Photography Portfolio Just Posted

by Chuck on March 4th, 2010

After 3 years, I have finally redesigned my photography portfolio. Most of the images have been updated and they blow up to full-screen. It contains unpublished photos and my most recent projects.

The site can be viewed at:
www.chuckcasella.com

New Product Photography

by Chuck on February 25th, 2010

Here is a gallery of my latest product photography. It focuses on products from the action sport industry.

Casella Creative’s contribution to the WHAT THE DECK? art show

by Chuck on October 16th, 2009

Less than 24 hours until the big auction.  The photos below are the two decks submitted in the What The Deck? Art Show in Salinas. The Evel Knievel Deck was inspired by my experiences growing up as a child and believing that anything  was possible. The other deck “Cookin’ up love” was made to represent all of the  things that Dorothy’s Place offers to it’s guests. The deck displays and overwhelming amount of objects.

What The Deck? Unique Auction Event to Support The National Steinbeck Center and Dorothy’s Place

by Chuck on October 12th, 2009

5:30-9pm, Saturday, October 17th at The National Steinbeck Center

Non Profit Media Release
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Colleen Finegan
Interim Executive Director
colleen@steinbeck.org
831-775-4724

Marci Bracco
Marketing Consultant
marcibracco@yahoo.com
831-747-7455

SALINAS, CA (October 7th, 2009) When Chuck Casella, a board member at Dorothy’s Place Hospitality Center in Salinas, California approached the National Steinbeck Center located at One Main Street in Salinas, California about doing an exhibition featuring skateboards, he wasn’t expecting such an enthusiastic response. What do the National Steinbeck Center and Dorothy’s Place have in common? Community and culture. Focus on subcultures marginalized by the mainstream. Together, these two institutions feed the mind, body and spirit of all members of our community.

Do you want to see and hear how lives have been transformed by the work of the National Steinbeck Center and Dorothy’s Place Hospitality Center? Be a part of the closing reception and program for the “What the Deck?” exhibition, on Saturday, October 17th beginning at 5:30 PM at the National Steinbeck Center. Hear from the artists themselves about their personal journeys and why they felt compelled to offer their hard work and creative spirit to elevate the disenfranchised and marginalized through the work of these unique cultural icons.

Dorothy’s Place, providing opportunities and hope for the poor and homeless and the National Steinbeck Center, honoring the legacy of native son and Nobel Laureate John Steinbeck, share a common vision: that all cultures should be treasured and that expressions of the human condition, especially those out of the mainstream, can be appreciated when brought into the light. More than a mere exhibit of vastly different media on skateboard decks, the October 17th event allows the visitor to participate in the celebration of the skateboard subculture and actually own the art by financially supporting the two divergent organizations with the similar vision. They will be encouraged by the program’s keynote speaker Michael Osborne, President and Creative Director of the San Francisco-based graphic design firm, MOD/Michael Osborne Design, Inc., which has created some of the most memorable packaging, corporate identity, and retail design solutions for clients that include Gymboree, Williams-Sonoma, Safeway, numerous wineries, and the U.S. Postal Service. Osborne, who designed several of the skateboards currently on exhibit at the National Steinbeck Center, has become a national leader known for his advocacy of the graphic design industry’s partnership with non-profit organizations. After many years of working pro-bono with many non-profit clients, Osborne recognized that there was a real need for sustained support for his non-profit clients. As a result, he developed a plan to create a separate non-profit design firm that would provide services for charity-based non-profit groups. And so, this new model design firm, Joey’s Corner, a non-profit 501c3 organization, was founded with an “Ideas that Matter” grant in 2006. Joey’s Corner honors the life of Michael’s deceased son, Joseph Michael Osborne. “There is nothing more gratifying than designing projects for dedicated, hard working non-profit organizations doing the most important work in the world, with the most incredible people I’ve ever met,” said Osborne.

A “Sappi Ideas That Matter” grant in 2007 was the beginning of “What the Deck?”. Local graphic designer Chuck Casella, inspired by the work of Michael Osborne, asked if he could purchase blank skateboard decks with a portion of the grant, to create a fundraiser to feed homeless people. When given the green light by Sappi, he brought the concept of a skateboard art exhibit to the National Steinbeck Center and recruited several ‘street’ artists to participate, as well as nationally and internationally renowned artists like David Ligare and Tom Davies.

The exhibit opened on September 19, 2009 with a extraordinary surprise: record numbers of excited enthusiasts flocked through the doors to be the first to see the exhibit. Museum curator Deborah Silguero commented, “We’re overwhelmed with energy! This is the most diverse group of museum visitors we’ve seen here in recent years – over 600 came through the exhibit in three hours. We just didn’t expect it.” Patrons were joined by many of the contributing artists and live art demonstrations.

Come and be inspired by the generous contributions that these artists have made, enjoy food and drink, speak with the artists and then place your bid at the auction to participate in the liberation of the marginalized though the work of these new partners in social change. Those that can’t be at the National Steinbeck Center on Oct. 17th can participate by bidding on-line. These unique collectible art pieces are available at every price point. See the bidding details below to make an offer today. Several of the most impressive pieces will be converted to a live eBay auction that runs through Oct. 17th if not sold prior to October 14th.

Together we can make a difference. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to share in a celebration of art and the resilience of the human spirit, and a chance to take home a piece of art that will help you share this story for years to come.

Auction Details:

What: One of a Kind Decks Auction: Benefiting Dorothy’s Place and the National Steinbeck Center (a 50/50 split).

Details: Silent Auction:
September 19- October 17
Place your bid in the National Steinbeck Center Museum Store, (831) 775-4721, or make an offer on-line (see below).

eBay Sales/Auction:
October 1- October 17
Go to: http://givingworks.ebay.com/
Type in Non-profit: Dorothy’s Place
(or search by eBay seller: stpebble)

The decks will be available for a fixed price Oct. 1-14. Unsold decks will be entered into an eBay auction starting Oct. 14th and ending Oct. 17th during the Exhibition’s Closing Reception, 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Give the Museum Store staff your email address and we will send you a link to the auction.

Exhibit Details:
On September 19, 2009 the National Steinbeck Center celebrated the opening of its newest exhibition featuring art by Central Coast artists on the unique platform of a skateboard deck.

This exciting innovative exhibition, co-presented by Dorothy’s Place Hospitality Center of Salinas, brings street culture to the masses. The skateboard decks have been painted, burned and re-assembled in mediums from acrylic and oil paint to permanent marker, spray paint and gold leaf. You defiantly won’t be bored, and are sure to find at least one deck you can’t live without!

The exhibit is complimentary.

Exhibit Details:

September 19-October 17, 2009

Contemporary art exhibition entitled, “What the Deck?” Approximately 70 artists will take the surve foundation of a utilitarian sproting tool (the deck of a skateboard) and transform them into rad pieces of art – honoring the vehicle itself and the sub-culture that uses the vehicle. At the end of the exhibition, all of the skateboard decks will be auctioned to benefit both the National Steinbeck Center, serving our community with culture and educational programs and Dorothy’s Place Hospitality Center, serving the poor, homeless and otherwise marginalized.

Exhibit Location: National Steinbeck Center One Main Street Salinas California 93901.

National Steinbeck Center Background:

The National Steinbeck Center is located in Oldtown Salinas, right in the heart of Steinbeck Country. Its permanent and special exhibits pay tribute to not only the life of Steinbeck, but his commitment to the forgotten and disenfranchised. The Center is also an attraction for school groups and adult tours, and is a unique venue for special events. The Center is a 501(C)3 non-profit institution.

Dorothy’s Place Hospitality Center background:

Established as a soup kitchen in 1982, by a handful of Catholic Workers, Dorothy’s Place first served the forgotten of Salinas in the derelict Chinatown area with regular meals and warm acceptance. It eventually evolved into a multi-faith intentional community of servants to the poor, adding a health clinic, an emergency women’s shelter and most recently, an art studio and gallery called @risK, where the marginalized are encouraged to express themselves creatively. It has become a local Mecca for graffiti artists, exhibits creations from many subcultures, including prison art and campesino art, and was featured in the Summer 2009 edition of nationally distributed Artworks Magazine.

Skateboard Art is Live – Let the bidding Begin!

by Chuck on October 6th, 2009

What the Deck? auction at the Steinbeck Center  has started. All  skateboard decks are live on eBay as of Tuesday, October 6th.  They are currently listed in a fixed price format.  Some decks will convert to auction format on October 7th for online bidding until October 17th around 8:00PM. You may view them on eBay with the link below.

Link to eBay Store displaying What the Deck items:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/ST-Pebble-and-Company__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Opening Day, What the Deck? at the Steinbeck Center

by Chuck on September 20th, 2009

Here are the opening photos from the What the Deck? art show. Some of the photos will be featured in the 100 page exhibition book, designed by Casella Creative. Overall the opening day exceeded all expectations, +700 visits to the exhibition and +200 at the skateboard demo.

This could only be topped by the closing night Oct 17th 2009. 5-9. Mark it on your calendar.

Skateboard Artshow in Salinas – What the Deck?

by Chuck on September 18th, 2009

The concept of  Casella Creative, a new contemporary art exhibit at the National Steinbeck Center features the works of Central Coast artists on skateboard decks.

Titled “What the Deck?” the show features the works of 80 artists, is co-presented by Dorothy’s Place and is meant to bring street culture to the masses.
The skateboard decks have been painted, burned and re-assembled in mediums from acrylic and oil paint to permanent marker, spray paint and gold leaf. The exhibit is open through October 17.

At the end of the exhibit, the decks will be auctioned with proceeds to benefit the Steinbeck Center and Dorothy’s Place.

Here are some of my favorite entries.

Transforming skateboard decks into works of art

by Chuck on July 22nd, 2009

At his drafting table, Chuck Casella, a graphic artist and skateboarder living in a River Road neighborhood, draws items on the blank “deck” — the wooden flat surface — of a skateboard.
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Socks, caps, aprons, forks, shoes, pans and pots take shape on the pink-painted surface.

“Little hearts, too,” Casella said. “Don’t forget those. That’s what Dorothy’s Place is about, giving unconditional love to people who have nothing.”

Casella is on the board of the Franciscan Workers, which runs Dorothy’s Place at 30 Soledad St. in Salinas. The nonprofit organization supplies services and meals to poor and homeless people.

read more
writing: DAVE NORDSTRAND

Multiplication of Small Successes-Visual Data for Non-profit

by Chuck on July 17th, 2009

Casella Creative illustrates visual data poster for non-profit in Salinas, California. In 2008 Dorothy’s Place had a pretty big year of assisting the marginalized. Dorothy’s Place believes in the value and dignity of ever person, in hospitality for our most marginalized, and in a future where our respect of our neighbor transcends fear and greed. As a way of quickly displaying the good deeds of DP to the newsletter subscribers we decided to focus on the numbers. This poster simply tells the story of DP in 2008.

Skateboard Art Show at the National Steinbeck Center–Need Artists!

by Chuck on July 7th, 2009

The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, is looking for artists for an upcoming exhibition

& fundraiser, where artists can showcase their work on a skateboard deck to be displayed

with approximately 50 other artistically created decks in the National Steinbeck Center’s

magnificent rotunda.

How to enter:

Artist will be chosen based on talent, experience and desire to enter the show. The artists will be hand-picked by a panel of judges over the next 2-4 weeks. We are looking for a diversity of artists from all backgrounds, sculptural motifs, paintings, photographs, carvings and prints that can be rendered on to a skateboard deck. Email/mail us samples of your work or why you would like to enter the show. There is no application fee or exhibition fee. However, a deposit of $ 25.00 for the board is required until it is completed. The deposit will be returned once the finished deck is returned to the National Steinbeck Center. Pre-paid postage is required if you would like us to mail you a deck. All the art decks on exhibit will be available for sale by silent auction.

Pickup and drop off:

Artists can expect to pick up their decks starting on Friday July 10th at the National Steinbeck Center. The Art Decks must be returned to the National Steinbeck Center and ready for installation no later then Friday September 4th.

Exhibition:

This exhibition opens on September 19, 2009 at the National Steinbeck Center with a gallery reception being held that day. Participating artists are invited to attend the opening reception (no cost). This is a great opportunity for artists to come on site to show your work to family and friends, sell or promote your work on site, raise money for a good cause, and have some great fun. A skateboarding event is being planned to be held across the street from the National Steinbeck Center. The exhibition will close on October 17, 2009. At the close of the exhibition winning bidders will acquire the piece of artwork and the money raised will become a donation to the National Steinbeck Center and Dorothy’s Place.

download poster here

Featured in the Salinas Califorian