Fall 2021 Newsletter
Welcome to my Fall 2021 Newsletter!
I’m truly humbled by the incredible sold-out success of my newest project in partnership with East Coast Sports Marketing, , ‘There Is Only One, the Most Iconic Trading Cards of All Time.”
Card collecting and memorabilia grew significantly in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic., and trading cards are now considered by many to be miniature masterpieces in their own right. I’ve been honored by an incredible opportunity to highlight the sports-art side of collecting on a fine art level with my new collection of large 22×33-inch paintings, “There is Only One: The Most Iconic Trading Cards of All Time.” Series one of the collection, original watercolor replicas of iconic trading cards, debuted at the Philly Show September 24, 2021, and all the paintings were sold out within days of their reveal. Series two is under production and also sold out, and series three is currently under development.
Baseball in Black and White: Extra Innings —The Art of James Fiorentino
I always say that I’ve been blessed with an incredible career, but with the sold-out success of “There Is Only One,” the demand for my work has grown, and with my focus on fulfilling current orders for larger pieces, I’ll only be accepting commissions for select special projects going forward, which makes the upcoming show, “Baseball in Black and White: Extra Innings —The Art of James Fiorentino,”an incredibly rare opportunity to acquire some of my existing smaller pieces including the unique originals I painted exclusively for this show.
The exhibit debuts at Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery in Bernardsville, NJ on November 17, 2021, with an artist reception Friday November 19, 2021. In addition to the original pieces included in the black and white exhibit, the gallery has a room dedicated to a collection of my art, including award-winning landscapes and wildlife paintings, many of which have hung in museums around the country.
Artist Reception and Live Podcast
The Friday, November 19 reception is one that baseball fans won’t want to miss. It will feature special guest Jay Goldberg of Bergino Baseball Clubhouse in NYC, where the “Baseball in Black and White” show first debut 5 years ago. Goldberg will host a live podcast during the reception, and in addition to interviewing Fiorentino about his career and shows over years at the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse, and the former players and VIP guests in attendance, Goldberg will discuss his special upcoming multi-media project., “The Memory of America: Remember Your First Baseball Game”
About Jay Goldberg
In his 20s, Jay Goldberg worked on political campaigns with the country’s preeminent strategists. In his 30s, Goldberg was a sports agent to athletes, sportscasters, and even Spuds MacKenzie. The forward thinking Goldberg brought Russian hockey players to West Point and Mississippi, and in his 40s, he co-founded a creative design studio specializing in exquisite, handmade baseballs which were coveted by business titans and bar mitzvah boys. In his 50s Goldberg launched a unique gallery/shop/community event space on a side street in Greenwich Village that became known around the globe. Now, in his 60s, Goldberg is working on “The Memory of America” and other multimedia art projects. Goldberg lives in New York City, where he was born.
Jay’s Project, “The Memory of America” in his own words…
We see ourselves in the memories of diverse strangers through a uniquely American experience connecting generations.
In a nation polarized and frayed, this multimedia project inspires empathy, connection and understanding.
“The Memory of America: Remember Your First Baseball Game” is about many things. Baseball is merely the turnstile.
This project is about age, race, economic class, religion, politics, gender, love, education, assimilation, immigrants, community, disability, humanity, equality, family, the past, the present, the individual, the collective.
As always, the show will include giclees available and some unique signed pieces as well. In fact, there are some original paintings you’ll see featured in this newsletter. I look forward to seeing you there!
The Traveling Exhibition, ‘There Is Only One, the Most Iconic Trading Cards of All Time’ Debuted at the September Philly Show, Friday September 24, 2021
A gallery of the most iconic and valuable trading card Artwork ever painted was unveiled September 24, 2021 at the Philadelphia Sports Card and Memorabilia Show, the nation’s longest running sports memorabilia show which is held three times a year at the Valley Forge Casino in King of Prussia, PA.
This project, ‘There Is Only One, the Most Iconic Trading Cards of All Time’ was conceptualized during the recent surge in the sports trading card market, and the title says it all, evoking feelings of anticipation and pride that make me so excited to be part of this project.
The air of suspense as fans waited to see the originals in person is what made the project both special and exciting to work on, and being able to view the re-creation of iconic sports masterpieces in person at 22 x 30, and in watercolor, is what make the traveling exhibition and sale so unique!
I love the contrasting mix of vintage and modern cards in this project, and different challenges they present in the overall collection. Some of the “Mona Lisa’s “ of the card-world will be included in the new collection, and it’s noteworthy that I will never paint any sports card this size again in my career, ensuring that collectors will have the opportunity to own a very rare, original piece of art.
Having the opportunity to work with Joe Drelich and East Coast Sports Marketing has been an honor, and we are proud to be able to highlight the sports-art side of collecting on a fine art level.
Visit the Gallery Website: https://thereisonlyonetradingcards.com/
It was an honor to be featured in the September issue of Princeton Magazine
“Art and Athletics: James Fiorentino’s Passion for Both Leads to an Amazing Career”
By Justin Feil | Photography by Charles R. Plohn
Latino Sports Awards
Hispanic Heritage Month ran from September 15- October 15 and it was my honor to look on (albeit from afar) as these three athletes received the portraits I painted for the Latino Sports MVP awards. It’s been my pleasure to be part of honoring these outstanding athletes over the years…Congratulations to all!
More to Come…
As if this year hasn’t been incredible enough, there are some amazing projects happening in the next few weeks that I’m excited to share with you, but that will be another newsletter. As always, thank you for your support; for coming out to events, following me on social media, and for subscribing to my newsletter.