Earth Day Event with HOME magazine. Artists: Wendy Fernando-Regalado, Ann Wizer, Robin Haines Merrill, Mark C. Merrill, Benji Reyes, Jim Orencio

April 16, 2009

Upper Room Art Gallery hosted an Earth Day event with HOME magazine

in one of the unsold developers units at Bamboo Flats, a 4 story

European style work/live space in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Bamboo Flats Art Project

The Upper Room Art Gallery has a new annex in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It's the "Bamboo Flats Art Project", at 718 NE Third Avenue. Project Director is Timothy Hamilton. Please check out the blogsite to get complete information and more photos. Stop by and see the work! http://www.bambooflatsartproject.blogspot.com/

Upper Room Art Gallery

wins 2008

"Best Art Gallery in

Downtown Fort Lauderdale"

from Riverwalk Trust/

Go Riverwalk Magazine !

"Light of the World Lamps" by Wendy Regalado

"Cocoon Lamp" 8 available $ 650
Incredible Room Dividers made from bamboo and handmade paper

with steel frame. 6 ft. x 6 ft. $5,000

"Lobster Lamps" 5 available

Handmade paper and bamboo

The organic paper used in these creations is an economic development project for the poor, in the Philippines. It is a church-based job creation program called "Village Handcrafters".

The Chairs are here!

We have 4 chairs from Benji Reyes, now here at the Upper Room Art Gallery in Fort Lauderdale Florida. 2 of the "Eena" chairs as seen above. This chair is made from recycled hardwoods, many of which are endangered or protected. Benji sources his wood from salvage crews demolishing ancestral homes and other buildings, in the Philippines. His furniture features a multitude of gorgeous woods...these Eena chairs have the following special woods: Kamagong, Narra, Yakal, Ipil, and Dungon. The Eena chairs are $2,200 each. We also have a Benru chair @ $3,000, and a special one-of-a-kind "Badjao" bench (Surfboard) for $4,000- made from Dao, Yakal and Kamagong. This furniture is not only gorgeous and meaningful, but surprisingly comfortable for hardwood. The back piece has a "give" to it, a little spring action.

See for yourself!

At Mark Merrill's show "Divine Design", Rockwell Makati, July 2007

Old timers

rekindled acquaintances

time

art

friends

compadres

See Malang (sir), Mark did a drawing of you, during one of the Saturday Group sessions

(fill in a comment as to what you think Malang is responding)

Malang is a former cartoonist, so he won't mind if we put a comment balloon on this and fill in the imaginary space as to what he might be saying.....

Here's a gathering of some of the Bricktown Bible Study Group, from way back in the mid-80's.

Cesar Legaspi, Tita Betty and Nestor DeVilla were also a part, but now gone on

to be with the Lord.

Jing Malic was also a member.

Romulo Olazo, Mauro Malang Santos, Popoy Vilchez, Robin Haines/Merrill.

Rockwell Show, July 2007 Makati, Metro Manila

Mark couldn't be present at his own show in Manila, so he appeared on the plasma screen

from a recent segment made by Palm Beach PBS affiliate WXEL, South Florida Today show.

Mark's tapestries were a big hit.
Jun Aves, filmmaker, with Robin Merrill
Our new show tradition: Crocodile tinapay (bread) from Antipolo, our mountain town.

Cut up and used in dips during the opening, obtained by friend Wendy Regalado.

"Fragrant Presence", a show of paintings by Mark C. Merrill at Onessimo Fine Art, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, March 2007

A major exhibition of 40 oil paintings by Mark C. Merrill

Thank you to Trish Halverson for the photos of the exhibit

Coming Soon

Ann Wizer's "Empty Legacy"

Chandeliers made from discarded cigarette lighters, harvested from the beach. Ann said that during a diving trip in the Philippines, she has picked up more than 300 lighters from the beach and reefs herself.

This piece is currently in Jakarta, Indonesia.

We hope to have it in the U.S.A. for display at

Upper Room Art Gallery's new site in Florida.

The Garbage Furniture

The work of Ann Wizer. This lounge was made from cut up non-biodegradable plastic garbage.

Ann has a non profit project in Jakarta, Indonesia, and employs the dump scavengers to collect and clean plastics from the dump, which she then uses to fashion into furniture art. Her jobs provide much better pay, and healthier jobs than their life as scavengers on the dumps.

Ann lives in Manila, and attended the same art school as Robin Merrill (although we didnt know each other at college, we met in Manila) - California College of Arts & Crafts.

Upper Room Art Gallery has one of these chairs here in Florida.

It is our hope and goal to begin a limited edition line of furniture made by Ann Wizer and sold here in the Upper Room Art Gallery in Fort Lauderdale. This will be an economic development project among the poor that we work with in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Mark C. Merrill @ Butterfly World, Coconut Creek, Florida, April 13-June 13 2007

Every Saturday is "Meet the Artist", from 1:00-4:00, with lectures and demonstrations.

More than 40 paintings, prints and tapestries, on display in the new Grand Plaza. The first-ever art exhibit in this museum style space. Mark, Ron Boender-founder of Butterfly World, and Robin Haines Merrill
Show extended until June 13

"Abstract Realities" Feb. 3- April 30, 2007 Paintings by Robin Haines Merrill @ Upper Room Art Gallery, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Annual Third Avenue Art Walk, Feb.2007

We decided to have a campfire, in between the Cottage and the art gallery.

Love those funky chairs from A.A.

Pastor Gerald, almost incognito, dressed in black
He's not preaching fire & brimstone,
but he sure is on fire!

Hey- look at our new sign

Mission Gifts shop, at the Cottage, downtown Fort Lauderdale

One of our great volunteers, Pastora Elsie Evans

"takin care of business"

The Cottage

Wouldn't you like to sit & dwell with us?

Talk about Art and be refreshed.

The Re-Hanging of the Sign

After a few storms, our poor sign needed some attention

THANK YOU FRED LESSWING!

Art Miami

Art Miami, held Jan. 5-8, 2007

Mark C. Merrill paintings, represented by Onessimo Fine Art

(the light blue painting to the far right is not his)

Tatalon

Photograph by Robin Haines Merrill

from the slums of Manila

near Viv Grigg's dwelling place

Union Church of Manila

The Union Church of Manila, in downtown Makati.

An oil painting by Mark C. Merrill.

(This building no longer exists.)

p150,000

available from Upper Room Art Gallery, Manila

At the "Premier of Tapestries" in Manila

The lovely ladies-Amor, Robin & SusanEileen Legaspi-Ramirez and Madonna Ma
The Kanlungan Staff, standing in front of a display of the cards

"Kanlungan Center for Street Children" from downtown Manila

is a partner of the Christian Cultural Development Foundation.

The street children make handmade paper from recycled newspapers on the street.

Mark & Robin Merrill use the paper in a line of greeting cards, with their artwork on the front.

These cards are then sold at the art shows, in the gallery.

They are also sold at the Mission Gifts shop, and soon, an online store!

Opening Night, Gallery 828, Sept. 2006

Jun Aves, doing the documentary work
Susan Hassig, of Vieux Chalet, gave us very generous hor douvres!! Thank you!!
Manang, of Vieux Chalet! we miss you, neighbour
Amor Quinones, Robin Merrill, Biboy Delatavo

Amor blessed us with her brownies

Opening Treats

wendy supplied these crocodiles made from tinapay (bread) she found at a bakery in antipolo
"oh, i have to chop off a crocodile head....i don't know how i feel about this...."
"what? i'm eating a crocodile? mmmm, it's good"

folks at the show 9/06

Sid Siddharth, Ophie Dee (owner of Gallery 828) & Romulo Olazo
Olazo, Cielo & Popoy Vilchez (who arranged for the gallery space)
Regalaldo Clan & fans

Views of the Show at Gallery 828, Sept. 2006

Art Show in Manila

wendy regalado and robin merrill, preparing the show at Gallery 828 in ShangriLa Mall, Manila
one of wendy's marvelous lamps, of handmade paper from the poor (village handcrafters)

tapestry-mark c. merrill
Tapestries & framed print by Mark Merrill, lamp by Wendy Regalado

Glory

Oil on canvas

3' x 4'

Robin Haines Merrill

$3,200

Manila Traffic

... Never changes.

"Manila Traffic 2"

Oil on wood panel, 4' x 4'

Robin Haines Merrill

$3,000

Art Meals

Some kind of incredible beef, asparagus & fragrant rice @ Ayala Museum cafe

Artist Robert Alejandro & I found out we have the same strange habit: photographing certain meals before we eat them. So here are a few postings....here is robert with some kind of salad at a pinoy restaurant in the powerplant mall.

Pesto pasta with kasoy (cashews) and goat cheese, @ Ayala Museum cafe.

The Olazo's

Long time no see!

Romulo Olazo looking at Mark Merrill's new book of paintings.

"Wow, ang galing si Mark"

Pat Olazo in their office/studio. Don't you love their tiered wooden drawers, all those little compartments? and what a great art library.

Real Bohemians

There's a resurgence of nationalistic pride amongst Filipino artists, as seen in the music getting more fusion and tribal. It's great to see. But I had to laugh--when as I was leaving this art reception at the end of the evening, after much alcohol had been consumed by the attendees and artists, the music reverted to Western: Led Zepplin classics, the Beatles, and Santana. When I pointed this out to someone, I was told "well, at least that's not fully American; they are British bands". ha ha. Sorry, it will always be a Global Village. And rock & roll invade totally.

Party at Reyes'

So great to get together with artist-friends at

Benji & Careng Reye's house

THANK YOU!

Green Jokes

Benji Reyes may be an environmental artist in the Philippines, but that's not what 'green jokes' means. Here he is at his incredible home of wood & art, making Robin and Wendy laugh too hard.

Yellow Door Art Gallery

So nice to become acquainted with Minda Rocha of Yellow Door Gallery

while on this trip to Manila in the summer of 2006.

The Upper Room Art Gallery will be doing business with them,

keep an eye out!

Sylvana Diaz

Talkin' bout ART HISTORY & Life!

Great to run into Sylvana again while in Manila

Gus Albor

One of my favorite artists.

One Smart Man

Philippine National Artist for Sculpture, Napoleon Abueva

with Robin Merrill at the studio of Romulo Olazo.

Abueva happened to walk in while I was visiting Ola, and handed me a rose.

I found out that he does this constantly--carrying around roses and handing them out to ladies. This is ONE SMART MAN! He immediately got a kiss and hug from me.

A great secret to getting affection every day, all day.

wendy inspecting the paper

The Papermaker

Maestro Joel Navarro was in town the same time I was (he resides in the US like we do). Funny how many of us are grey and white now! It was a priviledge to be at Union Church of Manila while the US Government sponsored the Mozart Requiem for the Sept. 11 memorial, very dynamic.

running into old friends

at the marvelous new Ayala Museum cafe-- Romeo (whose work was in the current show at Ayala re: the Pasig River) and Dante Silverio, racing legend. Dante decided to do a drawing of my kids while we chatted over merienda.

Bamboo love

Room divider, made from the handmade paper economic development project (Mission Gifts) and bamboo from designer Wendy Regalado's bamboo grove, pictured below. These screens, in a variety of colors, are being sent via container from the Philippines to the Upper Room Art Gallery in Fort Lauderdale. be on the lookout....

what can be said

Aids Art Therapy Cards

Here's our THANK YOU card....persons with HIV/AIDS in Manila hand colour these blank greeting cards, and get paid per piece. The project gives them much needed funds, and the act of colouring is very therapeutic. At the hospital, they are given free room & board and free medical attention, but they must pay for their personal needs and most people prefer outside food as opposed to bland hospital food. Some are also needing adult diapers and other personal necessities for which they need income. This project has been a blessing for the past 6 years. Thank you for your support of the Christian Cultural Development Foundation via tax-deductible donations, which allows us to sustain this endeavor. The CCDF staff person overseeing this project, Cathy, is also HIV+ and highly respected in this community. The cards can be purchased in packs of 10 (Tropical Fish motif) for $20, or 5 (Thank you cards) for $10, at the Mission Gifts shop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Soon we will have a Christmas card and Birthday card design. YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT ARE APPRECIATED!!

An Art Collector

Lolly Tiu is an artist and good friend of ours, and also a collector of Mark Merrill's paintings. At Mark's September show in Metro Manila, Lolly bought this small oil painting on paper, a portrait of Philippine National Artist Maestro Lucio San Pedro. This will go perfectly with her previous buys of oil portraits of National Artist Cesar Legaspi and both the "Blue Onib" and "Green Onib", all done by Mark in oil. Below: Chuchi, Robin and Lolly at her son Joshua's Chinese-fusion restaurant at The Fort, showing off a Mark Merrill print. YUM

artist Fred Liongoren

Fred wearing a tribal headdress at Robin's "welcome back" party at Benjie & Careng Reyes house in Antipolo.

a great Onib

Onib Olmedo painted TShirt, framed, found at the Regalado house in Antipolo

Artists, hanging out in Manila

Reuben Canete, Robin Haines Merrill & Eghai Roxas, eating Chinese food after an art opening
Hanging out till 3am after Wilson's funeral, in the ShangriLa hotel, talking about the Philippine Art Scene.

Art & the Poor

Mark Merrill's painting of the street kids in Manila at Kanlungan Center, making paper from recycled newspapers.


"Garden Variety Packs", sold by Mission Gifts, feature the artwork of Mark & Robin Merrill on cards using the handmade paper of streetchildren from Manila. The kids make the paper from recycled newspaper. This is an economic development project of our foundation, the Christian Cultural Development Foundation, and this card project has been ongoing for 15 years now! Packs of 4 blank cards cost p250 in the Philippines, and $8 in the USA.

Manny Garibay

Pay per prayer
Emmanuel Garibay is one of my favorite (Filipino) artists of both religion and reality. I hope that we can represent him through the Upper Room Art Gallery in the future.

at Remy Bouquiren's show

in SM Megamall Artwalk, Mandaluyong Metro Manila Philippines---
"Arlene, Remy & Robin" together again (we have had artshows together in the past)

The Grid that spans the seas, and time

Mark C. Merrill and the bamboo grid that hangs on his studio wall, which he has always wanted to make and finally did this year. It is based on an illustration he saw in National Geographic magazine. It was used by the earliest mariners to chart the stars and find their destinations while traveling. Because Mark is fascinated with the "Golden Rectangle", he could see the same relationships in this pattern.
While I was in Manila this summer, I chanced upon meeting Portugese-born, New York-based artist Luis da Cruz, who was having a show at the Ayala Museum. He gave me a personal tour of his work, and when I came upon this wall piece I knew what it was immediately!! Isn't it amazing how artists who don't even know each other and are on opposite sides of the ocean, can pick up upon the same ideas?

A close up on Luis da Cruz's work. It is entitled (currents). Just like the patterns of the ocean, the flow of the sea.

Handmade Paper products

Working in Antipolo, the mountains outside of Manila. The handmade paper is an economic development project for the poor in squatter resettlement areas. The lamps are created by CCDF designer Wendy Regalado and her staff in Antipolo.

Lots of gorgeous ROOM DIVIDERS are coming our way! A 20 foot container of products is in the finishing stages, and will be sent to CCDF in Fort Lauderdale Florida. This is "Buddha Belly" bamboo
Wendy holding one of the many hanging lamps, made from bamboo and handmade paper

Union Church

Isn't this a PHENOMENAL ceiling? Architect Bobby Manosa & team made it possible.
One of the few pipe organs in the Philippines
Mark & Robin Merrill worked on the Design Committee to build this new Union Church of Manila, which is located in downtown Makati, the financial district. A wonderful place to worship, with people from all nations and denominational backgrounds.

Antipolo Art Group

Here's a great shot of the old Antipolo Thursday Art Group. This is only a portion of everyone. Unfortunately the group doesnt meet anymore, but I was happy to see a few of the members during my recent trip there. Lino and Inday are now in heaven. And many of us no longer have dark hair!

Make sure I look serious

"These are rough political times. Make sure I look serious"--good friend and Antipolo neighbour "Biboy" Antipas Delatavo, a social realist painter whose work continues to improve.
One of Biboy's simple paintings, at the home of Roy & Wendy Regalado

Vagrant Artist

That's what he said. Jose Tence Ruiz

Wendy says....

I'm always taking pictures of basura. But I can't help myself

Funeral for a Friend

Madonna Ma, next to photo of her beloved husband and our friend, Wilson Ma, who died at age 45 of health complications. Our families were often together during excursions of the Saturday Group of Artists; we were the same age and one of the few that brought our children along. The Ma's are our brother and sister in Christ, and always brought great SIOPAO and MAMI to the events! You will be missed Wilson! We are always here for you Madonna.
Artist friends at the funeral: Robin Merrill, Egai Fernandez (former Pres. of the Asian Christian Art Assoc.), and Pablo "Adi" Baen Santos, Social-Realist painter and Christian brother.
Jerry Araos stunned us all by quoting an entire poem by TS Elliot ?? Thank you Jerry.

On the Wall, watching lives change

The art prints of Mark & Robin Merrill are on the walls in the new Samaritana center in Fairview, Quezon City, Metro Manila. Samaritana has opened a retreat center that is also a drop in center for women leaving prostitution. They have started a catering livelihood business that will supply the meals for those renting the center for retreats or meetings. Mission Gifts sells the beautiful handmade paper cards from Samaritana. Visit our gift shop in Fort Lauderdale (soon available for sale online). BLESS the work of this organization and of the faithful leading the desiring to Christ.

Mayor Bong Gordon (that's Bong, James Bong)

Two Mark Merrill art prints were given as a gift to Mayor Bong Gordon of Olongapo and his wife, as a thank you after meeting with Robin and Virgie of YWAM. Robin & Virgie explained the ministries of CCDF and YWAM/Tamar in helping the women of Olongapo leave lives of prostitution. The mayor explained his new programs and offered us a nice job package for women who are interested: WELDING. Hanjin of China has moved in to the former US Naval base and will be building ships and containers. Women welders are known to be better than men because of attention to detail. And so, we will have another job possibility for women who want to leave lives of prostitution. Your continued prayers and support are appreciated to see all these details to completion, in the lives of those who need our assistance.

Life

One of Robin Haines Merrill's typical photographs, taken at Calvary Chapel Olongapo, Philippines.

Guavas in a Tree

This incredible painting has been left in the Philippines! YES the Upper Room Art Gallery is now in Manila! Artwork is available through our Manila rep, Popoy Vilchez. artpreview@pldtdsl.net, or cell: 0918-900-8966. Beautifully framed, 135,000 pesos. We are a virtual gallery, he will bring the painting to you. Call for appointment. "This painting is very reminiscent of Amorsolo- the colors, ambience and overall mood". Upper Room Art Gallery is a non-profit gallery with ALL proceeds benefitting the outreach of CCDF and Mission Gifts economic development projects among the poor. BUY ART, FEEL GOOD!

This could be you

a Santo in Manila

Together Again!

Longtime friends and comrades in art/Christian activism, Robin Merrill meeting up with Fred & Norma Liongoren at their gallery, and Arlene Villaver. Can you feel the world has changed after viewing this photograph? because we were changing the world during this meeting.

Arlene Villaver

Here in the Philippines, getting together again with good friend and great artist & Christian woman, Arlene Villaver, at Liongoren gallery opening in July.

Action is required

(William leaving on his bike)

Staking Ceremony

OPEN HOUSE July 8, 2006

These people stayed till Midnight

Welcome back William, singing a happy tune

New Tapestries!

These are two new tapestries made by Fine Art Tapestries, from Mark Merrill's "Alpha" & "Beta" paintings. Wonderful detail and texture, and fantastically priced. Shown with John Robin Merrill and a "Light of the World" lamp from Mission Gifts (you want one). Update: price is $180 each, $350 for a pair! Also available through Upper Room Art Gallery Manila: 9,000 pesos each, 18,000 per pair. Contact Popoy Vilchez 0918-900-8966. In the US, contact Upper Room Art Gallery-Fort Lauderdale, 954-828-1505.

Save the Forests

Benji Reyes' furniture is made from 100% RECYCLED HARDWOODS! Deforestation is a HUGE problem is SouthEast Asia. Many of the woods that Benjie uses are banned from harvesting, but he obtains them from ancestral homes that are being demolished in certain regions, especially the from the Spanish archtectural areas in Illocos Norte. Hopefully you will see these wonderful artpieces soon at the Upper Room Art Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

Benji Reyes

Benji Reyes is a furniture artist in the Philippines, represented by the same gallery that Mark & Robin Merrill show at in Manila, Gallery 139. Benji also lives up in the mountains where we lived, in Antipolo. Currently CCDF/Upper Room Art Gallery is loading a 20 ft container of handmade paper lamps, but we have a bit of room left over, and we would absolutely love to bring back some of Benji's furniture. What do you think?? Let us know! We would need a couple thousand $$ to purchase it and load it in the container. Upper Room Art Gallery would love to represent Benji in the United States....please pray this into possibility! It would just take the sale of a couple paintings in the gallery, to give us enough money to get Benji's furniture into this shipment. Benji has a family foundation that gives scholarships to children in poverty in the rural area where he lives, and children can attend school--children which would otherwise be without an education. Also, they have an apprenticeship program that gives poor children a chance to learn the woodworking craft--they sand and treat the wood that is used in this furniture, and earn a wage.

Antipolo Skies

Painting by Robin Haines Merrill, oil on board, 27" x 45", $3,200
Antipolo is the name of the town Mark & Robin lived in, in the Philippines. From the mountaintop overlooking the expanse of metro Manila, a beautiful theatre of color in the sky was a nightly gift to those of us inhabiting the hills. This painting was a part of the "Heaven & Hell" show that Robin had in Manila in 1999, and recently was shown in the sanctuary at First Lutheran, Ft. Lauderdale, Feb. 2006 show.

Gift Bags

Check out our new Gift Bags at Mission Gifts--Handmade paper and Bamboo. Three sizes available and lots of color varieties, priced from $6.50-8.50. Sturdy and re-usable. Made by Village Handcrafters, a ministry in the Philippines working in squatter relocation areas. A church-based work program, providing a salary for the pastor and jobs for the church community. Notice the bouganvilla leaves? This product is environmentally friendly and a healthy, creative job for the poor. Visit our shop downtown Ft. Lauderdale to pick up a supply to keep on hand for all your gift-giving needs. (The square in the center of the bag is a gift card holder--each bag comes with a matching gift card to write a greeting upon)

In the Garden of Gethsemane

Marc Greenblum's larger than life graphite drawing on paper....from the February show in the sanctuary of First Lutheran. Framed, $20,000. From the curators statement: "Marc Greenblum is a Jewish Christian, and has rightly portrayed Jesus-Yeshua-as a Jew. His accurate and obsessive pencil lines have dramatically rendered a difficult subject for an artist: portraying a likeness of God. Marc's choice of chiaroscuro drama aptly reveals the moment of destiny when Yeshua faced his humanity in all its pain, and made a decision to move forward."

Golden Orchids

Painting by Mark C. Merrill, oil on wood panel, framed. $2,000

Boy with Soccer ball on head

"That's what I think of the World Cup right now" -John Robin Merrill.
Seriously though, remember this: "With official support from the German government, up to 40,000 young women will be "imported" from Central and Eastern Europe into Germany to "sexually service" the men. These women come from desperately poor circumstances. According to reports,
most will not speak German. Most are being "sex trafficked" against their wills. They are told that they are going to be models, waitresses, or some other harmless occupation. Many will be brutally assaulted by intoxicated fans.
Whatever their circumstances, each and every one of these young women is someone's daughter, a child of God and deserves our protection! They DO NOT DESERVE to be exploited and sentenced to a life of misery to satisfy the sexual appetites of soccer fans. This is a massive assault on women and should be opposed by every Christian
and every person who believes in human dignity! What makes this crime particularly appalling is the open support it is receiving from the German government. Prostitution is legal in Germany. But their legal red light districts will be too small for the thousands of sport/sex tourists attending the World Cup games. The German sex industry has erected a massive prostitution complex for the "booming business" expected during the games. The Germans have already built a mega brothel in Berlin, right next to the main World Cup venue to accommodate 650 male clients. Wooden "sex huts" called "performance boxes" that look like toilets have been built in fenced-in areas the size of a football field, with condoms, showers and parking for the buyers and a special focus on protecting their "anonymity." It is estimated that as many as 30% of the soccer fans will visit
prostitutes at least once. Sexual activity on such a massive scale is highly likely to spread STD's." sent by Lisa Thompson, Salvation Army, Liason for the Abolition of Sexual Trafficking.

Light of the World Lamps

Our handmade paper lamps, using wonderful bamboo and paper made by the poor, in the Philippines. Created by CCDF designer Wendy Regalado of Antipolo, Rizal. The paper making is a project of Village Handcrafters, and is a church-based economic development project for those living in squatter relocation areas. We see this as a prevention project re: prostitution and human trafficking. People without jobs are easily preyed upon for slave labor, or end up leaving their families in the village and journey to the city in hopes of finding employment, but usually find the worst that the city has to offer. These beautiful lamps are art sculptures, each one is unique and hand made. In Florida we only have a few remaining, but a new 20 ft container has been in process for the past year, and we hope to receive it in the U.S. by the end of 2006. The top photo shows the room divider, which we will have in many colors. It utilizes the beautiful "buddha bamboo", in which Wendy sees the likeness of a fish. Once they get here, they are expensive, but worth it! You can bet you won't see this at anyone else's home.

WORSHIP IN VAIN

Alan Greenspan altar series, by Robin Haines Merrill. Oil painting on board, with mixed media.
Part of the sanctuary show, displayed in the narthex (entrance to the church sanctuary). This was up during the very week that Alan retired from the Fed. Next to this piece was Marc Greenblum's drawing of Yeshua/Christ, and my slogan was "Choose you this day, whom shall you serve?" A good question to ask yourself upon entering a church...will it be Yeshua or Mammon that you serve with your life?

Michelle Woolley mirrors

Sanctuary show, February 2006. Michelle Woolley hand paints, layer upon layer, wooden mirror frames, encrusted with Swarovski crystals (which looked stunning against the stained glass). "Versailles" $6,900. "Fruit of the Spirit" $4,800. From the curator: "A true house of worship should not only encourage outward adoration of the Creator, but also inward reflection. Michelle Woolley's mirrors are placed facing the pews, purposely promoting more than a glance, but a stare. Imagine spending an entire hour, listening to hymns and sermons, and being forced to really look at yourself, whether you like it or not. I think mirrors should be installed in all pews!"

THE GALLERY

Views of the Upper Room Art Gallery, show during the first quarter of 2006.
Paintings by Mark C. Merrill. You should have been there.
Look at the nice paint job that intern Gino did on the walls, fabulous.

Chalices, February 2006 show

Ceramic chalices by Robin Haines Merrill, on display at the First Lutheran Church downtown Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. 3 person show during the month of February 2006 in the sanctuary, together with Michelle Woolley and Marc Greenblum. (photography by www.coreymcfarlane.com)

May Flowers show, Opening

Opening: "May Flowers" show, paintings by Mark C. Merrill @ the Upper Room Art Gallery, May 13, 2006

The Hanging of the Sign

Mark Merrill and Gino Salvatelli putting up the sign, February 2006. We are located in the historic First Lutheran church building, downtown Ft. Lauderdale.

WE ARE HERE

Come visit us at 417 NE Third Avenue, downtown Ft. Lauderdale, between Broward Blvd and Sunrise. Better call first: 954-828-1505. This is one of the few remaining original cottages in Fort Lauderdale, built in the 1920's and on the earliest known map of Ft. Lauderdale. Everyone around us is getting bulldozed and turned into $$$$ condos! Come and dwell....