October 12, 2004 — The Rotunda Gallery announces its annual Benefit Gala, a cocktail preview of the upcoming exhibition Conceptual Realism, on Thursday, November 4, 2004, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The evening will include provocative live entertainment, including portraits by artist Meredith Allen. Wine for the celebration is provided by Heights Chateau Wines & Liquor, and specialty drinks by Alizé. The event is generously sponsored by Corcoran Brooklyn Development Division. Event giveaways are provided by West Elm and Cabinet Magazine. Tickets to the Benefit Gala are $150, $250, or $500, and are tax-deductible (less $25). All proceeds from the event benefit the Rotunda Gallery and its education and exhibition programs. Tickets may be purchased by calling Sharon Polli at 718-875-4047 x11.

The evening's program will include the introduction of Janine Cirincione, newly-named director of Rotunda Gallery. Cirincione brings an exceptional range of experience in the contemporary visual and multimedia arts to the Rotunda. Her experience uniquely integrates over 15 years of senior management in public programming, strategic planning, creative direction, and arts administration. She joined the Gallery staff on September 7, 2004.

Conceptual Realism features the best of today's Brooklyn artists who embrace the power of realism in the face of an increasingly technologically mediated culture. Using traditional art-making techniques, these artists explore fresh and provocative contemporary ideas. The finished work will astonish the viewer as it reveals the mystery hiding just beneath the surface of reality. Artists include: Ann Agee, Amy Cutler, Don Doe, Alessandra Exposito, Geoff Grogan, Susan Hamburger, Julie Heffernan, Valerie Hegarty, Jill Levine, Joan Linder, Deborah Simon, Su-en Wong and Alexi Worth.

Each of the exhibiting artists has donated a small work for sale during the Benefit Gala; all sale proceeds will benefit the Rotunda Gallery. Conceptual Realism will open to the public on November 18, and will be on view through December 31, 2004.

The ROTUNDA GALLERY, housed in an award-winning space designed by Smith-Miller + Hawkinson, showcases the work of Brooklyn artists. The ROTUNDA GALLERY’s educational programs reach 7,000 students each year with gallery visits and in-school art making projects. The ROTUNDA GALLERY is a project of the not-for-profit BRIC/Brooklyn Information & Culture, Inc..