For tonight

The D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities is currently crafting its next strategic plan. The next important step in the process is to open the dialogue to DC citizens who care about the arts in our community. At this Public Input session, they will talk about central themes that have emerged from the research to date, show you how things are being done in other relevant communities, and ask for ideas regarding three key areas: support of artists and arts organizations, arts education, and arts advocacy.

Tuesday, September 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, 1371 Harvard Street, NW.

New Acquisitions at University of Maryland

Yesterday I dropped by the UM's Stamp Gallery to see the work from:

In the spring of 2008, five gifted students were selected to be part of a committee that was taught the intricacies of contemporary art and sent on trips to New York City and Washington D.C, where they visited multiple galleries and artists ’ studios. The program concluded with the committee of students purchasing a number of pieces of contemporary art to be added to the collection of The Adele H. Stamp Student Union, Center for Campus Life.

The committee’s selections are currently on exhibition in The Stamp Gallery, located on the 1st floor of the Stamp. The exhibition runs through October 1st, 2009.

I'll have more to say once I discuss the acquisitions and this cool program with some of the students and the advisers. Stay tuned, as I've already got a major piece of advice for the program sponsors/faculty.

Art in Windows today

Take a walk through the DC Convention Center and see new art in their windows. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for this unusual exhibit with Mayor Adrian M. Fenty will be at 4:30 PM on Tuesday, September 29 at 7th & M Streets outside of the Mt Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center Metro entrance. At that time, young students from the New Community for Children will be finishing their three-panel art piece that shows their pint-size view of Shaw and awesome musician Kuku will perform.

The artists are: Beth Baldwin, Jason Clark, Tim Conlon, Liani Foster, Amber Robles-Gordon, Eve Hennessa, Michael Dax Iacovone, Anne Marchand, Cory Oberndorfer, Michael Platt & Carol A. Beane, Kelly Towles, Aneikan Udofia, Colin Winterbottom and featuring The New Community for Children.

At Flashpoint tonight


Celebrate the new season at Flashpoint. RSVP required.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 . 6 - 8pm
Flashpoint . 916 G Street, NW

suggested donation $35.00

live theatre performances . visual art exhibition
tasty treats from Jaleo
Barefoot Wine . Southampton Publick House Beer

RSVP to rsvp@culturaldc.org

Let them eat cake

Ayr Hill Gallery will feature a special two-day exhibit of a large “cake canvas,” on Friday, October 2nd, 11 AM-5 PM, and Saturday, October 3rd, 11 AM-4 PM.

Following his popular exhibit last year, David Supley Foxworth, chef and cake artist at MallowDrama in Reston, will be creating a hand-painted reproduction of Claude Monet’s Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son, for this exhibit. Mr. Supley Foxworth will recreate this master work on a large fondant-covered cake, which will be cut and served at 4 PM on Saturday, October 3rd. Slices of this chocolate-cherry cake will be available for free, while they last.

The gallery is located at 141 Church Street NW, in Vienna, Virginia. For more information, visit www.ayrhillgallery.com or call 703-938-3880.