New DC Gallery

Congratulations

Katie Miller, 25, is a winner of the 2008 Wynn Newhouse Award - a $60,000 merit-based grant shared among four professional artists with disabilities. Artists may not apply directly for the award; Miller was one of a group of artists nominated anonymously. Congratulations to Miller and the other award winners: Barbara Bloom, Isabella Kirkland, and Stephen Lapthisophon.

The four award winners were chosen from the pool of nominees by an impressive selection committee consisting of Phong Bui, publisher of the Brooklyn Rail, uberartist Chuck Close, Donna DeSalvo, curator at the Whitney Museum, Chicago-based artist Joseph Grigely, and the award's namesake, art collector Wynn Newhouse.

Miller is excited to meet the other award winners at a private luncheon in New York next month. She plans on using the money to cover part of her graduate school tuition in the fall. "It is an enormous honor to be chosen by such a highly-regarded jury," says Miller, "I was humbled to be amongst the winners. They have outstanding work and are much more accomplished in their careers than me." To the right is "Newborn Walking," a recent charcoal and pastel on paper, 30 x 54 inches.

Miller is also excited to be exhibiting in The Armory Show – The International Fair of New Art, which has been the world's leading art fair devoted exclusively to contemporary art since its introduction in 1999. Top galleries and dealers from all over the world vie for one of less than 200 booths. In just four days, over 52,000 international visitors are expected to shuffle through Piers 92 and 94 along the Hudson River.

Miller is one of fourteen artists chosen by VSA Arts to exhibit in their booth. This is the first year that this non-profit has participated in the show. VSA Arts, which showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities, has previously exhibited Katie Miller's work in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Smithsonian Institution.

As many of you know, I often surf the web looking for new artists (new to me anyway) so that I can highlight them here. Last year I discovered Miller's work and announced it here.

Katie Miller of Parkton, Maryland graduated with honors in 2007 from Maryland Institute College of Art, where she majored in painting. She has been exhibiting her work for the past ten years. She is proud to be on the autism spectrum and is active in the autism rights and neurodiversity movements. Miller thanks autism for her intense concentration, heightened perception, and unique way of viewing the world. She plans on a career as a professional artist.

The 2009 Armory Show takes place from March 5-8, 2009, Pier 94, at Twelfth Avenue at 55th Street, New York, NY. It is open to the public from noon to 8 p.m. March 5-7 and from noon to 7 p.m. on March 8.

Free Studio Space in Philly

Deadline: April 17, 2009

The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR) awards West Philadelphia artists one year of free studio space at 40th and Chestnut Sts. In exchange, each artist shares his/her talents with the West Philadelphia community by leading workshops, teaching classes, exhibiting in the area, etc. Founded by artist Edward M. Epstein in 2003, the program addresses the need for studio space in West Philadelphia, assists artists with career development, and makes the 40th Street area a nexus for visual arts.

They are now accepting applications for the next round of artists. Applications are due April 17, 2009. The next round begins August 15, 2009. Details here.

Tonight at Curator's Office in DC

All the way from Atlanta I am hearing good things about artist Dawn Black, who is about to open tonight in DC's Curator's Office with a reception from 6:30-8PM. Black says that:

"Conceal Project is a collection of ... disguised persons, each being drawn separately on a piece of 7½" x 5½" paper and then arranged in a grid. Currently the project comprises 75 figures, and I am continuing to add more. Often I use the Conceal Project as a character bank, as these collected characters find their way into the narratives of my larger drawings. Each of these larger drawings tells a story by depicting numerous disguised figures whose mysterious and ambiguous relationships become intertwined with the viewer's beliefs regarding the authentic and the covert, the formidable and the meek, the false witness and the sincere, and are intended to invoke the aura of a forgotten myth or a foreboding parable."

Dawn Black, The Quarrelsome Shepherds, watercolor, ink, and gouache on paper, 15" x 17", 2009

New Campello Drawings

2008 sucked for most art dealers and artists, yet somehow, I think because they are generally intimate in size and affordable, I managed to sell a lot of drawings in 2008. Nearly all the sales took place in art fairs in New York, Santa Fe and Miami, plus a couple of art festivals.

I need a Los Angeles dealer and then I'll be set in 2009. My drawings will be up in New York next month during Armory week, and here are some new ones from my series on Biblical legends and nuns (if you want to buy any before I turn them over to galleries next week, drop me an email:

"The Magdalene Escaping from Egypt" 3 x 10 inches. Charcoal on paper.


"Lilith Creating Darkness" 3 x 8 inches. Charcoal on Paper


"Sister Mary Merlot" 2 x 8 inches. Charcoal on Paper


"Sister Mary Sentada and Sister Mary Robotica" 3.25 x 9 inches. Charcoal on Paper


"Sister Mary de Nubes" 9.75 x 2 inches. Charcoal on Paper


"Sister Mary Encerrada" 8 x 2 inches. Charcoal on Paper


"God Creating Light" 9 x 3 inches. Charcoal on Paper

What Mike sez

I didn't go to the meeting, but from what I read here, Licht has some good points...

The Washington Glass School & Studio is seeking...

WGS is looking for individuals for several positions. That studio is one of the busiest in the region, serving hundreds of students and professional artists each year.

I am told that the work will be varied, and often messy. They are looking for someone available on weekdays, not just evenings and some weekend work is required.

They will in return offer you the opportunity and access to a world class studio, and mentorship towards your own art career with three very successful artists.

Positions available:

(1) Studio Assistant. This would be a paid position which starts at $10 per hour. They will "also strive to find you additional side jobs to supplement your pay." This position is very hands on. You will be mold-making, lost wax casting, deep relief dry plaster casting, cleaning the studio, welding, etc. Experience in any of these skills is great, but otherwise you will be learning them quickly. Dependability is primary in this position, and the ability to work with a wide variety of personalities. The ideal candidate is self-motivated and can work in a multi-task arts environment, where craftsmanship and pride of work is important.

(2) Studio Intern. This is an unpaid position, but then they are much more flexible about work hours. They would depend on a schedule you agree to, but then stick to. This is a great way to learn a large variety of skills and receive mentorship in your own art career. This is a very exciting opportunity for someone who doesn't have the resources to pay for the classes offered there.

(3) Teaching Assistant. This position is also unpaid, and requires some experience in glass. This is perfect for the glass artist who wants to help out at a few classes, and learn while they assist. Its also a great way to be exposed to the energy and experience surrounding this studio, but in short time spans.

If you'd like to join their award winning and frenetic team, please email washglassschool@aol.com or call Tim Tate at 202-744-8222.

Sharp at Delaware

Photographer, Keith Sharp (who happens to live in the same little town that I do - Media), will be exhibiting work in a solo show at Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts. Sharp is a present-day surrealist who digitally manipulates photographs to capture the uncanny or quirky in everyday scenes, combining human, urban, and natural elements to play tricks on our perception.


This exhibition runs from February 27 – April 5, 2009. The opening reception is Friday, March 6, 2009 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm. Hours are Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat: 10 am - 5 pm, Wed and Sun: 12 pm - 5 pm.

Tough times

Zach Feuer, the New York dealer with a knack for turning young art-school grads into stars, has dropped eight artists -- nearly half of his roster.

“I didn’t want to be big in this economy,” said Feuer, 30. “Now is the time to have a lower overhead and be small and lean.”

After seven heady years in the art market, dealers and artists alike are adjusting to the slowdown in sales and prices. Four Manhattan galleries have shut down since September, and a fifth -- Soho’s Guild & Greyshkul -- will join them next week. The closings are leaving scores of artists without representation.

Artists who are no longer listed on the Zach Feuer gallery’s web site include the commercially and critically successful Israeli-born Tal R, Brooklyn-based Danica Phelps and Christoph Ruckhaberle of Leipzig’s Academy of Visual Arts.

The gallery will continue to represent Dana Schutz, Anton Henning, Jules de Balincourt, Nathalie Djurberg, Phoebe Washburn, Tamy Ben-Tor, Justin Lieberman, Dasha Shishkin, Johannes VanDerBeek and Stuart Hawkins.

Details here.

Wanna go to an opening in DC tomorrow?

My good friend and ubercurator Laura Roulet co-curated this exhibition together with Tatiana Flores at the OAS Museum and it includes Puerto Rican, Venezuelan and Cuban-American artists, working in all sorts of media and it sounds like a really cool exhibition at one of the District's most beautiful art spaces... and I will check it out later.

The opening reception is Friday, February 20 starting at 6 pm... if you've never been to the OAS Museum, go and see this gorgeous space and some really cool art.

Auction!!!

ArtDC has an auction coming up to support the development of their new studio and art space. This one is one of those auctions which really offers great art and needs your support.

Date: February 21, 2009 (rain date February 28, 2009)
Time: 5 pm until 8 pm
Where: Wohlfarth Galleries, 3418 9th Street, NE, Washington, D.C.

Details can be found here.

At Vox Populi

This looks really interesting at Philly's Vox Populi:

Fakes

A surprising recent decision by the New York State Supreme Court to allow certain motions to move forward in a suit alleging fraud against Christie’s has sent a chill down the collective spines of the major auction houses.

Read the Artinfo article by Judd Tully here.

Art-In-Architecture Artist Registry

The General Services Administration (GSA) Art in Architecture Program commissions the nation's leading artists to create large-scale works of art for new federal buildings.

For more information, visit this websiteand type “art in architecture” into the search bar in the upper right hand corner.

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: March 12, 2009

The Visual Arts Committee organizes nine solo, group, or theme-based exhibitions per year at the St. Paul Student Center's 520 sq. foot Larson Art Gallery. It also organizes four solo exhibitions at Coffman Memorial Union''s Coffman Art Gallery. To ask for a prospectus please make sure to include all of the following:

• Note which Gallery you are applying for (Coffman or Larson)
• 3-5 slides of your artwork or digital images in jpeg format
• Artists' statement and contact information
• Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of images.

Send proposals to:

Minnesota Programs & Activities Council
Visual Arts Committee
University of Minnesota
Coffman Memorial Union RM 126
300 Washington Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Sondheim Semifinalists Announced

Twenty-six visual artists or groups from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia were named semifinalists a few days ago for Baltimore's fourth annual Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize.

The 26 (dominated by Baltimore area artists) are:

• Seth Adelsberger, Baltimore

• "Alzaruba," also known as Al Zaruba, Baltimore

•The Baltimore Development Cooperative, Baltimore. The cooperative includes Scott Berzofsky, Dane Nester and Nicholas Wisniewski, who are working on a community farm/art project in East Baltimore. Berzofsky and Wisniewski are former founding members of the artist collective known as Camp Baltimore.

•Lisa Blas, Washington, D.C.

• Rachel Bone, Baltimore

• Jessica Braiterman, Beltsville

• Travis Childers, Fairfax, Va.

• Mary Coble, Washington, D.C.

• R.L. Croft, Manassas, Va.

• Alyssa Dennis, Baltimore

• Liz Ensz, Baltimore

• Leslie Furlong, Baltimore

• Ryan Hackett, Kensington, Md.

• Christian Herr, Lancaster, Pa.

• Jason Horowitz, Arlington, Va.

• Jessie Lehson, Baltimore

• Kim Manfredi, Baltimore

• Katherine Mann, Baltimore

• Baby Martinez, Washington, D.C.

• Sebastian Martorana, Baltimore

• Lisa Moren, Baltimore

• Ellen Nielsen, Baltimore

• Louie Palu, Washington, D.C.

• Molly Springfield, Washington, D.C.

• "TwoCan Collective," Baltimore. TwoCan Collective consists of two women, "Emily C-D" and Jessica Unterhalter, who often make work using recycled materials.

• Karen Yasinsky, Baltimore

My money is on either Mary Coble or Molly Springfield. Both of them are superbly loaded with talent, and both of them are perennial finalists in all of our area's top art prizes. The judges for this year's prize are Ellen Harvey, a New York-based artist; Valerie Cassel Oliver, curator of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston; and Elisabeth Sussman, a curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.

The winner of the $25K prize will be announced July 11 at the Baltimore Museum of Art. This year's competition drew 334 entries.

Congrats to all 26!

Bailey on the economy

Read it here.

The shape of things to come

Worldwide courts have consistently recognized the right of owners to the return of artwork which has been looted by governments and dictatorships, confiscated, sold and re-sold.

It has taken in some cases several decades for the artwork to return to the familial descendants of the original and rightful owners, but essentially international law is pretty clear on the subject that generally no government can confiscate private property.

There are, of course, many dictatorships worldwide where one of the foundations of those regimes is that private citizens under their yoke cannot own private property.

It occurred to me recently that when the current Cuban dictatorship took control of that unfortunate island on January 1, 1959, one of the first things that they did after they executed thousands of people, burned and banned books, jailed all political opposition, and closed down newspapers and magazines, was to confiscate most private property.

And there was a lot of artwork confiscated in Cuba.

We've been led to believe that in 1959 Cuba was just another Latin American cesspool, but the facts are that in 1959 Cuba had one of the highest standards of living of any nation in the Americas and a higher per capita income than several European nations and higher than Japan, as well as a positive immigration flow from Europe to Cuba, as well as the third highest protein consumption in the Western Hemisphere. Today the island's food rations are actually lower than the slave rations mandated by the Spanish King in 1842.

The island also had the lowest infant mortality rate in Latin America and the 13th lowest in the world, ranked ahead of France, West Germany, Belgium, Japan, Austria, Italy and Spain. The average wage of a Cuban worker was higher than for workers in West Germany, France, Denmark and Belgium and in the late 50s Cuban labor received 66.6 per cent of the nation's GNP, again higher than several European nations (the US figure is 68%). And the 8 hour week was mandated by law in Cuba in 1933, five years before FDR's New Deal got to doing it in the US. And in the 1950s, 44% of Cubans were covered by social legislation, a higher percent than the US at that time.

And while we've been led to also believe that Cuban peasants and farm workers lived in a near feudal state, the average farm wage in Cuba in 1959 ($3.00 a day) was higher than those of farm workers in France ($2.73), Belgium ($2.70), Denmark ($2.74) or Germany ($2.73). In the US it was $4.06. And in 1959 only 34% of the Cuban population was rural and the nation had the lowest inflation rate in the Americas, 1.4% - the US was at 2.73%

So this was not a nation mired in poverty, as we have been led to believe, but a nation under the yoke of a very brutal dictator in the person of Fulgencio Batista.

The very wealthy Cuban upper and business class hated Batista and became the financial backers of the Castro Revolution, raising millions of dollars for the rebels. They also owned many art masterpieces from both European and Latin American masters.

As a thank you, nearly all of this work was confiscated by the Castro dictatorship and by 1961 most of the best work had made its way to government-owned museums and collections, and most of the owners had made their way to the United States in the largest proportional mass exodus in contemporary history.

When the abomination known as the Soviet Union collapsed in the 90s and Cuba's sugar daddy stopped sending billions of dollars in subsidy to the Castro brothers, the Cuban economy collapsed, and one of the results of that collapse was the mass selling, by the Cuban government, of those confiscated masterpieces, most of which found their way to European museums and European and Asian private collections via French auction houses. Thus many masterpieces once owned by the Fanjul family, or the Bacardi family, or by sugar magnate Julio Lobo (whose interest in Napoleonic memorabilia led to him amassing one of the world's largest collections of Bonaparte memorabilia such as weapons, furniture, paintings, letters, etc.) were sold to European museums and collectors.

But now I think that the end of the brutal Castro dictatorship is nigh, and one day soon, when the rule of law and democracy and freedom returns to Cuba, one of the first things that the descendants of those families should do is to go after whoever now possesses their families' stolen artwork and goods, and in some cases even copyrights.

And the details of these illegal sales have left bloody footprints. For example, according to Maritza Beato's excellent article in El Nuevo Herald titled "El Saqueo del Patrimonio Cultural Cubano" (The Looting of the Cuban Cultural Patrimony), the sale of the Julio Lobo Napoleonic collection to a French museum was orchestrated by a French official attached to the French Embassy in Havana. His name is Antoine Anvil.

And if I was one of those auction houses or museums in Europe or collectors or dealers around the world, I'd be a little nervous.

What goes around comes around.

Jury Duty


I just finished jurying the next exhibition for the D'Art Center in Norfolk, Virginia and it was a very pleasant (and hard work) surprise to find some many really excellent 3D entries in this national show.

Mark Miltz. The Game. Sculptural Installation
Usually when there's a call for artists, the 3D genre is under-represented in the submissions, but in this particular exhibition, several hundred artists from all over the country submitted work, and there were several outstanding sculptural entries.


Tonight I will award about $3,500 in award prizes.


Lesley Hildreth. Hares, multiplying like rabbits while waiting for the tortoise. Clay

Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet

Click on the image for more details...