Discovering the Game That Was: Art Show Featuring Baseball Glove Paintings

Event Features Paintings by Sean Kane Providing a Glimpse Into the Game’s History

The public is invited to a one-night art event and reception presenting Guelph artist Sean Kane’s baseball-themed art on Thursday, February 6.

Paintings highlighting some of the greats who shined on the diamond and which utilize classic baseball gloves as the canvas will be on display at the Trafalgar Building, 123 Woolwich St, in downtown Guelph from 5pm to 10pm.

Oscar Charleston, Negro Leagues legend portrayed here as an Indianapolis ABC on a vintage mitt— He played First Base later in his career.

The 18 artworks in the exhibit include gloves featuring Babe Ruth, Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, Yogi Berra, Oscar Charleston, Toni Stone and more – figures and stories from baseball's past and developments within the game and contemporary culture of the time touching on the Negro Leagues, women in baseball, and even music in the game.

Sean’s art is in the permanent collection of The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY, and he is a 2019 Ontario Arts Council grant recipient.

Sean's paintings are a double-play combination of portraiture and hand-lettered designs on era-specific mitts, some a century-old, aiming to spark baseball-related memories and transport viewers to new discoveries of those who played the game.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game composer Albert Von Tilzer on back of 1900’s glove, the same decade the song was written.

His baseball paintings have been exhibited at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City, and Sherman Miller Museum of Jewish Art, Tulsa, and recognized by the Museum of American Sports Art.

Sean's works are in private collections of Hall of Fame players and baseball fans across North America. The Philadelphia Phillies, Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Milwaukee Brewers Fantasy Camp and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital are among the institutions for whom Sean has created his one-of-a-kind paintings.

An Ontario Arts Council grant provided funding support for creating artworks in this exhibition.

Blue Jays ace Roy ‘Doc’ Halladay featured wearing a uniform reminiscent of those the team wore in 1979.

Thanks to event supporters WriteDesign and Wellington Brewery.

The event is free and open to the public, no RSVP required.

Discovering the Game That Was: Baseball Portraits on Classic Era Gloves
Paintings by Sean Kane
Thursday, February 6
5-10pm
Trafalgar Building, 123 Woolwich St, Suite 101
Downtown Guelph, ON N1H3V1

Viewing by appointment on Friday, February 7th.

Contact sean@seankane.com

Glove Paintings in North Carolina Art Exhibition

"Baseball as Art" exhibit showcases five Baseball Glove Artworks.

The Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby, NC celebrates baseball-inspired art in the annual "Baseball as Art" exhibition, opening August 6th.

My Ted Williams, Hank Greenberg, Minnie Minoso, Tom Seaver and Roberto Clemente baseball glove paintings are on display in this group show.

The exhibit runs through September 12th in the beautiful former post office space and includes a number of baseball-themed images by several artists.

The exhibit opens in conjunction with the American Legion Baseball World Series, which brings baseball fans and families from around the countey to the Shelby-area during the tournament.

A big THANKS to the Cleveland County Arts Council for the invitation to have a role in the show! Their enthusiasm for the arts and special programming is impressive and it's an honor to be associated with this special event.

Photos courtesy of Jason Dahlheimer and Cleveland County Arts Council.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Exhibit: Latin Beisbol Art

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City opened their "Negro Leagues Beisbol" exhibit last week (May 16, 2014).

The exhibit includes a collection of five glove paintings featuring players who exemplified the relationship between the Negro Leagues and Latin baseball.

A glove painting I created highlighting the career of Cuban great Martin Dihigo made its public debut at the VIP Sponsors Opening Night Celebration held at the museum. 

The artwork on a vintage 1940s glove is now part of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's permanent collection.

The new exhibit explores the rich cultural and historical connection between American-born Negro Leaguers and players of Hispanic descent, who often played in each other's leagues. 

Five Painted Gloves on display at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City.

Other art in the exhibit includes Willie Mays and Hank Aaron glove paintings, both of whom played in the Negro Leagues and in Latin American.

The great Puerto Rican Roberto Clemente is also represented on a painted glove in the exhibit.

Another Cuban great, Minnie Minoso, is represented on a glove painting in the exhibit. While maybe best known as a Chicago White Sox player, Minoso was active in the Negro Leagues and the Cuban League, where he won Rookie of the Year in 1945-46.

The opening celebration included many former Negro League players, including Enrique Maroto, Pedro Sierra, George Altman and others.

With museum president Bob Kendrick.

What great stories I got to hear, including what it was like to be starting pitcher in the East-West Negro Leagues All-Star game in front of 50,000 at old Comiskey Park. Priceless.

I also had the pleasure of visiting with museum supporters, former major leaguers Willie Wilson and Bobby Dernier, and the hard working team at the NLBM, including museum president Bob Kendrick and curator Dr. Ray Doswell.

And, all of this is taking place in Kansas City, where in 1920, Rube Foster lead the forming of the Negro National League.

The "Negro Leagues Beisbol" exhibit continues until September 30, 2014. The exhibit is presented by Sprint and the Kauffman Foundation and admission is free to the public.

Definitely plan to stop by 18th & Vine for an enriching experience and to learn about baseball's international heritage!

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).