Starting today, the Sloan Fine Art Gallery on the lower east side is hosting the Alternative Press 25th Anniversary Art Exhibition for three days only! I realize that all of the indie rock hipsters are busy with CMJ crap this week, but I attended the opening party  last night and can assure you that  this exhibit is definitely worth your time to run over and check it out between your showcases and random pukefests.  For this special exhibition, the gallery’s rear room has been transformed with tons of cool photographs, milestones and memoirs from the Alternative Press archives while the main gallery highlights original artworks from artists/musicians who have been featured in the magazine over the years. It was sweetly nostalgic  for me, looking through everything and remembering way back when Trent Reznor used to get me all hot and bothered and I could stand to listen to a Nine Inch Nails CD for more that 30 seconds. Good times.

Joan Jett by Shepard Fairey

The artist list for the exhibition includes works by Adam Jones (Tool), Andy “The Butcher” Mrotek (The Academy Is…), Black Francis (Pixies),  Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance), Greg “Craola” Simkins, Jayme Thornton, Joby J. Ford (The Bronx),  Jordan Buckley (Every Time I Die), Justine Frischmann (Elastica), Marilyn Manson, Marina Chavez, Marc “Porter” McKnight (Atreyu), Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio), Morgan Slade (Miss Derringer), Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy), Ralf Strathmann, Roberto Chamorro, Sean Murphy,   Shepard Fairey, Shirley Manson (Garbage), Tim Armstrong (Rancid) and Travie McCoy (Gym Class Heroes) among many others. The works are also surprisingly diverse. Pictured below are a few of my favorites:

Untitled 2 By Travie McCoy (Gym Class Heroes)

The Doktor By Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio)

The entire exhibit is available to preview online, which I did in advance of seeing everything in person, and I was surprised at how different so much of  the art looks up close, as far as textures and finishes are concerned. The Doktor (seen above) has an attractive, metallic-looking finish to the paint, which is undetectable unless you see the painting up close.

Little Trooper By Greg “Craola” Simkins

Elliott Smith, Silverlake 1997 By Marina Chavez

Mothertongue By Justine Frischmann (Elastica)

Justine Frischmann’s Mothertongue is a large scale mixed media on canvas combining paint and collage. It looks so much more amazing in person than in any photo. I was really impressed!

No Sleep Til Brooklyn By Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy)

Peking Noodle (Ode to Louise Bourgeois) By Shirley Manson (Garbage)

Sloan Fine Art is located at 128 Rivington Street on the Lower East Side of New York City. The Alternative Press 25th Anniversary exhibition will be on display Thursday, October 21st through Saturday October 23rd only. Gallery hours are Noon to 6:00 PM each day.