The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has a very interesting exhibition of "casta" paintings detailing racial mixing among eighteenth-century Mexico’s native Indian, European, and African populations.

The exhibition reflects what many upper-class Spaniards thought about race, class and skin color during the 1700s, when Mexico was a colony of Spain.

Another sign that some sanity may be returning to contemporary art:

The 2004 Jerwood Drawing Prize actually went to... a drawing!

An actual, real drawing won, despite "the judges declaring that they were prepared to stretch the definition to breaking point."

Past shortlisted entries have included drawings in dust, string, and moving light recorded by a video camera.

But this year, the first prize of £5,000 went to a real drawing by Sarah Woodfine.

See all the prizewinners here.

For Women Photographers

The next Secondsight meeting will be held this coming Thursday, September 23 at 6.30pm in Bethesda, MD. The guest speaker will be Amy Lamb, a very successful fine arts photographer and highly respected scientist. For more information, visit www.secondsightdc.com or call Catriona Fraser at (301) 718-9651. Meetings are free for members - $10 for guests.

Secondsight is an organization dedicated to the advancement of women photographers through support, communication and sharing of ideas and opportunities. Secondsight is committed to supporting photographers at every stage of their careers, from students to professionals. Each bi-monthly meeting includes an introductory session, a guest speaker, portfolio sharing and discussion groups. Each photographer will have the opportunity to present their work within a small group of other photographers, ask for constructive criticism, gain knowledge or simply share their artistic vision and techniques.

Tonight, Annie Adjchavanich, Executive Director of WPA\Corcoran, will present an overview of the Artist Directory and Artfile, the organization's most recent publication, the "2004-2005 Washington Project for the Arts\Corcoran Artist Directory," the 540-page, full-color publication lists 500 artists living and working in the DC, Maryland and Virginia region. Its usefulness as an invaluable resource for finding art, locating artists to create commissioned work will be addressed. Some artists included in the directory will be available to talk about their artwork (bringing a sample with them) and share success stories with the WPA\C and the Artist Directory.

September 21, 2004 6:30pm-9:00pm
Design Within Reach Georgetown Studio
3307 Cady's Alley, Washington, DC 20007
(Near Hemphill Fine Arts) - FREE
RSVP: wpainfo@corcoran.org

Fifteen artists around the Dupont Circle and Logan Circle areas of DC are opening their studios to the public this coming weekend; great opportunity to meet the artists!

The artists participating include:

The Vastu Studios (1829 14th street, 14th street between T and S - enter through Vastu Gallery):
Kristina Bilonick
Colin Winterbottom
Brian Petro
Saturday and Sunday - noon till 5 PM

In the studios next to Maison 14 (1327 14th street)
Gary Fisher
Charlie Jones
T Santora
John Talkington
Glenn Fry
1 pm - 4 pm Saturday and Sunday

In the studio of Sondra Arkin (1764 Church Street)
1 pm - 4 pm Saturday and Sunday

The studios of Kelly Towles and Virginia Arrisueño at 1643 13th street, NW, #1
Sunday 1- 4 PM

The studio of Nicolas Shi (1500 P street, NW)
Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5 PM

The studio of Robert Cole (1714 15th street)
Saturday and Sunday 1 - 4 PM

The studio of Peter Alexander Romero (1320 Wallach Place - between T and U)
Saturday 12 - 5 PM
Sunday 12 - 4 PM

The studio of Gina Miele at Raven Arts (1833 14th street, #201)
Saturday 11 - 6 and Sunday 11 - 5 PM

This website has some really good advise for artists on how to apply for grants.

By the way, there's no better resource in the world for connecting artists and grants than the Foundation Center, which happens to have a local office here in Washington, DC.

They also offer a CD ROM (for $75) titled Guide to Greater Washington D.C. Grantmakers that features profiles of over 2,500 grantmakers located in the DC region and funders in 40 different states that have an interest in funding DC-area projects.

DCARTNEWS reader and photographer James W. Bailey, after reading the posting about the Washington City Paper's article on the grubs, writes in with his own memoirs of them:

" ... had to email you about "the grubs" after reading the Washington City Paper article and your post.

During my 2 ½ years at the Greater Reston Arts Center, they never missed any of our openings, including fine art openings in the main gallery, Market Street Bar & Grill openings for solo artists at Reston Town Center, children’s art openings for the children who participate in Summer Art Camp and GRACE’s Art-in-the-Schools Program, it didn’t matter. If we had an opening that included wine and food, you had better believe they were there.

When I was new to Reston, several Restonians told me that they were one of the original new town pioneer couples who moved to Reston during the early 1960’s; that they had fallen on hard times and that the only thing they had left was their $600,000 Lake Anne home and were struggling to survive on their last $200,000 in the bank.

Having lived in New Orleans for 20 years - New Orleans being the poorest American city per capita - I know a thing or two about real poverty and people really down on their luck and doubted the accuracy of many of these Reston tales about them. Again, being from New Orleans their eccentric behavior and dress would merit them about one quarter of one nano second of attention in the Big Easy where Bank Officers, Corporate Executives and Baptist preachers parade around dressed like something out of a Mardi Gras nightmare. However, in Reston, they were obviously something of a spectacle. Finally, my curiosity got the better of me and I just flat out asked them who they were and what they were all about while they were munching away on imported English cheese and crackers at one of our openings.

They were kind enough to share the history of their lives and experiences (pretty much per the article) and, yes, their art interests, with me. This conversation took place in probably October or November of 2002. Later in 2003 they attended one of our catered functions at Market Street Bar & Grill (a very very popular venue for them because the Hyatt puts on quite an impressive seafood spread with decent wine) and I told them about being notified that I had been selected for a solo exhibition at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center for October of 2004.

They both gave me this profoundly disappointed look and said that they had stopped going to that venue because the artists themselves cater their own receptions and the quality of their past experiences was appalling. I promised them that being from New Orleans I could guarantee that they would leave my reception dancing in the streets with joy over the spread I would be importing from some of the finest restaurants in Louisiana. They said they would consider it as my show got closer.

On the day of my reception, 9-11-04, I was starting to panic around 2:45 pm. My reception was scheduled to run from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. During the process of taking down the food and beverage tables, along with "The Death of Film" installation piece designed by a friend of mine and fellow Board Member of the LRA, Robyn Spence, suddenly I looked up and there they were... with a look of calm hunger on both their faces. They proceeded to filter through various food items that had already been packed into the ice chests. I was so relived. I told them that I too would have considered myself a failure had they not attended my reception.

They didn’t buy any of my work. They never bought any work while attending GRACE functions to my knowledge either. It’s really a wonderful pleasure to know that there are people in this world who love art enough to protect the value of their wallets. I’m not sure just what that means that I just said, but I do know that they have promised to come to my January 2005 solo show in Reston, even though I’m not catering food and wine for that one!"

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities: Money For DC Artists 18 to 30 Years Of Age

Deadline: Tuesday, October 12, 2004

The Arts Commission recognizes up and coming DC artists with The Young Artists Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $3,500 to DC artists between the ages of 18 and 30. For more information and an application, call 202-724-5613, or visit this website.

John Metcalfe's "The Hunger Artists" in the current edition of the Washington City Paper is one of the most readable and funny articles that I have read in ages.

I had always heard that they "bought" work, but in over 100 shows between the two Fraser Galleries, they've eaten a ton of food and drank gallons of Sangria, and yet never, ever even feigned remote interest in any of the artwork - now I know why: we don't show colorful abstraction.

But they still come to every opening, devour whatever is on the plate, and head straight out to the gallery next to us.

And let me tell you: These guys know this city's art scene (as long as there's food) better than anyone else! They could give even the most seasoned of gallery goers and every art critic in this town a lesson on art spaces and where they are and what food they serve.

And I don't know how they do it, but they are also at every embassy, restaurant opening, etc. I've seen them as far south as Virginia Beach.

In Canal Square we call them "the grubs." There are several others in the locust pack besides the ones mentioned in the article.

Worst story I've heard allegedly about them: A now defunct gallery in Leesburg actually had some of Coxe's works in a group show (she's a stained glass artist); the whole gang was there, and apparently it was the daughter's birthday.

To the gallery owner's dismay, he discovered that once all the food and drinks had been devoured in the main gallery, and before he noticed, the grubs all went to the backroom area, and ate all the food that was stored inside the refrigerator there plus two cases of beer.

When he took them to task for doing this, they responded that they were celebrating the daughter's birthday!

I was told that he was so upset that he had her remove her work from the show and threw them out!

It takes all kinds to make a city's art tapestry: Even the grubs!

Opportunities for Artists at University Galleries

None of these have any application or review fees...

Deadline: October 1, 2004

Monterey Peninsula College is currently reviewing slides by U.S. artists for new exhibitions for the 2005-2006 season. Send up to ten slides and supporting materials to:
MPC Art Gallery
Monterey Peninsula College
980 Fremont St
Monterey, CA 93540
(831) 646-3060

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Deadline: October 15, 2004

Valdosta State University's fine arts gallery is now reviewing proposals for solo and small group shows for the 2005-2006 season. Open to all U.S. artists. No sales commission. Send proposal letter and 20 slides, resume and statement to:
Valdosta State University
Dept. of Art
1500 N. Patterson
Valdosta, GA 31602
(229) 333-5835

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Deadline October 23, 2004

Cecilia Coker Bell Gallery at Coker College is reviewing proposals for five solo shows in 2005-2006. No sales commission. Send ten labeled slides, slide list, statement, resume and SASE to:
Larry Merriman
Gallery Director
Cecilia Coker Bell Gallery
Coker College
300 E. College Avenue
Hartsville, NC 29550
(843) 383-8156

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Deadline November 30, 2004

Edinboro University's Bruce Gallery is reviewing proposals for inclusion in small group shows for 2005-2006 season. Send letter of intent, eight slides, resumes, statements and supporting materials to:
Gallery Director
Bruce Gallery
Art Department
Doucette Hall
215 Meadville Street
Edinboro University of Pennsylavania
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2513

The best thing that happens to Washington, DC visual arts is Art-O-Matic and there will be one in 2004!

This is Nirvana for visual artists... if you don't know what Art-O-Matic is then, visit their website and then read my review of the 2002 show here and a second review here.

Over the three Art-O-Matics that have taken place over the years we have picked several artists for our galleries by visiting Art-O-Matic.

Artists such as Adam Bradley, Erik Sandberg, Scott Hutchison, Brad Rudich, Tim Tate, Ardath Hill, and others first came to our attention through these huge, wonderful shows.

This review discusses a new medical theory that tries to explain that the 17th century Dutch master may have had one misaligned eye.

Apparently "the eye on the right side of the painting tends to look straight ahead and the other eye deviates outward," according to a letter published in the Sept. 16 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Apparently this is known as "stereoblindness" and has the same effect as closing one eye, which is what artists do as they try to create three-dimensional images on flat surfaces.

Advantage Rembrandt!

More here.

Art Jobs

The Rockville Arts Place, a non-profit arts organization located in Rockville, Maryland seeks a Director of Development to provide strategic direction and vision during a time of transition as the organization prepares to become part of Rockville’s downtown development project and move into a new facility.

To apply, please submit cover letter, resume, names of three references, and salary requirements to: Debra Moser, Executive Director, Rockville Arts Place 9300 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 by September 15. You may also send information by fax at 301-869-9173 or by e-mail to execdirector@rockvilleartsplace.org.

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The Baltimore Museum of Art is seeking a part-time Special Events Coordinator whose primary responsibility is the planning and implementation of events for the Development Division, including exhibition openings, receptions, and meal functions. The Special Events Coordinator also manages a limited corporate rental program. This position reports to the Deputy Director for Development.

The schedule for this contract position is three days per week in the Special Events office, plus event coverage. The successful candidate will be creative and detail-oriented and will have strong organizational and budget management skills. The ability to manage multiple projects at the same time is critical. Excellent word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and internet skills are essential. Special events experience and a college degree are required.

Please send resumes to: Judith M. Gibbs, Deputy Director for Development, The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21218.

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The Village of Arts and Humanities is seeking a Managing Director who oversees and manages the financial planning for the organization and assists in the management of all Village program activities and related staff development. Duties include overseeing financial planning and monitoring of program budgets, actively participate in planning and development of strategies, guide and support managing staff.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, Masters preferred, at least 5 years experience in non-profit management position, knowledge of computer systems and equipment (PC and Mac). $38,000+ (depending on experience), plus full benefits, starting September 2004. Email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to village@villagearts.org Attn: Managing Director Search.

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The Textile Museum in DC invites applications for the position of Director to provide vision and leadership for dynamic institutional growth. Primary responsibilities reflect the Museum's strategic priorities: programming that promotes public appreciation of the textile arts; expansion of local, national, and international audiences; and fundraising to address current and future needs.

Qualifications: knowledgeable and enthusiastic about arts, textiles and cultural history; ability to envision and articulate exciting, innovative programming; 6-8 years senior-level administrative experience, including strategic planning and fundraising, in museum or comparable organization; outstanding communications skills to interact effectively with diverse internal and external constituencies. Advanced degree preferred. Full position announcement available at this website. Apply in to: Director Search Committee, The Textile Museum, 2320 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 or searchcommittee@textilemuseum.org.

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Curator of the Art Gallery: American University – DC. The American University, College of Arts and Sciences announces an open position for Curator of the art gallery at the new Katzen Arts Center. This position will be responsible for artistic and creative direction of the gallery including: overall planning for gallery collections, collection development, conservation, management, operations, and exhibitions and programming.

Duties include coordinating press and public relations, seeking donations for art collections, assisting in capital fundraising, working with academic units to integrate students and curricula into gallery operations, developing proposals for program enrichment, and planning for the opening of the Katzen Arts Center. Qualifications required include graduate degree in art history or related field, PhD preferred,and curatorial/exhibition experience.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. To apply, complete an application in person or send your resume to: American University, Office of Human Resources, 4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016-8054. e-mail: careers@american.edu. Fax: 202-885-1737. Applicants may also download an application from their web site.

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Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation seeks a Development Officer who will be responsible for the initiation, oversight, planning, implementation, and management of a development program that secures significant financial resources from government, foundations, corporations, and individuals to support the Foundation's mission.

Qualifications include: a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications or a field related to the arts; two to three years of progressive experience and responsibility in development in an arts or cultural agency; strong research, planning, writing, grantwriting and budgeting skills; and proficiency in computer technology including the ability to use various software applications for project and data management (especially Access and Excel).

The starting salary for this position is in the low $40's. A full benefits package accompanies the position. Send letter of application, resume, writing samples, and names and addresses of three references to: Development Officer/ Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation/ 201 N. Charles St., Suite 401/ Baltimore, MD 21201. For more information, visit their website.

Tonight is the 3rd Friday of the month and thus the openings of the new shows at the five Canal Square Galleries in Georgetown. The openings are catered by the Sea Catch Restaurant and run from 6-9 PM. See ya there!

The Washington Post's art critic Michael O'Sullivan reviews our current show of George Mason University's controversial professor Chawky Frenn's show at Fraser Gallery Bethesda.

O'Sullivan writes:

"Frenn is equally comfortable with ambiguity, a quality that's obvious in three paintings depicting disquietingly androgynous nudes. Yet it is not bare flesh -- at least not human flesh -- that makes up his most disturbing, and, to my eyes, most satisfying, work. Based on photographs taken in butcher shops during trips to his native Lebanon, Frenn's latest and best paintings depict decapitated sheep's heads and beef cattle at various stages of slaughter.

Like all of Frenn's art, they're an attempt to take something ugly and turn it into something beautiful, or, as he says, "to transform manure into new life, [excrement] into fruit." In addition to their shopworn memento mori message, though, that reminds us subconsciously of our own mortality, Frenn pushes other readings of his work. One of his carcasses, after all, is called "Kosher or Halal?" in a reference to the futility of killing in the name of religion (halal refers to Muslim dietary laws)."

Jeffry Cudlin of the WCP, has an excellent review of the current (and next to last before she closes) show at the Elizabeth Roberts Gallery.

Glenn Dixon has several mini reviews in today's Post, including one of "Baltimore's Betsy, the Finger-Painting Chimp: A Retrospective of Her Work" at the American Dime Museum.

From New Orleans, photographer James W. Bailey sends me this great link detailing the true story of an artist and a curator and an exhibition cancelled at the last minute.

Read "Why The Exhibit Was Cancelled."

In what I think is one of the most original ideas that I have been aware of in many years, Linda Hesh, whose work eloquently discusses questions of race, ethnicity and gender issues, takes her artwork to a new public level with the "Art Ads" project.

Her pieces start with a photograph of a friend, or couple, taken at a commercial portrait studio, which gives the work a common, commercial look. She then adds a statement underneath the image, or digitally changes the image itself. Hesh’s work has been shown nationally and is in the collection of the Library of Congress. More work can be seen here.

In "Art Ads", Hesh now takes her work to a new national public level and anyone can be part of it and help deliver its important message. To find out how, visit this website.

Today is the 3rd Thursday of the month, so tonight you can go and visit the 7th street corridor art galleries and art venues as part of the 3rd Thursday Gallery late hours.

Also tonight, the The Art Museum of the Americas of the Organization of American States has its inaugural exhibition of the season with an opening reception from 6-8 PM for a group show titled "Artists of the Americas." The exhibit runs until January 16, 2005.

And tomorrow is Georgetown's turn for gallery openings.