Voices Through Visuals at Del Ray Artisans Gallery

Last night was the opening for the Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Voices Through Visuals at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, show curated by the human tornado known as Laura Ramirez Drain!

The place was packed,  with over 200 people being counted in over the 4 hours that I was there as the awards juror. 

The curator did such an exceptional job in selecting the works, that it was immediately apparent that I was in for a very tough night in awarding the top three prizes and the four honorable mentions!

Frida Kahlo's iconic image was ever present as multiple artists interpreted her image, including powerful works by David Amoroso and Lian Sever.

Also liked the entries by Blanca Belisario, Evgenia Andreeva, Silvia Martinez, Amy Marx and many others!

Prizes awarded as follows:

First Prize: Gloria Valdez for her spectacular double self portrait.

Second Prize: Luis del Valle for Frida with Butterflies.

Third Prize: Paloma Vasquez for Drowning Quietly.

Honorable Mention: Leilani Checo for La Paleta de Fresa.

Honorable Mention: Kelly MacConomy for De Generacion en Generacion. 

Honorable Mention: Betsy Jones for her tiny work Rosario and Alex: Secret Lovers.

Honorable Mention: Walter Gordon for La Llorona II.

First Prize winner Gloria Valdez

Third Prize Winner Paloma Vasquez 

Paloma Vasquez - Drowning Quietly

Kelly MacConomy - De Generacion en Generacion

Betsy Jones - Rosario and Alex: Secret Lovers

Leilani Checo - La Paleta de Fresa.

Walter Gordon - La Llorona II

Frida with Butterflies by Luis del Valle 

The first Prize winner by Gloria Valdez "Tarasca"

Tomorrow the Sun Will Rise: The Phillips Collection Juried Exhibition

Juried by Leila Grothe, Operations Manager at the Ruth Arts Foundation and Jordan Martin, the former Curatorial Production Manager at the Washington Project for the Arts (WPA), and curated by Tie Jojima is Curator of Global Contemporary Art at The Phillips Collection and Tsedaye Makonnen, an award-winning interdisciplinary artist, the current exhibition "Tomorrow the Sun Will Rise" at The Phillips Collection continues the refreshing newish approach by the Phillips to become a local museum who looks in its own backyard to showcase our area's artists.

The call for artists received about 1,500 entries, which is more than enough proof for the hunger that area artists have for this kind of call.  And I am about to confess that until today, I had no idea that this call for artists existed, and I suspect that had I received a news release or any indication that the call was active, once announced her they would have probably received 3,000 entries!

Of the 1,500 entries, 56 works were selected by the jurors, and it includes a refreshing number of "new" artists - and when I say "new", I mean new to me, which counts for something after almost 40 years of being around the DMV visual art scene and curating over 200 exhibitions. On the other hand, there are a lot of "out of town" artists from Baltimore, which is technically not the DMV, and so.... Anyway, back to the "new" artists: This is GOOD and my kudos to the Phillips and the jurors and curators for being able to reach deep into the local area and giving these new artists a showcase at one of the planet's most distinguished venues!

Also noted that the jurors, when they liked someone's work, opted for including more than one work by that artist, which is unusual, as jurors often opt for adding more artists, rather than multiple works from one.

There are also some well-known DMV area artists such as Alexandra Silverthorne, Mary Early, Cianne Fragione, Leslie Holt, Joey Mánlapaz, Gail Shaw-Clemons and others, but the vast majority are refreshing new names.

I was especially taken in by Baltimore's Mark Armbruster's entry titled “How long will it take for the sea level to rise two feet? I mean, think about it, if your ice cube melts in your glass it doesn’t overflow; it’s displacement. I mean, this is some of the things they’re talking about mathematically and scientifically..."

How long will it take for the sea level to rise two feet? I mean, think about it, if your ice cube melts in your glass it doesn’t overflow; it’s displacement. I mean, this is some of the things they’re talking about mathematically and scientifically... by Mark Armbruster

I gotta admit that I am a sucker for artists who not only create great art, but also take the time to come up with great titles that transport the art from the visual to the mentally sublime... well done Mr. Armbruster!

Paloma Vianey from DC has a couple of pieces in the show, both of which show not only well-honed painting skills, but also intelligent presentation.

Chamarra No. 30: Viva México by Paloma Vianey
30 x 26 x 0.5
Medium: Oil on canvas and zipper

Finally, I was also very impressed by Aishwariya Chandrasekar's small but packed with visual action embroideries on cotton cloth.

The artists in the show are:

Negar Ahkami, Arlington, VA 

Sobia Ahmad, Silver Spring, MD

Mark Armbruster, Baltimore, MD

Hannah Atallah, Baltimore, MD

Aliana Grace Bailey, Baltimore, MD

Sasha Baskin, Baltimore, MD

Diego Borgsdorf, Washington, DC

Kara Braciale, Falls Church, VA

Danyela June Brown, Washington, DC

Thea Canlas, Baltimore, MD 

Adam Chamy, Washington, DC

Christina Chan, Washington, DC

Aishwariya Chandrasekar, Columbia, MD

Alexandra Chiou, Arlington, VA

Se Jong Cho, Baltimore, MD

C.S. Corbin, Washington, DC

Pamela Crockett, Baltimore, MD

Mary Early, Washington, DC

Erin Fostel, Baltimore, MD

Cianne Fragione, Washington, DC

Emily Francisco, Washington, DC

Kyle Hackett, Washington, DC

Leslie Holt, Takoma Park, MD

Kei Ito, Baltimore, MD

Savannah Faith Jackson, Washington, DC

Omari Jesse, Washington, DC

David Joo, Alexandria, VA

Khin, Washington, DC

Don Kimes, Rockville, MD

Sharon Cheuk Wun Lee, Washington, DC

Madyha Leghari, Hyattsville, MD

Ringo Lisko, Baltimore, MD

Joey Mánlapaz, Washington, DC

Aynex Mercado, Frederick, MD

Margaret Murphy, Baltimore, MD

Danielle Mysliwiec, Takoma Park, MD

Abdulrahman Naanseh, Fairfax, VA

Javaid Nayyar, Washington, DC

Jhon Ochoa, Chevy Chase, MD

Katie O’Keefe, Baltimore, MD

Nami Oshiro, Falls Church, VA

Mojdeh Rezaeipour, Oakton, VA

Gail Shaw-Clemons, Washington, DC

Alexandra Silverthorne, Washington, DC

Anne C. Smith, Washington, DC

Bria Sterling-Wilson, Owings Mills, MD

Melissa Sutherland Moss, Baltimore, MD

Paloma Vianey, Washington, DC

This special exhibition is on through September 20th.

What if art lovers from across Maryland could discover your work?

Having an open studio - even if your studio (like mine) is also known as the laundry room - is one of the best, tried and true ways to easily expose your work! And you constant readers know how I stress how artists need to work to get their work seen as much as possible!

This series was created to help all artists learn how to open their studios, but is especially focused on preparing for the upcoming Artist Open Studios tour of Maryland.

Since 2024, Maryland Artist Collective's Artist Open Studios Tour has brought Maryland artists and art lovers together for two days of studio visits, art discovery, and personal connection. Every year they have grown exponentially. More artists, more locations, and more sponsors that generate buzz around the state. This year, we’re building together an even stronger tour, and we want to show you how to be part of it.

In this free informational webinar, you’ll learn how participating in the Tour can help you expand your audience, build relationships with prospective collectors, and sell your work commission-free in your own space.

They cover:

• How AOS can expand your reach across Maryland through statewide marketing, publicity, and promotion
• How your work stays visible beyond Tour weekend through your year-round AOS artist profile
• How art lovers discover and find you through the interactive map and professionally designed Tour Guide
• What marketing tools AOS provides to help you promote your own open studio
• What resources and guidance you’ll receive to help you prepare for a successful Tour
• How to participate if you don’t have a studio, including options for sharing another artist’s studio or joining a group location
• What participation involves, including key dates, fees, deadlines, and registration
• You’ll leave with a clear picture of how the Artist Open Studios Tour works, what AOS provides, and what you need to do to participate.

Ophelia

 

Ophelia
Graphite & Conte drawing on broken, unfired Bisque by F. Lennox Campello

Homage to Frazetta

 

Homage to Frank Frazetta
Graphite & Conte drawing on broken, unfired Bisque by F. Lennox Campello

Ayn Rand

 

Homage to Ayn Rand
Graphite & Conte drawing on broken, unfired Bisque by F. Lennox Campello

Frida Smoking

Frida Smoking
Graphite & Conte drawing on broken, unfired Bisque by F. Lennox Campello

 

Rejected!

 Artists need thick skin!

Greetings,

Thank you for your interest in the Louisiana Percent for Art opportunity at Northwestern State University, and your patience throughout the review process.

The selection committee reviewed submissions through multiple rounds of evaluation and discussion. After thoughtful consideration, the committee has completed its selection process. Unfortunately, you were not chosen to move forward as a finalist for this project.

We appreciate the time and effort you put into your application and encourage you to stay connected through our website at www.louisianaarts.org or on Instagram at @lapercentforart for future opportunities.

All the best,

April M. Baham
Assistant Director, Percent for Art
Louisiana Division of the Arts
www.louisianaarts.org

REJECTED! (Again)

REJECTED!

I have an interesting relationship with the Washington Commission on the Arts & Humanities. For the last 20+ years they have rejected my artwork for their annual call for art for the city’s collection or any other proposal that I've submitted.

At the same time, they usually ask me separately to be in one of their panels selecting artists and artwork for fellowships, projects, or to acquire art. This year is no exception! Below is my annual rejection email... and yes, separately they've asked me to serve in one of their panels again!

Dear Lenny Campello: 

DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities (CAH) appreciates your FY27 Art Bank Program Grant application. Unfortunately, your application was not approved for funding.  

Please know that CAH makes every effort to gain valuable feedback from the advisory panelists and shares that information with applicants upon request. Many applicants have found these comments and insights from panelists helpful in furthering their endeavors, as well as in developing future applications to CAH. You may request a debriefing within 60 days from the date of this letter by filling out this form. Due to volume and staff capacity, please allow for up to six months for debrief processing. If you have further questions, please contact Curator Michelle May-Curry at michelle.may-curry@dc.gov or (202) 215-9486.

CAH appreciates your valuable contribution to the arts and humanities community and encourages you to apply to future grant programs. You may wish to consider participating in our grant workshops to obtain information about specific grant programs and best practices for applying to CAH’s grants. Once grants are open, a list of workshops may be found on CAH’s website at www.dcarts.dc.gov. 

Sincerely, 

Karyn Miller 

Public Arts Department Manager

Purports

 Dear NPR reporter Ryan Lucas: Using the word "purports" 3-4 times on air in less than a minute has probably sent thousands of listeners rushing to their dictionaries; don't do it again!

Rejected!

From the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County:

Dear Lenny,

Thank you for submitting your application for consideration to Printed Voices, an exhibition presented by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County. While the selection panel appreciated the thoughtfulness of your submission and the artistry in your materials, your work was not selected for this exhibition.

We appreciate the time and care you put into your application, and we hope you'll consider applying for future AHCMC opportunities. We received a strong and wide-ranging pool of submissions this year, and our selection panel had a genuinely difficult task narrowing the field. 

If you are on our email list we will keep you informed of upcoming calls for art within the gallery and AHCMC’s other programs. Thank you again for sharing your work with us. We wish you continued success in your artistic practice.

Kind regards,

Stéphane

Stéphane Calvin Rosenberg

Public Art Program Assistant

Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County

Bar Harbor blues

This is what it looks like when your return flight is delayed over and over again...

Schoodic Point

Watercoloring on Schoodic Point, near Winter Harbor,  Maine...

Jones Pond

Alida swimming in Jones Pond, near Gouldsboro, Maine...

Granite Garden Gallery

This very special outdoor place could easily be one the top 10 spots in all of Maine to wonder about! Hundreds and hundreds of hand-made stone sculptures in an immensely beautiful setting make it an outdoor delight as one wonders around the many ponds in the quarry. If you're lucky, you'll run into the sculptors.

Of course I loved this dolmen...

Founded by artist Jesse Salisbury and featuring the Obadiah Buell Sculpture Studio, as an artist myself, I was seduced immediately! Also, the ancient Pict in me was reawakened by all the standing stones.

Gouldsboro Bay

View from the property...

Many countries in one

Super pumped to announce that after the Montgomery College King Street Gallery  declind my proposal, ARTSpiration in Frederick,  MD has picked up the show!

Here is the link for new artists to apply - all preselected artists are already in the show, but as this new venue is sooo much bigger, we can select some more:

 https://opportunities.wearecreativewest.org/opportunity/17765/CAFE 

Ebb Tide Gallery in Gig Harbor

I'm in Gig Harbor visiting the city, as I am considering doing some art business around this area.  This is easily one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Stopped by some galleries as part of the reconnaissance for the future, and walked into Ebb Tide Gallery, a small but impressive cooperative art gallery located right on the center spot of Gig Harbor. 

Like many small cooperatives that I've seen all over the US, there's a lot of work jammed into the space, but this is understandable and as many of you know, I'm a fan of salon style hanging whenever the situation calls for it!

Cooperative membership galleries such as this one are the front line heroes of the art world, and this gallery boasts an impressive array of artists!

Cooperative galleries, which are usually owned by a group of artists who share the expenses (and sometimes duties) of running the gallery are very special galleries. They also have to sell artwork in order to pay bills. Artists usually pay a monthly fee or a small commission on sales and keep the bulk of their sales.

Back to my visit.

I particularly liked the work of visiting artist Jeanne Anderson, especially a gorgeous watercolor of a waterfall.

Also liked the fine art woodwork of Dale McDaniels, whose intelligent pieces once again showcase why just because it's wood it doesn't have to be relegated or labeled "craft." 

Gorgeous photographs by Wendy Beeghley too!

If you're in Gig Harbor, this is a must visit place!

Mark Jenkins on Anastasia Travieso-Diaz

Mark Jenkins reviews several local shows over at DisCerning Eye - I especially liked the words about Anastasia Travieso-Diaz:

BUILT UP AND THEN PARTLY EXCAVATED, Anastasia Travieso-Diaz’s paintings are literally constructions. So it’s fitting that the local artist’s abstract canvases often suggest grand buildings or naturally occurring structures such as caverns and grottoes. The engrossing pictures in her Studio Russo show, “Disintegration Regeneration,” were made intuitively, and not named initially. But they came to bear such suitably evocative titles as “The Architecture of Collapse” and “Unraveling the Structure.”

Read the review here.

"Immigrant Artists" declined by Montgomery College

Bummer to report that Montgomery College's selection panel has declined my proposal for a show focusing on immigrant artists.

Dear Lenny,

I am writing with the results from our recent call for proposals for the King Street Gallery at Montgomery College. I am sorry, but we did not select your proposal. Yours was among many worthy proposals for very few exhibition slots, and the choices were difficult. Thank you for your proposal and thank you as well for your patience as we have completed this review. We very much appreciate your efforts in making your proposal and we hope that you will consider applying for future opportunities here at MC.

Sincerely,

Kevin Bowman

Professor

Visual and Performing Arts Department

Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus

930 King Street

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Will begin to look for new venues...

Backrooms

Earlier today, Anderson, together with his friend Aarad, and I sat through Backrooms, which is described as "2026 American science fiction psychological horror film directed and co-scored by Kane Parsons and written by Will Soodik."

There was a lot of heavy-handed influence from the Blair Witch Project in the film, which is immensely challenging to understand and make sense of, and has a somewhat silly (yep - that's the correct adjective) turn towards the end.

About the most memorable part of the film is the presence of a young actress named Lukita Maxwell, who in the very short period of time that she's actually on screen makes her presence really felt by the audience... I predict a lot of great things for this lady.

How to price and frame your artwork

 This is TODAY Wednesday! You’re invited!

Busboys and Poets ARTOMATIC Happy Hour

"Join us for an inspiring evening of art, conversation, and connection at Busboys and Poets! This special happy hour will feature Lenny Campello discussing “How to price and frame your work”. Referred to as “One of the most interesting people of Washington, DC” by The Washington City Paper, Lenny is one of the internet’s leading art bloggers and recently curated Women Artists of the DMV which spanned 19 venues and featured the work of over 700 female artists."

Event Details

Date: May 27, 2026

Time: 5:00pm EDT | Presentation

Venue: Busboys and Poets Takoma Park

Ann Alexander Murray at the Tephra ICA Festival

A couple of weekends ago I was at the Tephra ICA Arts Festival when I came across this very talented and hard working artist who was video walking the show and did this segment, which includes me.  See it here.

Ann Alexander Murray writes her own piano compositions, which you should be able to find on any streaming platform of choice. Her album is called Shadows and Reflections by Ann Alexander. 

She wrote, produced, recorded, mixed, and created all graphic materials, and took the pictures for the cover herself.

Here are some direct links from her website to different platforms if you want to check that out, which I most highly recommend!

https://annalexanderstudios.com/Music.html.

How to price and frame your work

 This coming Wednesday! You’re invited!

Busboys and Poets ARTOMATIC Happy Hour

"Join us for an inspiring evening of art, conversation, and connection at Busboys and Poets! This special happy hour will feature Lenny Campello discussing “How to price and frame your work”. Referred to as “One of the most interesting people of Washington, DC” by The Washington City Paper, Lenny is one of the internet’s leading art bloggers and recently curated Women Artists of the DMV which spanned 19 venues and featured the work of over 700 female artists."

Event Details

Date: May 27, 2026

Time: 5:00pm EDT | Presentation

Venue: Busboys and Poets Takoma Park

Love this...

One of the best bucket filling experiences that an artist can gather,  is when young people really get drawn in (see how I worked that pun in) by your artwork. 

Yesterday, this teen spent several minutes talking to me at the Tephra ICA Festival about how much she loved my work... and in doing so, she filled my bucket.

After I met Ana Mendieta

Read it here:

 https://dcartnews.blogspot.com/2003/10/only-year-to-go-for-exhibition-i-wish.html

Bogey

When I first arrived in Seattle around September of 1977, after driving cross-country from Newport,  Rhode Island,  I immediately fell in love with the city.

Seattle was sooo different from my childhood Brooklyn,  and so artsy, and green, and wet, and everyone and everything was so beautiful. 

My favorite movie of all time is Casablanca.

And in Seattle there was a bar at the time, that played Casablanca 24 hours a day!

I can't recall the name, but it was on Lake City Way, and the movie played 24 hours a day... I think! Or at least whenever the bar was open, on a screen behind the bar.

Casablanca geeks lived it, and there were always nerds mouthing out all the lines from the movie.

Somehow at some point I showed the barmeisters a drawing of Humphrey Bogart that I had done as an art assignment at the UW.

They loved it!

There was at the same time a poster and records shop in the U-District called Innervisions or something like that, and the Casablancans from the bar knew them.

Result? A poster from this drawing was made ... hundreds of them, and given out as prizes to the the Casablancanerds as they won the various contests centered around the film that the bar used to run all the time.

Here's the original drawing, which I re-found while looking for something else.

Bogey
1978 pen and ink drawing by
Florencio Lennox Campello 

Sleep is the cousin of death

Once again revisiting this theme of mine, based on a poem that I wrote in the late 1970s on a barf bag while flying from Chicago to Seattle. 

Sleep is the cousin of death 
Mixed media painting on unfired Bisque 
12 inches in diameter 

Immigrant artists

Campello nutjob evidence will follow...

Last year, when I organized and curated the huge “Women Artists of the DMV” survey show, which eventually ended being exhibited across the DMV in 19 different venues (maybe a 20th coming), I said to myself something along the lines of “never again am I going to curate such a large show…”

Cough… cough…

In the nearly 40 years that I have been around the capital region, I have been lucky enough to meet, curate, and know hundreds of area artists who (like me) are immigrants to this great nation.

And thus, the germ of the idea of organizing a fine arts show of 30 or so artists from all over the world to showcase how art can serve not only to preserve one’s own cultural identity, but also paradoxically to tie us together as one… has now emerged.

I know... I know...

Anna Bogh (Russia)
Between States. Gouache on paper, 11 × 10 in 

In this show, which I would like to hang in an overcrowded, eye-watering salon style, that will overwhelm your senses, rather than a minimalistic-hung show, you will see art by artists from Russia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Holland, Lebanon, Venezuela, England, Canada, Japan, Philippines, Germany, and many other countries. 

Anastasia Travieso-Diaz (Russia)
Roots Beyond Border. Acrylic. 24x24 in. 2026

You will also see these artists challenging you to see their art in the context of the art, rather than the national origin of the artist, while also challenging you to see it also from the exact opposite perspective.

Lusmerlin (Dominican Republic)
Consecration of Stardust. 48x36. Pastel & Acrylic on Wood. 2025

I am initially proposing this show in response to the recent Call for Exhibition Proposals by the King Street Gallery of the MontgomeryCollege Department of Visual and Performing Arts, Takoma Park/Silver SpringCampus.  

Maria A. Brito (Venezuela)
Displaced Homes. 12x12x2.5 in. Mixed media on wood panel
(wooden stamp blocks, cardstock paper, fabric, head pins, acrylic paint, ink), 2024

In the event that they decline, I will try to offer it to any of the other great art venues in our area.

Katarina Öberg (Sweden)
A Year of Silence. 30x34 in. Blackwork, 2025

Can you “feel” where this is heading? Any art venues out there feel it?

Leonor Alvim Brazão (Portugal)
Diversity, 24x48. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 2012/2026

Here are the initial list of artists whom I am proposing:

1. Akemi Maegawa (Japan)

2. Anastasia Travieso-Diaz (Russia)

3. AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez (Venezuela)

4. Andreia Gliga (Romania)

5. Anna Bogh (Russia) 

6. Anna Demovidova (Russia)

7. Anne Cherubim (Canada)

8. Chawky Frenn (Lebanon)

9. Cheryl Jacob-Roeske (Sri Lanka)

10. Dora Patin (Hungary) 

11. Erwin Timmers (Holland)

11. Felisa Federman (Argentina)

12. Jodi Walsh (Canada)

13. Katarina Öberg (Sweden)

14. Kirsty Little (England)

15. Laura Ramirez Drain (Mexico)

16. Leonor Alvim Brazao (Portugal)

17. Liliane Blom (Norway)

18. Lusmerlin (Dominican Republic)

19. Maria A. Brito (Venezuela)

20. Naan Pocen (Nigeria)

21. Rachel Garcia-Palmer (Philippines)

22. Sheela Becton (India)

23. Sofia Gawer (Argentina)

24. Steve Wanna (Lebanon)

25. Tea Okropiridze (Georgia)

26. Tinam Valk (Holland)

Dora Patin's upcoming classes

If you read this blog consistently, then you know that I consider Dora Patin a prodigy.  And Dora has now added more evidence to support that statement by offering art classes and the feedback that I have been getting has been phenomenal!

Dora tells me that:

Over the past several weeks, I've been focusing on experimenting with drawing methods that are new to me. The drawing above is the latest result of that exploration. This process inspired me to create a new class that I'll be teaching at Compass Art Center. If you are striving to create realistic drawings, this class is for you.

Introducing: Drawing with Accuracy. In this class I teach the sight-size method working from a photo reference. Students will learn how to accurately measure and compare directly from a photo, allowing the same level of precision and realism. This is a strong starting point for training your eye to see correct angles, proportions and shapes and replicate them before moving onto value control.

I'm excited to offer this class and would love to see it come together with a great group. If you're interested, registration is now open. And I have a small favor to ask: if someone comes to mind who might like this class, I'd really appreciate you sharing it with them. Personal recommendations truly make a difference.

Click on the image for more info. 

There is more! Dora has a new session of her oil painting class running from May 14 - June 11... Thursdays, 5:30 - 8:30pm, 4 classes (3 hours each); All skill levels welcome with a Drop-in option available. Details here.

And then:

Drawing & Painting for Beginners is now on Saturdays (instead of Wednesdays). This class focuses on the essential building blocks of drawing, making it ideal for absolute beginners as well as anyone who wants to strengthen foundational skills.
 

Upcoming session:
May 9 - June 13

Saturdays 10am - 1pm
5 classes (3 hours each)
Drop-in option available