Introducing WPA's New Director Travis Chamberlain

WPA's Board of Directors announced a few days ago the appointment of Travis Chamberlain as its next Director. Chamberlain—a curator and director with more than 20 years of experience in museum, non-profit, and for-profit contemporary arts spaces in New York City—will begin his new role on September 1, 2023, becoming the 12th Director of one of the most influential and impactful contemporary arts organizations in the region and the U.S. 

Now in its 48th year, WPA is a trailblazer among the region’s contemporary art institutions, with a dedicated project space, bookstore, and gallery. WPA's mission supports the development of experimental projects that build community through collaborations between artists and audiences, with an emphasis on dialogue and advocacy. Artists are invited to curate and organize all of WPA's programming as an extension of their own intellectual research, and their resulting projects may assume a variety of forms including exhibitions, publications, performances, workshops, symposia, community dinners, and more.

"We feel very fortunate to welcome Travis Chamberlain as the next Director of Washington Project for the Arts,” said Board of Directors Co-Chairs Ashley Givens, Ph.D. and Jocelyn Sigue. “His decades-long commitment to community organizing through art and his extensive experience as a curator, producer, and institutional leader working at a local, national, and international level will be a tremendous asset to WPA and the greater region.”

Chamberlain assumes the role as WPA’s principal executive leader after five years as Executive Director at Queer|Art, a community-based nonprofit with a mission to connect and empower generations of LGBTQ+ artists throughout the nation. Prior to this position, Chamberlain spent ten years as a curator of performance at the New Museum in New York City. 

“Washington Project for the Arts is an incubator for new art that is unrestrained by discipline and anchored by ideas that seek to inspire positive change in the world,” Chamberlain notes. “The fact that WPA is in DC, so close to the Capitol and all that comes with it, only makes the questions we ask and the answers we explore together all the more resonant for artists and communities everywhere. I am excited to join the staff and board in furthering their commitment to facilitating collaborations between audiences and artists. Through our work together, WPA will also become a catalyst for nurturing an exchange of ideas and resource sharing among creative communities on a more global level, with DC as the hub from which all WPA collaborations will flow.”

Chamberlain’s appointment follows an extensive national search supported by Claire Huschle of Good Insight. His arrival coincides with WPA’s 2023–2024 Season Kick-Off and BBQ on Saturday, September 9. The event will introduce the roster of 2023–2024 Artist-Organizers and the projects they will be producing through collaboration with WPA, invited artists, and local communities. All are welcome to attend!

Anderson Campello at Tallyho

Anderson Campello at Tallyho

 

BlackRock Center for the Arts presents “Mandy Chesney is gaudy”

BEST.NEWS.RELEASE.EVER!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On view

15 July–10 Sep 202

Tues–Fri: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

Sat: Noon–4:00 PM

Sun: 10:30 AM–2:30 PM

Reception & Artist Talk: 18 Aug 2023, 6:00–8:00 PM

IN THE KAY GALLERY

Mandy Chesney is gaudy. Mandy Chesney is gaudy is Mandy Chesney’s first solo exhibition. Born spitting into the wind on the bow of a Mississippi riverboat casino, Chesney has known when to hold ‘em since day one. At age 4, she learned glitter magic from the Lion’s Creek Baptist Church organist, Mr. Robert—known far and wide for his lace drawers. At age 15, Chesney graduated from the Chattanooga Coiffer Academy and spent seven years and a month of Sundays as a beautician to the stars. Her talents have gloried the crowns of Marty Stuart, Pat Metheny, Janice Wendell Crouch, and William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys, among many others. 

But she also knows how to make a home. A master of the Domestic Arts, Chesney cannot be worn slap out. She will split a frog hair four ways, jerk a knot in your tail, and smell great while doing it.

From 2015 to 2017, Chesney graced the halls of the Mount Royal School of Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and she’s lived in Baltimore City ever since. 

Mandy Chesney is not a natural blonde. She’s a 42DD. 

Glitter is a particularly divisive material. Glitter is judged as frivolous in a way that is seen as too feminine, irredeemably low class, and possibly queer… It is loud. Glitter demands to be seen, it steals light. Glitter responds when you move your body, it has a conversation with your eyes. Glitter likes to party, it flirts with the viewer. It winks to something more behind the shine.

—Mandy Chesney, 2021, from an interview with Morgan Everhart for awomensthing.org

IG: @mandychesney

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Sheer genius!!!!

Guess who's in the Washington Post today?

A few days ago I expressed my frustration here about the waste of print space in the WaPo's only column dedicated to our area's art galleries. Today the WaPo published my letter on the subject online and then in print in their Saturday issue.

Read it here.

Arts Beat from 1999

Back from the past: When the WaPo used to have multiple columns looking at gallery shows:

In a group show at Georgetown's Fraser Gallery, "Salvador Dali: A Modern Homage to a Modern Icon," many works feature the artist himself, black eyes ablaze, famous waxed mustache in fine form. In synergy with his explosive, colorful works, Dali had a showman's personality and theatrical looks.

Read the piece by Nicole Lewis here.

Spatial thinking activities in PK-12 classrooms

Spatial thinking activities in PK-12 classrooms: Predictors of teachers’ activity use and a framework for classifying activity types is the new research paper where the Professah is a co-author.

Read it here.

Stolen Artwork

Reviving this post from 2018 in case someone has come across this stolen artwork. 

Click here.

Maryland Federation of Art at Gallery B

Gallery B is pleased to announce its July exhibition, “MFA @ Gallery B,” a juried exhibition of work by Maryland Federation of Art members consisting of 31 artists and 45 selections of works. The exhibit will be displayed from July 12 – August 6, 2023 at Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E, Bethesda, MD. Gallery hours for the show will be Wednesday – Saturday, 12-6pm, with a public reception on Saturday, August 5, 2023 from 3-5 PM.

Members of the Maryland Federation of Art residing in any of the states or territories

of the United States, Canada and Mexico were asked to enter the “MFA @ Gallery B” summer member show. The exhibition will include original 2D or 3D work.

 

Selected works by the following artists will be featured:

 

Nada Romanos Abizaid	McLean, VA
John T Allen	Silver Spring, MD
Kenneth L. Bachman	Bethesda, MD
Sally Canzoneri	Washington, DC
Pearl B Chang	Rockville, MD
Ray Conrad	Frederick, MD
David Diaz	Annapolis, MD
Jayne BentleyGaskins	Reston, VA
Georgi	Bethesda, MD
Deborah Kommalan	Pasadena, MD
Nichole Leavy	Pasadena, MD
Gordon LYON	Gaithersburg, MD
Steve Mabley	Washington, DC
Rod Mayer	North Potomac, MD
Cindy Mehr	Bel Air, MD
Marcella Morgese	Knoxville, MD
David Mosher	Gaithersburg, MD
Richard Niewerth	Severna Park, MD
Katharine K. Owens	Fredericksburg, VA
Angela E. Petruncio	Arnold, MD
Maria Stella Quezada	Rockville, MD
Roz Racanello	Chesapeake Beach, MD
Joh Ricci	Gettysburg, PA
Edward Shmunes	West Columbia, SC
robert steinem	colrain, MA
Paul Tambellini	Silver Spring, MD
Dave Vetal	Pasadena, MD
Elaine Weiner-Reed	Severn, MD
Robert Bruce Weston	Milton, DE
Megan Whitfield	Arnold, MD
Edward C Wlodarczak	North Potomac, MD

“MFA @ Gallery B” was juried by Margery Goldberg, wood artist, founder, and director of Zenith Gallery. “I make art because that is who I am. I’ve known this since I was 10 when I started sculpture classes at Rochester Memorial Art Gallery”. 

Goldberg majored in Art at George Washington University, and after college in 1973, she became the first female in America with a complete woodworking studio. For over 45 years, she’s been obsessed with the medium of wood.

 

Art Connection in the Capital Region is looking for original artwork

Art Connection in the Capital Region is looking for original artwork that is framed and ready to install. Whether you're an artist or collector, they are eager to discuss donation opportunities with you. 

Applications are ongoing, apply anytime. Complete the form at this link to submit artwork.

Exciting New Grant Opportunity from CAH

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ (CAH) FY24 Juried Exhibition Grant (JEG). 

CAH is seeking applications from DC artists who have made artwork that reflects on and engages with the past 60 years of social and political progress in the District and beyond. This exhibition will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and art works that were inspired by its promises.

The next and last workshop regarding this opportunity will be held on Monday, July 17, 2023, from 2–3 PM  EST. The workshop is free and online; for more information about the grant program, please visit https://dcarts.dc.gov/page/juried-exhibition-grant-program.

If you cannot attend Monday’s workshop, anyone can view recorded sessions on CAH’s website or register for the upcoming workshop by going to this link: https://dcarts.dc.gov/page/grant-writing-assistance.   

The application deadline for the FY24 JEG Grant is Friday, July 28, 2023, at 9 PM EST.

Stanley Bleifeld Memorial Grant

The Stanley Bleifeld Memorial Grant is a prize of $5,000 sponsored by the National Sculpture Society.

It is awarded annually to a sculptor who has demonstrated outstanding ability as a sculptor and who has created a body of work inspired by nature which includes works of sculpture in the round and in bas-relief.

The Bleifeld Grant is for a mature body of work; sculpture created in workshop or instructional settings should not be submitted.

Applicants cannot be elected members of the National Sculpture Society. All applicants must be citizens of or residents in the United States with a social security number.

The jury will consist of three persons, including at least two sculptors.

The grant will be awarded in June 2024.

Deadline: TBD

Submission Materials:

Images of 11 to 15 works of sculpture.  At least two of the works must be bas-reliefs.

Images must be in JPG (.jpg) format

A brief resume.

To Submit: Applications will be accepted starting July 2023 - Details here.

Art for Change Prize

Applications are now open for the free-to-enter Art for Change Prize, an international art initiative from M&C Saatchi Group and Saatchi Gallery, open to artists working in the first five years of their career.

This year’s prize asks artists to creatively respond to the theme Regeneration.

A total prize fund of £20,000 will be split between six winners, five to receive £2,000 and one overall winner to receive £10,000. Winning artists will also have the unique opportunity to exhibit their work at Saatchi Gallery in London.

As part of a shared mission in making art, culture, and creativity accessible to everyone, this prize is a celebration of emerging artistic talent. It will highlight and stimulate dialogue around visual arts as a medium for positive global and social change and give exposure to emerging artists worldwide. Full entry information here.

Deadline for entries Monday 17 July 2023.

MONOCHROME at MEG

MONOCHROME, a new fine art photography exhibition juried by Sandy Sugawara at MEG.

Multiple Exposures Gallery (MEG) is pleased to announce MONOCHROME, a new fine art photography exhibition juried by Sandy Sugawara.

On display at MEG through July 31, 2023, the exhibition features monochrome images from 13 artists: Soomin Ham, Tim Hyde, Clara Young Kim, Irina Lawton, Sandy LeBrun-Evans, Matt Leedham, Francine B. Livaditis, Maureen Minehan, Van Pulley, Sarah Hood Salomon, Alan Sislen, Tom Sliter and Fred Zafran. 

Of her selections, juror Sandy Sugawara said, “I chose images that asked questions or had a sense of mystery about them — perhaps because of the intriguing composition, enticing light or unexpected elements. I also selected images that had lovely graphic elements, taking full advantage of the monochrome theme. Many of the images lingered with me long after I submitted my selection, and that to me is the mark of a truly successful photograph.”

Exhibition hours: 11am-5pm daily

Location: Multiple Exposures Gallery | Torpedo Factory Art Center | #312

Wanna go to an artist's talk tomorrow?

The super-talented DMV artist Steve Wanna is giving an artist talk this Saturday, July 8 at 2PM in conjunction with his solo show at MoCa Arlington. (Come at 1PM to hear artist Christina P. Day's talk).

A Vast Expanse from Steve Wanna on Vimeo.

Steve will be discussing his practice and the site-specific light and sound installation A Vast Expanse that's currently on view at MoCA

Check it out here. 

Jobs in the arts

Public Art Project Manager

MSAC seeks a Public Art Project Manager supporting the Public Art Program Director in the proliferation of public art statewide and management of public art programs and projects. Compensation is between $25.64 and $41.10 hourly, and applications are due no later than Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Marketing and Communications Manager

MSAC seeks a Marketing and Communications Manager managing all aspects of MSAC’s branding, communications, marketing, and public relations activities, including planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating strategic initiatives. Compensation is between $25.64 and $41.10 hourly, and applications are due no later than Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Click here to read full position descriptions and find out how to apply to MSAC's current openings.

Not one passes muster...

Samuel Anderson writing in Artsy picks 10 Contemporary Artists Painting Dreamlike, Fantastical Landscapes. 

Really? With one or two exceptions, mostly of these bland landscapes miss on the most essential of Painting 101 at any adequate art school: the use of color.  Most all seem to be straight-out-of-the-tube coloring within the lines works that tend to be somewhat repetitive, considering that we're looking at 10 different artists.

With perhaps the exception of John McAllister and Madeleine Bialke, several of the artists' works are practically indistinguishable from each other.  In at least two of the other "distinguishable" artworks, it is because they are so badly painted and composed that they stand out as feh, mediocre works.

Wanna see a fantastical landscape? Check out  Greg Stones here.

Steve Wanna: Artist Talk this Saturday

The super-talented DMV artist Steve Wanna is giving an artist talk this Saturday, July 8 at 2PM in conjunction with his solo show at MoCa Arlington. (Come at 1PM to hear artist Christina P. Day's talk).

A Vast Expanse from Steve Wanna on Vimeo.

Steve will be discussing his practice and the site-specific light and sound installation A Vast Expanse that's currently on view at MoCA

Check it out here. 

Independence Day

 

Happy Independence Day - with a special shout out to all the US Navy men and women at sea: We got your back!