The curious case of the Smithsonian Institution and Anne Helmreich failing at its most basic task

Time to open up... my apologies in advance for the cursing - you can retire the Navy out of a former sailor, but you can never retire the sailor out of a sailor.

In the spirit of open transparency: As most of you know by now, I am now almost finished organizing a monster of a survey show for 2025 with the aim of not only exhibiting a curated, 15-venue exhibition to survey a snap shot of women artists working in the DMV region, and catalog them digitally, but to also leave a digital footprint of their 2025 presence for the future.

That show is "Women Artists of the DMV." More than 400 artists in (so far) 15 major art venues across the capital region!

As part of that process, starting in December 2024 I wrote multiple emails and mailed multiple old-school snail mail letters to offer the Smithsonian Institution the opportunity to archive the exhibition materials as part of a survey snapshot in time for DMV area female artists - at no acquisition cost - FREE!

The materials that I offered to the SI would consist of a flash drive which would contain a Powerpoint presentation documenting all curated female artists and one image per artist - I also made it clear that any digital format could be used as needed/recommended by then.  Additionally, in view of how fast technology ages, I would also include (at no cost) a digital screen device (a digital frame) to “play” the digital presentation as needed in the future.

Throughout January, February, March, and April I was ignored, and in May I blasted a: "Did you get my email?" email to every email address that I could find online from them.

On May 9, 2025, I got this response:

From: AAACollectionReview - AAACollectionReview@si.edu 

To: lenny@lennycampello.com

Copy: Helmrich, Anne L.

Dear Lenny Campello,

    Thank you for your interest in the Archives of American Art. Upon reviewing your inquiry, the Archives is not the proper home for the proposed collection. This decision reflects the ongoing needs, priorities, scope, and resources of the Archives rather than the value of the collection.

We are excited to see the exhibition when it comes together. A more suitable repository for a local survey show and a PowerPoint documenting the artists who submitted might be the National Museum of Women in the Arts, though each institution has their own priorities and archival acquisition strategy. Such records of exhibition submissions can be challenging for archival accessions, particularly regarding rights issues around images as well as preservation concerns around born-digital materials.

Thank you again for reaching out to the Archives of American Art —

The curatorial team

Archives of American Art | Smithsonian Institution

www.aaa.si.edu| blog.aaa.si.edu

 

DC Headquarters

FedEx/UPS/DHL: 750 9th Street NW | Suite 2200 |Washington, DC 20001

USPS: PO Box 37012, Victor Building 2200 | MRC 937 |Washington, DC  20013-7012

New York Office
300 Park Avenue South | Suite 300 | New York, NY 10010

Join us on Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Pinterest |Instagram

Subscribe to our podcast. 

My translation: You need to segregate an exhibition of female artists with an institution that focuses only on female art, because female artists are not the same as "American artists."

Am I the only one who sees how fucked up this response is?

Clearly they have no idea who they're fucking with, because I suspect that the SI knows zip fuck about the artists - male or female - in their own backyard.

I've written to my Senators (Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks), and also to all the DMV area representatives... so far they've also ignored me. Have not yet written (but will) to Virginia senators Tim Kane and Mark Warner.

And thus: I need your help.

If you (like me) believe that part of the Smithsonian Institution Archives of American Art mandate and job is to fucking archive American art, and that the digital footprint of 400+ female artists working in the Greater Washington, DC is American art that needs to be archived... then PLEASE help me raise a fire in the tuchis of Anne Helmreich, Chris Van Hollen, Angela Alsobrooks, Tim Kane, Mark Warner, and whoever the fuck is the "curatorial team" that wants art by female artists segregated to a museum for just women artists.

Write to them... if they are on your "contacts" list in your cell phone, call them.

Art is art, regardless of the shape of the reproductive part shape of the artist.

Please help... all that I am asking the SI to do is to accept a free gift of a digital archive and keep it for future generations to know what female artists were doing around the DMV in 2025.

Pearl Ping Shen: This lady can paint!

One of the great benefits of curating an art exhibition of the size and magnitude of the Women Artists of the DMV urvey show which I am currently curating.

As part of reviewing hundreds of websites, Instagram feeds, etc., I came across the work of Pearl Ping Shen.

This lady can paint with a gusto and magnitude that is spectacular to behold.  The work below will be showcase at the American University Katzen Arts Center building as part of the multi-venue survey show.

Late Autumn (Large) Watercolor on rice paper 6.8' x 5'

She tells me about this spectacular work:

This self-portrait, crafted for my graduate school years, encapsulates a moment of personal journey as I rode my bicycle to school each day. Executed with Chinese inks and watercolors on rice paper using the detailed Gongbi technique, the artwork reflects a harmonious blend of cultural tradition and personal narrative. The intricate lines and delicate shading capture the rhythm of my daily commute, symbolizing resilience and introspection.

The figure, poised on a folding bike with a basket of art supplies and adorned with dried bulrush, my favorite decorative motif, merges practicality with artistic expression. The patterned skirt and layered clothing evoke the cool air, while the earphones signaling my enjoyment of music add a layer of personal freedom. The bicycle, equipped with tools of my trade, represents not only the balance between my studies and creative identity but also a powerful symbol of independence. Through this piece, I explore themes of transition and self-discovery, rooting my experience in the meticulous beauty of Chinese ink painting to honor my heritage and mark a significant chapter of becoming.

My prediction:  Pearl Ping Shen will be one of the break-out stars of this show - do not miss a visit to the Katzen Arts Center to behold the spectacular presence of this work!

Women Artists of the DMV: Jeanie Sausele-Knodt at Joan Hisaoka Healings Arts Gallery

The amazing women artists listed below will be all exhibiting at the Joan Hisaoka Gallery for the Healing Arts in Washington DC as part of the Women Artists of the DMV survey show - now officially the largest ever curated fine arts show ever staged in the USA!

Banner Marilyn

Calisti Denise

Dorantes Marcela Olivia

Fakes LoGerfo Randa

Ferrier Jodi

Fussner Emily

Goodman Judy

Greenberg Judith

Herman Michelle

Hitchcock Sara

Lee Jun

Lowenstein Shelley

Marcus Jai

Olivos Claudia

Perlman Gura Amy

Prinsloo Yolanda

Riccio Marie

Rothschild Gayle

Sausele-Knodt Jeanie

Schmitz Karen

Schwartzberg  Deanna

Seifert Jan

Sigethy Alison

Sikorska Elzbieta

Slottow Joan

VanderMolen Neway Cheryl

All together there are over 400 artists in 15 venues!

Ceramic Wall Mount, White

12" x 14.5" x 3"  ceramic with encaustic, 2025

photo credit: Gregory Staley

Delna Dastur at Women Artists of the DMV - Katzen

Delna Dastur grew up in Bombay, India. She notest that "life there is loud and crowded, teeming with humanity filling the air with the sound and aroma of constant flux. These memories are embedded in my subconscious and infiltrate my work through a palette that reflects bright, intense color and through patterns decorating the surfaces. The compositions are dense, brimming to the edge with imagery reflecting my thoughts and memories.

My body of work reflects my continuing investigation into the fraught relationship between Humanity and Nature. Some of the imaginary landscapes I create are abstracted from reality through the portrayal of urban consumption of Nature. Others reflect Nature’s victory in the face of adversity. Some of the paintings are filled with lightness and optimism; others are somber and pensive. I want the work to reflect both the seeds of hope and wonder combined with the irreversible damage caused by the brutal and thoughtless destruction of land.

I use materials and ideas to cross pollinate, juxta positioning the old with the new, the East and the West. The work starts with materials from my Indian roots, printing with primitive Indian woodblocks and using handmade Indian paper for collage. The initial layers, embedded within gels and pastes, are covered by acrylic drips and paint connecting them irrevocably. I do not start with any preconceived ideas. The work grows organically, and I let my instincts direct me to its conclusion. I incorporate varied ideas and tools in my painting and drawings, continually reinforcing the overarching theme of conflict between mankind and nature."

The below work will be at the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington, DC, one of the 15 venues hosting the Women Artists of the DMV show.

The Awesome Foundation does not think that Women Artists of the DMV is awesome enough...

My  application to help one of the 15 venues subsidize the costs of staging the show - will apply again!:

Hello June grant applicants!

Thanks for your recent application to the Awesome Foundation DC for all your amazing projects.

Unfortunately, you were not selected for this month's grant. We had many applicants with exciting ideas and inspiring projects that were heavily debated, and it was a tough decision, but the trustees ultimately chose the Karaoke in the Cemetery project as this month's award.

Please feel free to apply again in the future -- we award grants every month -- and best of luck in the future!

Graham & Amanda

-- 

Awesome Foundation DC  //  AwesomeDC.org

Fast-forwarding awesomeness in DC through $1,000 monthly micro-grants with more than $150,000 given locally over the past decade!

Art Scam Alert!

Beware of this asswipe trying to scam artists!

From: Marc Boynton -- marcboyntonn@gmail.com

Your products! It's amazing how unique they are. So I was wondering if you ship to Switzerland and accept credit cards. You contact my shipper, who handles all of my shipments, as I live in a rural area, and they help in picking up items from your location.

Marc Boynton.

Schroeder Cherry at ACO Tomorrow!

Master sculptor and puppeteer Schroeder Cherry will be presenting tomorrow at the Art Clinic Online at 1030 AM, hosted by yours truly!

Schroeder’s work is inspired by music, travel, literature, and contemporary and historic events, both real and imagined. His works are mixed media, using wood, paint, and found objects. Join us for this free online event! 

https://www.jjbruns.com/aco-artist-discussion-with-schroeder-cherry/