworks are ready to display, either framed or mounted to hang, others with acrylic cube display cases for shelf or pedestal. Examples in photos.

Artworks range in size from the smallest at approximately 16x16 inches to the largest ones at 36x18 inches and 22x30 inches.

Wall labels are written and can be customized to incorporate local connections and stories relating to the subject. Can be delivered printed on mat board ready to hang.

Promotional graphics and branding are established and designed, ready to be customized and adapted. Example shown.

Assistance with marketing is at hand with ability to speak to local media and research baseball industry and history experts in the area as potential consultants, attendees or event sponsors.

Where

Public or gallery space in an arts, cultural or civic institution, conference space and hospitality venues with virtually any amount of wall space. Ideal size: 50 to 100 horizontal feet of wall space, comparable to a 15' x 15' to 30' x 20' room

Example:

A private 500 sq. foot loft design studio was used for a one-night show of 19 of these artworks in February 2020, seen below. In this case, the exhibit was set up as an informal ballpark theme, including baselines. (And Cracker Jack for ballpark snacks!) The art would be right at home in more traditional, museum-like surroundings as well.

Audience Response

Guest book comments and reactions to Baseball Glove Art exhibit:

"Amazing work – Unique!" • Ron G.
"Stunningly art directed to the nines! So impressive." • Nick C.
"Incredible work! First time I've seen your work in person and I'm blown away." • Jamie K.
"Fantastic – I love Toni Stone!!" • Sheila K.

And comments from the baseball community:

"Loving the unique baseball art on classic gloves being produced by Sean Kane. Very, very cool."
Dan Evans, Former L.A. Dodgers' General Manager
•
"‘Thrilled to unveil an original piece from artist Sean Kane as part of our new Negro Leagues Beisbol exhibit! Outstanding!"
"His work is amazing!"
Bob Kendrick, President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
•
"Kane's attention to detail comes through in every little brushstroke. First-rate!"
ESPN.com

Track Record

Since 2013 Baseball Glove Art has been successfully exhibited in a range of venues and formats, from a solo exhibit in a New York City gallery to part of a historical exhibit on Latin Baseball at a Kansas City museum.

Exhibit list is available at my press kit page: Sean Kane Press Kit
References are available upon request.

Costs

There are no fees required to host an exhibit of glove art. I request that host venues allow sales of the artwork and other items (cards, small booklets, etc.) pertaining to the art, where possible. Sales of artwork funds framing, shipping, promotional costs and travel expenses required to stage a show of this work.

In museum settings and places where art sales are not permitted, I welcome a discussion of other funding options to cover operating expenses for the exhibit, if necessary.

Sponsorships supporting the exhibit, including funding for single-site exhibits and a multi-city tour of this exhibit, are being sought. Inquiries are welcome. Click for contact info.

Let's Talk

Contact me about hosting an exhibit of Baseball Glove Art. I’ll look forward to learning more about your venue and how a show could help create some fun and value for your institution, patrons and community.

Best,

Email sean@seankane.com Phone 519-836-5647 Or via the Contact form here.

Additional images and info on my social media @paintedgloves (Opens in new window):
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