Artomatic and I

Artomatic and I are pleased to announce "F. Lennox Campello and Artomatic," a group show curated by yours truly and which will have an opening reception at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery next Wed. February 13 from 6-8 PM. Its is free and open to the public. I will give you some more thoughts on this show later, but please pencil it in.

Location:

Pepco Edison Place Gallery

702 8^th Street, NW

Washington DC 20068

Reception Date:

Wednesday, February 13^th, 6 - 8 pm

Exhibition Dates:

Friday, February 8 - Friday, February 22.

Gallery Hours:

Tuesday-Friday, Noon to 4 p.m.

www.facebook.com/artomatic

www.twitter.com/artomatic
www.linkedin.com/company/artomatic

www.artomatic.org 

The invited past Artomatic artists include:

Bijan Machen

Carrie Hughes

Christ Lyngas

Cory Oberndorfer

David Camero

David D'Orio

Deborah Lash

Devin Symons

Erwin Timmers

John Grunwell

Joseph Merchlinsky

Kathryn Trillas

Larry Jones

Lindsey Routt

M. Helene Baribeau

Magda Johanna Gomez

Michael Janis

Monica de Gastyne

Nancy Donnelly

Natalia

Natalie Camou

Nicolas Zimbro

Paul Farley

Philip Yabut

Rania Hassan

Ric Garcia

Roger James

Russ McIntosh

Sardar

Sasha Sinclair

Sean Hennessey

Shanthi Chandrasekar

Stephanie Booth Tim Tate Zofie Lang

Finally heard on Univision

A while back in November I noted that newspapers from the Dominican Republic were all abuzz about my peeps Cuban-American Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) allegedly short-changing some young Dominican hookers for their services while on vacation at the Dominican Republic (the DR) and how it was curiously off Univision's radars and clearly off the mainstream US press.

Prostitution is apparently legal in the DR, but short-changing a sex worker is never a smart thing to do -- not that this former sailor would know anything about that, but I've heard lots of sea stories about hookers, cheap sailors and banana knives in the PI; I'm just sayin'

Well... Univision has caught up with a vengeance and is usually 2-3 days ahead of English-language television news and at least a week ahead of the WaPo and NYT, and 24-48 hours ahead of the Miami Herald, on the reporting on Menendez's relationship with major donor Dr. Salomon Melgen. And they're deep in the weeds in the inside the DR reporting and digging a lot of evidence which is curiously being ignored (or under-reported at least) by the US mainstream press - this (of course) fuels the vast right wing conspiracy claim's that the "leftist" US mainstream press treats Democrats to a different standard than Republicans (remember Herman Cain?).

The Dominican doctor (now lives in Florida), who in 2012 poured large amounts of money into Menendez’s reelection efforts, was allegedly rewarded when Menendez then became an advocate for a very large, gargantuan Dominican Republic contract for providing X-Ray services for port security by ICSSI, one of Melgen’s companies. And Menendez also used Melgen’s private plane several times to fly to the DR and never reported it, thus breaking Senate ethics rules. Last week he cut Melgen a check for $58,500 to pay for the trips, noting (in a disturbingly bad choice of words) that he had forgotten to do so and the payment had fallen through the cracks... heh, heh...

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/06/3220708/watchdogs-sen-bob-menendezs-ties.html#storylink=cpy

About 2-3 weeks ago Univision reported that many other US politicians, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, had been guests, and stayed in Dr. Melgen's luxury villa in the DR.

Bill, Bill, Bill... what are we going to do about you...

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/06/3220708/watchdogs-sen-bob-menendezs-ties.html#storylink=cpy

For a good cause

From Strathmore - I plan to donate a piece and hope that you do as well:

Dear Artist,

Drawing for Art has been one of Strathmore’s most popular traditions for 20 years. Visitors are able to peruse and examine donated artwork on exhibit, and the show culminates in a buyer’s reception and raffle where each person who purchases a $100 ticket goes home with a new piece. Through a process of picking numbers, ticket buyers are randomly drawn from a hat. In that order, they choose the work of art they would like to take home—which they get to do that same night! 

We are asking for your support for this successful fundraiser, whose proceeds benefit our fine arts programming through a donation of your artwork. Artists who donate will be honored publicly at our opening Thank You reception on April 23, 2013 from 6 to 8 PM; have their names printed in the Drawing for Art program; and have their artwork featured online, so that enthusiastic collectors can view the exhibit and choose their favorites to display in their homes. You will also receive contact information for the lucky winner who goes home with your artwork, and vice versa, so that he or she can learn more about your work and upcoming exhibits. In addition, artists who donate a piece will receive a complimentary one-year Strathmore Stars membership.

Professionals, students, collectors both young and old, and patrons of the arts all come together for this one night. The tickets they purchase, and the proceeds we receive from Drawing for Art, all go to support Strathmore’s visual arts exhibitions and Mansion programming. The atmosphere on the night of the drawing is electric, and the audience alive with the anticipation of actually owning an artwork of note. Traditionally, there have been more than 100 pieces donated and a matching number of guests—all art enthusiasts.

Drawing for Art is on view at the Mansion from April 18 to April 28, 2013. If you would like to donate work, please complete the form below and return it to Strathmore by Thursday, February 28. Donated artwork must ready to hang including appropriate hardware and wire, and valued at $100 or more.  The raffle and closing reception will take place on Sunday, April 28, from 6 to 9PM. For more information, please contact the Visual Arts department at (301) 581-5125 or Exhibits@Strathmore.org.

We hope you will be willing to donate your work to this signature Strathmore exhibition. Your involvement in this exhibition ensures the future of high quality of programming in the Mansion.

Sincerely,

Harriet Lesser

Curator

Sam Younes

Visual Arts Assistant

The Mansion at Strathmore

10701 Rockville Pike

North Bethesda, MD 20852

Artists can submit only one (1) work of art. You will find two forms provided below—one is for you to fill out ahead of time, and the other is to be attached to the back lower right corner of your art. (If you are bringing in sculpture, please attach it to the base.) The first form must be returned to Strathmore by Thursday, February 28, 2013 at close of business. (Strathmore offices are open from 10AM to 4PM.)

Your donation must be an original artwork—no photocopies or posters. Artwork must be exhibition-ready, complete with all the necessary framing and hardware to hang in the gallery. (If you are unsure of what constitutes “adequate hardware,” please ask.) Strathmore reserves the right to refuse any artwork.

We understand that we’re asking you to donate a valuable work of art, and we hope that you will consider donating a piece that best represents you as an artist and that can introduce new audiences to your work.

Thank you!

Drawing for Art FORM #1 (to be returned to Strathmore by Thursday, February 28, 2013)

Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone ________________________________________

Cell Phone ________________________________________

Title ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Medium _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Year Created ____________________________________ ________

Value _______________________________________

□ I do not want my artwork to be displayed online. (If left unchecked, artwork will appear on website.)

□ I do not want Strathmore to share my contact information with buyers.

Drawing for Art FORM #2 (to be attached to the back lower right corner of the art)

Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone ________________________________________

Cell Phone ________________________________________

Title ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Medium _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Year Created ____________________________________ ________  

Value _______________________________________

New boss at the Torpedo Factory

The Board of the Torpedo Factory Art Center (TFAC) has hired Eric Wallner as its Chief Executive Officer. Wallner will manage TFAC operations, assist the Board with strategic planning, and expand its reach locally, nationally, and internationally.

“The Torpedo Factory Art Center Board is very fortunate that Eric Wallner is bringing his talents and experience to Alexandria at this crucial time,” said TFAC Board President Rosemary Feit Covey. “We are working to expand upon our strengths as a creative force. Every day we offer the public rare opportunities to visit studios of internationally recognized artists, talk about the creative process, and purchase their work. We are excited to push our limits and keep growing as a vital part of Alexandria's waterfront.”

Wallner most recently served as the Creative Economy Specialist for the City of Ventura, CA, where he focused on attracting and retaining creative businesses. Previously, he was Cultural Affairs Supervisor for Ventura, managing the city’s cultural funding program, technical assistance for artists and arts organizations, and many special events. He has also worked as Program Director at the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia and has experience with several metropolitan DC organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the Urban Institute, and OPERA America. He holds a degree in art from Brown University and a master’s degree in arts policy from Ohio State University.

“I’m delighted to be working with the artists and Board of the Torpedo Factory Art Center” said Wallner. “I know how much the Torpedo Factory means to Alexandria as an economic generator and community resource. This is an outstanding opportunity at a great time in TFAC’s history.”

Senator Durbin is trying to tax the Internet (again)

For many years, large national retailers, big business and many hungry state tax collectors have hoped for new Internet sales tax collection policy. They want Congress to pass a federal law that would allow tax agents from one state to enforce their sales tax laws on retailers based in other states, even when a business is based thousands of miles away. Nearly everyone that I know opposes this misguided idea that goes against everything that the Internet stands for, and I (like millions of others worldwide) believe that small businesses selling via the Internet should only be subject to the tax laws of the states in which they operate.

The news from Capitol Hill is clear and just like the economy... it's grim.

Internet sales tax supporters are convinced that 2013 is their year, and they are determined to pass a new Internet sales tax bill when our out of control "tax everything" Congress (that refuses to face real financial austerity) tackles "corporate tax reform" in spite of the fact that "corporate" and the millions of small American businesses that operate on the Internet seldom share the same anything.

In December, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the misguided idiot who smells more and more sources to suck money out of the economy and is the sponsor of Internet sales tax legislation, publicly announced that he had a commitment from the Senate Finance Committee to "take it up early next year and move it to the floor."  Why Durbin wants to lead an effort to bleed more and more taxes is something between himself and his big money donors...

Your opinion matters. If you oppose giving state tax collectors new powers to impose and enforce out-of-state sales tax burdens on small businesses that sell via the Internet, now is the time to make your voice heard.

This is not a Republican or Democrat issue - but an issue that deals with the freedom of the worldwide web and the never-ending appetite for some in Congress to try to tax any and everything that moves.

Take the time to email, call or write to your two Senators and your Congress person... feel free to use, edit and adapt the letter below, but DO SOMETHING!

 

Dear Member of Congress,

As your constituent and one of the millions of Americans concerned with this issue, I'm asking you not to impose any new sales tax laws on small businesses operating on the Internet.

In the 1992 Quill Decision, the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to allow state tax enforcement authorities to impose their sales tax laws on small businesses located in other states.  However, an effort backed by giant retailers and a group of state legislators is trying to push Congress to overturn the Quill Decision and establish an unfair tax regime that would force small online businesses to be subject to sales tax laws all across the country, regardless of where the small business is actually located.

Millions of American small business retailers, would be directly impacted by any new Internet sales tax system. It would increase the cost of doing business and shopping on-line, which would hurt sellers and buyers alike. I believe that small businesses selling via the Internet should only be subject to the tax laws of the states in which they operate. Instead of imposing new tax burdens on small businesses, I would encourage Congress to do EXACTLY the opposite and look at new policies that encourage small business growth and development on the Internet, which in turn will spur job growth and increase consumer choice.

As your constituent, I would ask that you please oppose any efforts to impose new tax burdens on small businesses operating on the Internet.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
YOUR NAME

Gateway Arts District Artists and Studios Tour

Open Studio Tour
Saturday, May 11, 2013

Call to Gateway Arts District Artists and Studios!  Showcase your work during the 9th Annual Gateway CDC Open Studio Tour on May 11, 2013! 

The tour hours are from 12pm-5pm.

Click Here for Application Details!

 

Application Deadline March 17, 2013 @ 5pm

Ai Weiwei: Wonderful dissident, terrible artist

My sense, at least on the weekday when I visited the show, was that visitors welcomed the opportunity to focus on the hardships of life in contemporary China as well as on Ai's extraordinary courage as a social activist. Although some museumgoers may be surprised to discover that Ai often favors a chaste minimalist style as he spotlights some of the horrors visited upon the Chinese people by the country's authoritarian regime, others will take the style in stride, regarding it as a generic documentary approach perfectly appropriate for Ai's torn-from-the-headlines subject matter.

Read Jed Perl's review in the New Republic here.

East of the River Distinguished Artist Award

ARCH Development Corporation (ADC) announces the second annual East of the River Distinguished Artist Award (EotRDAA); an award with a $5,000 prize presented by Honfleur Gallery with funding from the Gautier family. This annual award recognizes an artist living East of the Anacostia River for creative excellence as well as for having had a significant impact on the cultural landscape of Washington, DC.

The main purpose of this award is to celebrate the achievements and contributions of East of the River (EotR) artists who, individually and collectively, have enriched the arts in Washington, DC. In recognizing them, it will help document the EotR cultural history and continue the long tradition of outstanding artists. The first annual EotRDAA was awarded to artist BK ADAMS*I AM ART last summer.

To be eligible, applicants must be artists who currently live in neighborhoods East of the Anacostia River and whose careers have made a substantial impact on the arts in Washington, DC. Individuals working in all disciplines-including dance, film, literature, music, theater, photography and visual arts-will be considered.

ADC is proud to formally establish this award as an annual prize as it helps to fulfill the organization's effort toward creating a home for the creative economy, artists, arts and cultural organizations in Ward 8. The establishment of this award carries on the mission of revitalization and sustainable economic development in Historic Anacostia that ADC has pledged since 1991. A few of ADC's current projects include: Honfleur Gallery, The Gallery at Vivid Solutions, The HIVE, The HIVE 2.0, and the Storefront Improvement Program.

Artists will be assessed by an esteemed panel of judges that will be announced after the deadline of submissions. The panel will then recommend a selection of candidates to ADC's board of directors, who in turn will choose the final artist. The award ceremony will take place July 25, 2013.

Applications are due by June 7, 2013. The East of the River Distinguished Artist Award will include an awards ceremony currently planned for July 25, 2013. The artist must be present to accept this award. Interested parties can find complete information about the contest and learn how to apply online at www.archdevelopment.org and www.honfleurgallery.com or in person at ADC project locations.