Sports and entertainment prints by award-winning NJ artist Mike Kupka (including “Yankee Captains,” pictured here) are on display and on sale beginning August 28, during an exhibit that deals its first pitch with a reception at The Galleria.
Press release from Frame to Please
In the classic movie Pride of the Yankees, Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig promises to hit two home runs in a single World Series game, as a pledge to a seriously ill young boy named Billy. Beginning this month, Gehrig, his fellow Yankee Captains, and a host of sports and entertainment legends all have a part to play — as a Red Bank gallery and an award-winning New Jersey artist team to hit one over the fence, on behalf of cancer-afflicted children and their families.
As the latest in a series of Art from the Heart exhibits inside The Galleria building, Frame to Please co-owner Megan Prenderville presents Capturing the Game, a showcase of paintings and prints by fine artist Mike Kupka. A resident of Rahway whose work is inspired by music, movies and his love of sports, Kupka’s pieces appear worldwide in galleries, and are in the private collections of numerous celebrities and athletes.
Beginning with a meet-the-artist on Friday, August 28 from 6 to 9 pm, the exhibit continues at The Galleria building through September 30, with proceeds from all art sales benefiting the nonprofit Ashley Lauren Foundation.
A first-place winner of Beckett’s 10th annual Sports Gallery Contest, Kupka was also named one of U.S. Art Magazine’s “25 Artists You Should Know.” The artist’s portrait of Ozzy Osbourne caught the eye of a Disney Company representative, which led to an eight-year stint as a licensed artist for the Disney Company. He is currently licensed by Major League Baseball, as well as the estates of New York baseball greats Thurman Munson, Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson. Mike has also produced artwork for Lucas Films, King Features, Topps, NFL, NBA and NHL.
The exhibit continues the gallery’s commitment to supporting local charities with the desire to provide artists with the opportunity for a solo show. Each exhibit runs for a month, with the gallery taking no commission and requesting only that the artists donate a portion of their sales to their favorite charity.
“I’ve watched a lot of people close to me go through cancer,” Kupka explained when asked how he selected The Ashley Lauren Foundation as his designated charity. Founded in 2005, the foundation provides direct financial, material and emotional assistance to New Jersey families dealing with a pediatric cancer diagnosis, along with many programs developed to bring smiles to the children.
For additional information on the August 28 event and exhibit, visit the Frame to Please website or call (732)741-8062.
