Cruisin'

My daughter Elise is one of the planet's top-of-the-food-chain elite travel agent to the stars and she's got us a great 3-day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico! You can reach her at venturesbyelise@gmail.com

Many Countries in One

Call for Artists for "Many Countries in One: Immigrant Artists" at the gorgeou ARTSpiration venue  in Frederick!

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:

 

Reading Road Studio celebrates 10th Anniversary!

READING ROAD STUDIO CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY.

AT PYRAMID ATLANTIC   August 29 – October 4, 2026

RUMINATIONS: Our Stories IN PAPER

As a contemporary perspective, this exhibition brings together many of the artists who have generously contributed their ideas and visual explorations to Reading Road Studio. Presented as a smaller companion papermaking atelier to Pyramid Atlantic’s studios, the exhibition celebrates the first decade of creative exchange and experimentation, and affiliated archives.

Founded in 2016 by Helen Frederick in Silver Spring, Maryland, Reading Road Studio was created to offer artists an intimate, collaborative environment for exploring works in and on paper, artist books, installation, and critical conversations around visual and cultural literacy.

The studio emphasizes hand papermaking as an art form and provides opportunities for artists interested in papermaking as a translucent material, in combination with print media and mixed media, and as a painterly or dimensional element within their work. At Reading Road Studio, dialogue about contemporary art remains deeply connected to past traditions while continually inventing new concepts of materiality.

Featuring paper-cast life-size gold leaf doors, a translucent endangered species installation, printed Chinese papers, exquisite custom paper drawings, large scale pulp paintings, innovative artist books, and more, Ruminations: Our Stories IN PAPER celebrates the first decade of Reading Road Studio and the possibilities of hand  papermaking.

Featured artists are: William B. Adair, Maria Barbosa, Oletha DeVane/Chris Kojzar, Elsabe Johnson Dixon, Cheryl Edwards, Susan Firestone, Helen Frederick, Emily Fussner, Ellen Hill, Lisa Hill, Mia Holtan, Rick Hungerford, Aziza Gibson Hunter, Fleming Jeffries, David Joo, Jen Lillis, June Linowitz, Randi Reiss- McCormack, Andrea McCluskey, Chris Mona,Tom Nakashima, Tongji Philip Qian, Alice Quatrochi, Preston Sampson, Joyce J. Scott, Lisa Sheirer, Elzbieta Sikorska, Buzz Spector, Lynn Sures, and Yuriko Yamaguchi.  

Reading Road Studio, 8707 Reading Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Goodbye Dolly

Breaks my heart to note that Dolly Parton died today at age 80.  She was one of a kind in so many wonderful ways!

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