Joshua Liner made the move from the City of Brotherly Love to the Big Apple a few months back and judging by the turnout at his first New York gallery opening, he definitely made the right move. Hundreds of fans packed into his new Chelsea location this past weekend to get a glimpse of dozens of new works by new and established artists including Blaine Fontana, Stash, and Shawn Barber (just to name a few.) The group show, aptly titled Locked & Loaded, runs the gamut from street art to fine paintings to mixed media sculptures.

The VIP preview on Friday was a who's who of movers and shakers in the New York art scene. Suits schmoozed with graffiti writers, rock 'n' rollers pined over the loss of local clubs, and critics jawed about the "new" rise of pop art. Ron English came with his whole family to show off no less than three pieces that he had on exhibit. The enigmatic KAWS chatted with Mark Dean Veca, while Futura posed for photos and sketched for fans.

By the end of the night, the place was still packed, wine was still flowing, and everyone was in good spirits. The best part? Most of the work has sold, and many up and coming artists were exposed to a wider audience. Job done.

The exhibit runs through May 10. For more information visit www.joshualinergallery.com.

Words and photos by George Koroneos.

Joshua Liner welcomes the fans

Kris Kuksi has almost all eyes on his work

Mark Dean Veca Popeyecon

Jane 'Baby Jane' Holzer and Joshua Liner

Genevive Zacconi whispers into Molly Crabapple's ear

Ron Dominguez works his way through the crowd

Mark Dean Veca parts the sea of people

Paul Booth cracks a smile

Ron English

Kris Kuksi Fantasma

Tomokazu Matsuyama (Matzu) and Aiko Nakagawa

The host of the evening

Isaiah Orlen of the F.A.M.E. Collective

Jessica Joslin Valeria

The English kids under dad's work

Shawn Barber (left) compares ink

Packed to the brim

Director of Ad Hoc Andrew Michael Ford

KAWS makes a surprise appearance

Heidi Taillefer

Artist Hans Yim (left) and friend

Futura and Kidlew

Shawn Barber Tattooed Self Portrait

Artist Mark Davis

Ron English, Mark Dean Veca, Stash and Futura

Kenji Hirata

The English clan makes an entrance

Mark's proud son

Aiko Nakagawa Gato

Blaine Fontana Risen