Frey and Hoffman are presenting works that revisit the carefree and exhilarating days of ones youth.  The work harmoniously portrays imagery conceived by their unique and individual childhood experiences.  The paintings and fabric collages explore feelings of nostalgia ranging from effervescent hot air balloons to the wondrous, yet weird animals of carousel rides. Both Frey and Hoffman's work takes a look back at the underlying bizarreness of some of our most favorite childhood delights. "Admit One" gives the viewer an opportunity to access their own sparkling memories that still resonate within. 

Janel Frey:

Janel Frey, owner of Proximity, is thrilled to be showing her new body of work within the walls of her own establishment. Frey graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a B.F.A in Printmaking. In this show, Frey has created dream-like collage paintings influenced by images from her childhood. The themes of her recent work are a direct result of a series of nostalgic dreams that occurred after the birth of her children. The bizarre shadows in Frey's paintings, emphasizes the fragility of human memory as she attempts to reminisce what it was like to experience the world as a child.

Nicole Hoffman: 

Local artist, Nicole Hoffman, who honed her skills at Philadelphia's University of the Arts, has always brought a sense of whimsy to her creations. Nicole's energy and focus allow her to work as a full time freelance artist while developing personal projects of her own.  Not to be confined by traditional media, Nicole's work combines fabric and found objects to create works of art that are both rich in color and texture.  Out of her formal training has blossomed an approach to art where innocence mingles with absurdity, and beautiful simplicity belies the craftsmanship that goes into each piece.  There is no pretense, only the work and the feelings it inspires.