Wanna go to an post-opening party tonight?

MOCA in Georgetown opened their Erotica 2006 exhibition yesterday, but tonight they're hosting another social mixer starting at 6PM featuring not only the artwork, but also X-rated videos.

And they're going to be doing this every Saturday at 6PM until the end of the exhibition - they will also host a closing party on March 31 starting at 6PM.

They're also having belly dancers, body painters and live figure drawing throughout the month. Contact them for details and schedule.

This looks like fun!

Deadline July 15, 2006 noon

Second Annual Quick Draw Competition at Plein Air Easton - A painting competition and Arts Festival sponsored by Easton Main Street in historic small-town Easton, Maryland.

Any artist may participate for $10 registration fee. (You do not need to be a juried participant in the week long competition). Cash and product awards to winning artists with exhibition/sale of all participants in the lovely gardens of the Historical Society immediately after the Quick Draw. Artists must paint, any medium, in a four block area in the downtown historical area from 2 - 4 PM July 15, 2006.

Juror: Camille Przewodek, OPA. For more information, go to www.pleinair-easton.com or call Carolyn Jaffe at 410-820-8822 or email them here.

Tierney on Hokusai

The Examiner's art critic Robin Tierney checks in with a piece on Hokusai at the Sackler and also a bit on the Frederick Gallery Walk.

Read it here.

How Art Appreciates

British artist and former Tate Prizewinner Grayson Perry opines on what makes art appreciate in value (thanks AJ). He writes:

"I think by far the most important factor in making art works valuable is what experts say and write about them. Respected figures in the art world hold the power to increase the value of a given artist’s work by bestowing art-historical importance and "specialness" upon them. Academics, curators, critics, powerful gallerists and collectors can give out extremely valuable brownie points. A work purchased by a leading public institution boosts an artist’s stock, which is why dealers will offer considerable discounts to museums.

A write-up in one of the heavyweight art mags such as Art Forum or Art Monthly spreads the consensus. One reason that I was so surprised at winning the Turner was that I had never [been] featured in one of these publications. Maybe this is the art equivalent of climbing Everest without oxygen."

Having lived in Great Britain for many years, I know how Brits are obsessed with "class" in all manners and forms, and so it is no surprise to me that Perry's conclusion has to do with class. Read the entire article here.

WaPo on the Corcoran

The WaPo's David Montgomery compiles a write-up of the Corcoran's Thursday shake-up first reported in the blogsphere yesterday, including here.

The article states at the end that "staff writers Blake Gopnik and Kate Wichmann contributed to this report."

Other contributors didn't know they were contributing.

Affordable Artists Studios

From 190 sq. ft at $206 per month to 970 sq. ft. for $1053 per month, and the utilities are included. Shown Wednesdays 6:00 - 8:00 pm at 6925 Willow NW or call 202-882-0740 or visit here and then click on A.Salon.