Painter Kenton James Featured at Flagship Gallery

CHARLESTON, SC- September 16, 2010-Join featured artist Kenton James of SCOOP studios, the Art Pimp Consultants, and the Charleston Digital Corridor on Thursday, September 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the opening of Kenton James' show at the Flagship Gallery, 475-A East Bay Street. Refreshments will be provided by Social Restaurant and Wine Bar. All are welcome.

The Charleston Digital Corridor is a revolutionary organization whose mission is to "attract, nurture and promote Charleston's knowledge economy by facilitating a business, physical, and social environment where technology companies can thrive." Their location on East Bay Street, called "The Flagship," holds lectures for professionals, provides meeting spaces for private and open forums, and accentuates numerous resources for entrepreneurs, technology-driven business owners, and small business owners alike.

Executive Director Ernest Andrade realizes the importance of art in an office environment and wanted to fill their walls with inspirational things for their entrepreneur clients to enjoy as they attend lectures or host their own clients in the Corridor's convenient meeting spaces. Andrade and the Art Pimp Consultants partnered to create the Flagship Gallery¾a gallery promoting local artists in a non-traditional, modern space. "The artists are given an opportunity to showcase their work to high-end entrepreneurs in an upscale, corporate environment, and business owners are graced with art on their walls. Many of these entrepreneurs are too busy to attend art events, so this is also a great opportunity for them to purchase works, and for the artists to sell their works to a new target demographic. It's a win-win situation for everyone," says Olivia Pool of Art Pimp.

From a demure woman in a hotel bed, to a tense game of blackjack among the stench of stale beer and cigarettes on a stained pool table, Kenton James' paintings are emotional scenes conveying calm and anxiety, stillness and fear. His work is best described as a type of 'visual noir,' a screenshot, a detail, of a much more elaborate scene, which engages the viewer to imagine and rewrite the surrounding narrative in their own way. In 2010, Kenton has been featured in group shows with Robert Lange Studios and Eye Level Art, and solo shows at SCOOP Studios. Kenton lives and works in downtown Charleston with his wife Sarah, their dogs Noah and Finn and several rescued cats.

This event on Thursday, September 23 will be an opening reception for James' art at the Flagship Gallery, located at the intersection of East Bay and Calhoun Streets. Delicious hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served by Social Restaurant and Wine Bar. This event is free and open to the public. All work on display at Flagship Gallery is available for sale during the exhibition, which will hang through October 2010. James' works can be seen and purchased on a regular basis at SCOOP studios, 57 ½ Broad Street, 843.577.3292, www.scoopcontemporary.com. More information about the Charleston Digital Corridor and the Flagship Gallery can be found by visiting www.charlestonbd.com or calling 843.724.3773. Information about Art Pimp Consultants can be found by calling 843.568.7738 or visiting www.theartpimp.com.