First Professional Art Exhibit for Local Marvel

ELISE DRAKE: FRESH VISION

Young Artist Invited by Established Gallery

to Debut as a Professional Artist at Her First Exhibition

            LaMantia Gallery of Northport, NY has invited Elise Drake, sculpture, painter and performance artist, to showcase her unique fresh vision. Drake, of Huntington, NY, is gathering her finest art for her first professional art exhibition.

            Tuesday, July 30, at 6pm, Drake, 19, who describes her work as forward, fun and grotesque with a zest of humor, will spice up the walls of the well known gallery while supporters sip wine and admire the work. Ten percent of sales will be going to charity.

            "I am stoked to be given the opportunity to share my visuals with people and let them peek into my head. All of my works definitely are reflections of my feelings, my experiences and my story. From subject matter to application, it is all intentional," said Drake.

            James LaMantia, owner of LaMantia Gallery, has been a part of the art world for 30 years. For 25 years he has been a gallery owner, but prior to that point he was known for being an artist as well.

            "I remember the first New York State Juried Show that my work was accepted into at age 21. The exhilaration that came from the event has never left me. Having an opportunity to be hosting a show for a young artist with such talent has allowed my career to come full circle. I will only show artists that already have a national following, but Elise Drake paints in a manner that is far more mature than her age would have the viewer believe. I suspect that she will have a long and prosperous career as an artist and LaMantia Gallery is honored to be able to host this important exhibit," said LaMantia.

            With a wide array of artwork, much of Elise's work portrays the human body. Using distorted body parts and lots of hair, her erotic art is the reason why she describes her work as "grotesque with a zest of humor."

            "The naked body is beautiful, hair and all! The grotesque characters are beautiful and just right. They are the underdog to our societies' perceptions. They are combating judgment," Elise said.

            Currently Drake is receiving training at the Maryland Institute College of Art where she is working on her BFA in interdisciplinary sculpture with a concentration in curatorial studies. Her innate creativity has also led her to instruction at the Huntington School of Fine Arts, USDAN, The Art League of Long Island, and The Fashion Institute of Technology. Aside from schooling, she has completed independent art studies in Italy, England, France and Ecuador. Her next endeavor will consist of studying at the University College of London at the Slade School of Fine Arts.

            Drake is the prodigy of two creative parents. Her mother, Donna Drake, creator and host of television show "Live it Up!" and the Director of Client Services at JVC Broadcasting said, “Elise created her first self-portrait at the age of two. Her exhibit entitled, “Fresh Vision” is so well named, for she has always been a person with fresh vision. In fact, she would always re-cut and paint on her new school clothes before she would wear them in order to look different. It’s a joy to see her shine.”

            According to her father, Roger Drake, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill, “Elise has loved to create art since she was a little girl. She would sit for hours on her bed drawing, creating and putting pieces together as long as I can remember. Her art today is somewhat shocking, but, as you get to know the concept of her art, you’ll see a fun twist on the grotesque.”

            “Art, to me, doesn’t have to mean seriousness or 1-upping the artist next to you. Each artist has their own views and beautiful stuff to say. Art is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. Fun, fun. Happy, happy,” said Elise Drake. 

            127 Main Street in Northport, NY, and Elise Drake will be sharing the fun, fun, happy, happy, very soon.

Devin Raye Productions

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