Glove Art for Richie Ashburn-Harry Kalas Foundation Dinner

The Richie Ashburn - Harry Kalas Foundation commissioned a custom painted glove as a fundraising item for their annual benefit dinner in Philadelphia last week (May 12, 2014).

A special vintage glove with a hand-painted rendition of the Foundation's handsome logo was created for the event, leaving plenty of space for player autographs.

Past and present Phillies signed the glove just before dinner was served, including Hall of Famer and Manager Ryne Sandberg and All-Star Ryan Howard (pictured above and below), Larry Bowa, Kyle Kendrick, Cody Asche, Gary 'The Sarge' Matthews, Ruben Amaro Sr., and Larry Anderson.

The 1940s Wilson glove became a one-of-a-kind keepsake for one lucky bidder during the evening's live auction.

Named after the Hall of Fame player and the Hall of Fame broadcaster, the Ashburn-Kalas Foundation provides free baseball camps for over 1,000 youths in the Philadelphia-area each summer.

A big thanks to the Ashburn-Kalas Foundation for asking me to create this custom artwork and for the opportunity to be a part of the event.

And this was an especially significant project for me. My first and favorite glove as a boy, the one that planted the seed for a love of classic gloves, was my dad's old childhood glove -- a Richie Asburn signature model. Incredible how life moments can come full circle sometimes.

I'm goin' to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come

Just seven weeks until my baseball glove artwork makes its museum debut.

I’ve got some butterflies. A big to-do list. And a smile from ear to ear.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City is presenting my baseball glove art as part of a new exhibit opening in May.

“Beisbol” will focus on Latin American baseball and its influence on the game in the U.S., including the Negro Leagues. It's a big story that I'm thrilled to have a role in helping to tell. After its KC debut the exhibit will travel the country for five years.

But I can’t pull back the curtain on the art just yet -- it will be unveiled at the special Opening Night reception at the Museum on May 15. (Hint: Become a Museum member to get an invite!)

The player I focused on was a Cuban star who also played in the Negro Leagues.

His is an amazing story that many fans may not be familiar with, which is why I wanted to create this work -- on a glove from his playing era, it includes a portrait and career highlights plus some flair to hint at the lively Latin approach to the game.

Ideally the glove painting will invite curiosity about this player and give a glimpse of his impact on the game.

Additionally, plans are being made to present other baseball glove paintings of mine in the ‘Beisbol’ exhibit -- a “mini-show” within the exhibit featuring paintings of a few players touched by the Latin leagues experience.

This is where some of the butterflies and big to-do list come in.

And the smile from ear to ear -- that comes from this opportunity the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum has presented, fulfilling a number of goals for this path I’m on.

As I make my way towards that plane trip in a month and a half, I’ll be sharing some of the process and progress along the way. Should be quite a ride.

Kansas City, Kansas City here I come...

______________________

photo by ImaginaryGirl

Baseball Art Show: Opening Party Recap Video

It'll take just slightly longer than a New York minute (68 seconds, to be exact) to catch a few moments from the Baseball Glove Art Show Opening Party.

Click below. (Also at this YouTube link. ) 

The event was held at the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse, New York City, where the paintings are on display.

Thanks to all in attendance for making the evening a home run! 

And special thanks to Jay Goldberg, owner of the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse.

And for the photos used in the video, big thanks to: Lorrie Gibson (one of my all-star aunts), Muneesh Jain (RoundingThird.net, his 30 Stadium Series), and Annie Levy (Photo Project Curator at AnnieLevy.com).

Baseball Glove Art Show Opens in New York City

Please join me for the Opening Night Party...

Friday, October 4, 2013 -- 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Bergino Baseball Clubhouse (gallery Facebook page)

67 E 11th Street (at Broadway), New York City

tel 212-226-7150  

Chat over a complimentary beer and ballpark snack while enjoying baseball art as never seen before.

See the lineup of all new glove paintings featuring baseball legends including Hank Aaron, Yogi Berra, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and a few surprises.

Original glove art will be available for purchase.

Hope to catch you there!