STABLE Arts Shakes Up the D.C. Arts Scene

 Like a great work of art, the name of D.C.’s largest art studio, STABLE Arts, has layers. There’s the literal: Its building is a former stable. Then there’s its collective meaning — a group of people sharing space and resources: a stable of boxers, of writers. When used to describe a structure or a person, it means “not easily shaken or dislodged.” In the often-irregular lives of artists, some stability can make a big difference. 

The studio, a demure brick building in Eckington, opened in late 2019 to provide local artists with affordable studio space. After several early shakeups, including the Covid-19 shutdown, personnel changes and community-led allegations of inequity, the organization hired Maleke Glee as its inaugural director in January 2021. They charged the Howard University and Goucher College alum with stabilizing the young organization and championing the past, present and future of art in the District, starting with its resident artists. 

“A studio is quite valuable because it gives an artist freedom to make without restriction,” Glee says. “A lot of our artists were previously working in their living rooms or basements. They were cautious of the materials they could explore. There’s a real value in having a designated space where you can get the walls dirty, the floors dirty.” 

Read this really good article by Chad Kinsman in District Fray Magazine here.

Dalíland is coming!

I can't wait to see this new film, and then to hear John Leguizamo bitch about it.

Ben Kingsley and Ezra Miller are Salvador Dalí like you've never seen him.

The actors portray the legendary surrealist's older and younger versions, respectively, in the upcoming film Dalíland, which follows the late Spanish painter — specifically, focusing on "the strange and fascinating marriage between Dalí and his wife, Gala (Barbara Sukowa), as their seemingly unshakable bond begins to stress and fracture," according to a synopsis.

"Set in New York and Spain in 1974, the film is told through the eyes of James (Christopher Briney), a young assistant keen to make his name in the art world, who helps the eccentric and mercurial Dalí prepare for a big gallery show," adds the synopsis for the film, which had its world premiere in September 2022 at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Bad things galleries do to artists: Unethical galleries will take in a piece of artwork by an artist, and when the price is discussed, the gallery says: "What's the price?" and the artist says: "$1000" The gallery nods OK and the artist leaves, knowing that if sold, he'll get $500 (most galleries in the DC area charge 50% commission (in NYC some are as high as 70%). The gallery then sells the piece, but for $2,000, sends the artist a check for $500 and pockets the extra $1,000. That is why artists should insist on having a contract with a gallery, and the contract must specifically address that the artist will get 50% of the actual sale price.

Bad things artists to do galleries: A reputable gallery gives an artist a show, and goes through all the various expenses associated with doing so (rent, electricity, staff salaries, publicity, ads, post cards, opening reception catering, etc.) So far the gallery has put forth a considerable investment in presenting the artist's works. An interested novice collector meets the artist at the opening and expresses interest (to the artist) in buying some of his artwork. The artist, wishing to stiff the gallery for their commission says: "See me after the show and I'll sell it to you directly and save myself the gallery commission." This is not only unethical, but it's also guaranteed to ruin the artist's reputation in the city, as these things always come out in the wash, and soon no gallery will exhibit any work by this artist.

Eve Agonizing Over the Sin

"Eve Agonizing Over the Sin", charcoal and conte on paper, 20x36 inches is now part of a private collection in New York City acquired during NYC's Affordable Art Fair New York City!

Eve Agonizing Over the Sin by Florencio Lennox Campello

Ally Morgan

Ally Morgan made her NYC debut at the Affordable Art Fair New York City and "Girls III" is heading to the collection of a Connecticut art collector!

Girls III by Ally Morgan

"Mild Mac Attack" by Jennifer Kahn Barlow is staying in New York City with two young collectors who added them to their collection via the Affordable Art Fair New York City!

The Dora Patinization of New York!

Dora Patin is killing it at the Affordable Art Fair New York City! "Monarch" is staying here and all other paintings have been acquired by a DC collector!

Plus four new commissions for the playing cards series!

"Sleep is the cousin of death" staying in New York

Ice broken in day two at the Affordable Art Fair New York City as "Sleep is the cousin of death" is gonna stay in NYC!

Also This Dora Patin trompe l'oeil is not coming back! Staying in a private collection in Connecticut! Sold at the Affordable Art Fair New York City!

Opening night last night

Opening VIP night was last night,  and the Metropolitan Pavilion was packed for the Affordable Art Fair New York City ! Over 2300 visitors! Four works by Tim Tate, three trompe l'oeil paintings by Dora Patin and nearly a dozen drawings on Bisque sold! The best place for art is on someone else's walls!

Booth is ready!

 Booth D10 at the Affordable Art Fair NYC! After 8 long hours!

Line outside the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea waiting to get in to the Affordable Art Fair New York City - VIP opening reception tonight!

On the road again...

Van is packed! Headed to New York for the Affordable Art Fair!

Galleryphobia

The below post was originally published about 20 years ago... but it is still very pertinent and funny!

A while back I made some comments on the subject of galleryphobia. Other similar experiences by other gallerists soon followed.

Today, as I sit in the gallery, and observe that Bethesda Plaza is once again packed with people awaiting to be called to the Original Pancake House, and yet only a few brave souls dare to enter the gallery, while dozens float back and forth attempting to view the entire exhibition through the glass walls, I am reminded of another gallery phenomenom: Bin Magnetism, also sometimes called Print Rack Magnetism.

I've not only observed Bin Magnetism evidenced at our two galleries, but also at every single gallery that I've visited that has a floor bin (or print rack) loaded with shrink wrapped matted two dimensional work.

You know the kind; nearly every gallery has one (they usually look like this)- loaded with art work that can be purchased and (usually) taken away immediately - as opposed to the month-long permanence of the scheduled exhibitions on the walls.

Anyway, what I have observed is that there exists a phase two to galleryphobia.

Once the galleryphobia-afflicted person has received enough counseling and encouragement, and then (after a deep breath), dares to actually enter the art gallery, he or she is often immediately and irresistibly attracted by some invisible and powerful force directly to the art bin, much like a stranded swimmer making his way to a floating log in the middle of the ocean.

This is phase two of galleryphobia, hereafter referred to as Bin Magnetism.

And if the gallery happens to have more than one floor bin, then the person usually contracts a more severe and acute case of Bin Magnetism and then makes his way from art bin to art bin, as if swimming from one safe spot to another. Sometimes they work their way around the gallery that way, breathlessly going through the shrinkwrapped artwork, eyes locked onto those pieces, avoiding any eye contact with anyone else, and unfortunately often not even looking up at the exhibition actually hung on the walls before they make their way out of the gallery.

The Bin Magnetized victim can often be rescued and cured by approaching them, smiling at them and starting a light conversation. Once they get over their startled look at discovering that the gallerist is (sometimes) a human being capable of speech, the disease if usually cured on the spot.

In rare ocassions, the Bin Magnetized victim will be allergic to this proven cure and react by either fainting or running away at an Olympic clip.

A Conversation with art collectors

Audiences for Art: A Conversation with Private Art Collectors is Monday, March 20 2023, 7- 8:30 pm. Brought to all of us by the Washington Sculptors Group.

Join lifetime art collectors – Juanita and Mel Hardy, Beverly and Chris With, and Joan Weber in a conversation about their approaches to collecting art for their homes and personal lives. The conversation will be held on Monday, March 20th, 7-8:30 PM.

Register here

This is a conversation about what’s called “private” collecting, personal work for someone’s home. Frequently, sculpture for personal collections is small in scale but may include larger works. 

Why do people collect art? What motivated them to start? To continue collecting? How to they find the work they acquire? How do they decide what they’re willing to spend for a work?  How do couples who collect make their decisions? 

Join longtime collectors, Juanita and Mel Hardy, business people who focus on work by African-American artists, co-founders of the Millenium Arts Salon; Chris and Beverly With, formerly with National Gallery of Art, currently Board Chair and Program Chair of the Washington Print Club; and business person Joan Weber – who will answer some of these questions and many more. 

Campello at auction

Super cheap starting bid of $100 and the auction at Bakker Auctions in Provincetown ends tomorrow. Bid for it here.

J. Jordan Bruns at the Affordable Art Fair NYC

 

The curious case of the "stolen" Rockwells and the White House

Last summer, the White House removed the Rockwells and returned them to William, and a preliminary court hearing is scheduled for April 5. In the meantime, the White House has hung some photos of Joe Biden in their place, according to Politico.

That may be nice for the current president, but it doesn’t compare to having Norman Rockwell sketches on your wall.

Read that article here. 

An unlikely custody battle has broken out over a stash of Norman Rockwell art allegedly stolen and hidden for decades—in the White House.

Read the original WSJ article here.

Take me to the fair

 

Michael Janis at the Affordable Art Fair NYC

 

All About the DMV

Calloway Fine Art is having a show titled All About the DMV opening on March 18th.  The opening event will be from 2-5PM and will be  held in conjunction with Georgetown's Spring Art Walk which is happening the same day from 12-4. 

CALLOWAY FINE ART & CONSULTING

1643 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20007
T: 202-965-4601
callowayart.com
gallery@callowayart.com

Art League of Germantown Celebrates 40 Years

“INSPIRED!” Art Show & Sale Celebrates 40 Years of Art 

The Art League of Germantown proudly celebrates its 40^th anniversary with a new month-long exhibit and sale, March 18 – April 16, 2023, in the Kay Gallery at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, MD.   

“It all started in 1983 with a few of my art students and several artists who saw an article I wrote for The Gazette. It soon became the Art League of Germantown, and it's been 'igniting inspiration' for hundreds of member artists ever since,” says founder Lynne Oakes. “We never imagined this when we started out together in my basement studio 40 years ago.”  

 

The centerpiece of ALOG’s month-long celebration is the Kay Gallery exhibit of fine original works in a wide range of mediums – paintings, prints and photographs, finely crafted jewelry, mixed media works, ceramics, drawings, and fiber art pieces.  A concurrent online gallery at www.alog.org  willpresent the full Kay Gallery exhibit and many additional online-only pieces. 

 

MEET THE ARTISTS OPENING RECEPTION takes place on Saturday March 18, 2-4 pm. Free. Open to all.  

 

Guest speaker Phil Hutinet, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of East City Art, will present The Vibrant DMV Art Scene – Observations and Predictions. Phil will share insights and ideas of interest to artists and art lovers alike. He brings the perspective of a wide-ranging career in the visual arts, including curating or producing more than 50 group and solo exhibitions and, most recently, launching the new Capital Art Book Fair. In 2010, he founded East City Art, the area’s premier resource for exhibit news, educational opportunities, and other information focused exclusively on the visual arts. Phil is a frequent speaker at regional panels and artist talks, and is often interviewed by national and international media such as the BBC, Capital Community News, Euronews, Washingtonian magazine, the Washington Post, WAMU, WJLA, and WTOP. 

Also at the reception, ALOG member Chris Wikman will demonstrate The Musical FX Machine, his steampunk sculpture that plays music! 

 

SPECIAL EVENTS are planned throughout the month, including WEEKEND SHOWCASES with individual artist stations and demonstrations, as well as a live model drawing and photo session led by acclaimed portrait artist Bill Mapes, a collage workshop with award-winning mixed media artist Jeanne Sullivan, a floral drawing and photo session, a family day featuring kids crafts with ALOG fine craft artists, and a book signing with Amy Lance and Marge Wasson debuting WONDER.  A Meet the Artists Closing Reception will conclude the show on April 16, 2-4 pm. Complete details and a full schedule at alog.org.  

 

SHOW HOURS AND LOCATION: BlackRock Center for the Arts | 12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown, MD, 20874 | 301-528-2260 

Monday – Friday 2-6 pm, Saturday – Sunday 11-5 pm. Closed on Easter Sunday, Apr 9. 

 

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE and open to the public. Some require pre-registration at www.alog.org. Free on-site parking. 

 

COVID SAFETY INFORMATION: ​ Masks are encouraged inside the Kay Gallery 

 
LEARN MORE at ALOG and at BlackRock Center for the Arts.  

 
About the Art League of Germantown (ALOG) 

The Art League of Germantown (ALOG) is a group of professional and amateur visual artists, fine crafters and art appreciators organized to further the careers of its members and to bring an appreciation of fine art and crafts to the community. The group, founded in 1983, draws members from throughout Montgomery County.  
Learn more about ALOG at www.alog.org.  For questions, email artists@alog.org.