(e)merge

(e)merge opened tonight and the joint was packed to the gills... saw lots of familiar faces, many of whom were greeted by Kristina Bilonick's crew of cheerleaders.

I didn't have much time to look at the artwork in most of the galleries, but I've already picked an amazing piece of artwork to buy from one of the galleries on the third deck - I think I'll get it tomorrow. The very quick walk-through through the ground floor revealed a lot of really good work from the individual artists showcased there.

Opening Tonight

Zenith Gallery hosts "Visual Voices" - an exhibition of DC area artists profiled in the new book "100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic" by E. Ashley Rooney. The show at Zenith Gallery will open with a Book-signing Party with the author and artists, tonight, September 21, 6:00 – 8:30pm, and remains on display through October 29, 2011.

Visual Voices - featuring works by: Alan Binstock, Joan Danziger, Julie Girardini, Margery Goldberg, Robert Jackson, Michael Janis, Joan Konkel, Ann Marchand, Donna McCollough, Davis Morton, Carol Newmyer, Marc Rubin, Barton Rubenstein, Sica, Ellen Sinel, Betsy Stewart, Cassie Taggert, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Paul Martin Wolf, Joyce Zipperer and yours truly.

Book Party, Meet the Author and Artists

Wednesday September 21, 6 - 9 PM
Exhibition: September 21 - October 29, 2011

Zenith Gallery at Chevy Chase Pavilion, second level next to Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion, 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20015

Opportunity for Photographers

Deadline: November 15, 2011

Call For Exhibit Proposals 2012 - Photoworks Exhibit Committee

The Photoworks Exhibit Committee invites photographers to submit a proposal for a group or solo photography exhibition in 2012 at Photoworks Gallery in historic Glen Echo Park. Proposals must be received on or before the November 15, 2011 deadline.

Photography Exhibition Dates:

1. March 2 - April 9, 2012

2. June 15 - July 23, 2012

3. September 7 - October 15, 2012

4. November 16, 2012 - January 17, 2013

Deadline for Exhibit Proposal Submissions: NOVEMBER 15, 2011

Visit www.glenechophotoworks.org for more details.

Meanwhile at Obama, Japan...

Here's the gist of the story: Two artists, Joe Beddall and Gregory Coates, left DC in the mid 80’s. Long story since – they both stayed in touch having bonded over color theory (Greg was at Corcoran/Joe via Kutztown) – and eventually both end up in Pennsylvania.

And now, both get selected for Artist in Residence in – seriously – Obama, Japan, which is just north of Kyoto. They’re there now creating public sculpture, which will open this Friday – Sept. 23rd.

But, I am told that there's more DC connections: these two artists are extensions of the DC color theory school. They met in the early 80’s, appreciated art here but also moved on.

Fast forward: Obama, Japan! Is that cool or what? Check out some of the new sculptures here.

Flight woes

So I boarded my plane in San Diego on Friday around 3PM, and had a plane change in Dallas for my return to Reagan National.

Around the time that we were supposed to arrive in Dallas, I noticed that the plane was doing the racetrack flying thing that they do when they are circling the airport but not landing.

20 minutes later the pilot announces that Dallas airport is closed because of rain and lightning. It seems it has been around 100 years since it rained on Dallas, and ahh... anyway - he says that he expects that we'll get the green light to land in 20 minutes or so.

Half an hour later he announces that we will need to land in Killeen Airport because the plane is running out of fuel.

We land in Killeen, where we notice that there are a lot of other airplanes on the tarmac... waiting. The pilot comes back and says that all those planes are waiting to refuel, and it seems like there's only one refueling truck at the airport. He points out that the huge plane to our left is the same model as ours, and that we're next after them.

He continues to advise that the fuel truck can only load 5,000 pounds of fuel a trip, and thus we will need three trips (and so will the guy who's before us). A little while later the fuel truck shows up and begins to fuel the big plane who is before us in line. We start a game to time how long it takes to fuel - soon we notice that it has been 20 minutes and the truck is still fueling our neighbor.

The pilot comes on and tells us that (in case we haven't noticed) that the plane to our left is being fueled and that as soon he's done we're next. He says he expects that to be 20 minutes or so. The whole planeload of people groan, and someone shouts "bullshit!" As my fellow passenger to my left notes, it has taken over 20 minutes for the first fuel load, and since the pilot said each plane needs three loads... well... you do the math.

A few minutes later, the fuel truck departs and goes away, presumably to reload and come back for part two. To our surprise, another fuel truck shows up and begins to fuel us.

"I thought he said there was only one truck in the airport," someone notes. But the fact that apparently our pilot was wrong, is good news, as we're sucking up the first 5,000 pounds of fuel now.

Soon we notice that our neighboring plane is lighting off and moving away. "Looks like that guy decided that 5,000 pounds was good enough for him to get to Dallas," someone notes.

"Someone tell our pilot," suggest another passenger.

20 minutes later, our fueling truck departs and our pilot announces that as soon as everyone sits down, we can take off for Dallas. None of us mention that he had said (several times) something about us needing three trips to fuel up... after all this is good news, and his math hasn't been very good so far.

A fellow passenger has been listening to my tale of woe about missing my connection to DC, and she has checked the web and notes that my flight has been re-scheduled to depart at 10:56PM (original departure was around 9PM).

As we prepare to take off, it is around 10PM and we're told that the flight will take 25 minutes and we'll be at the gate at 10:39PM. Looks like I'm going to make my connection.

As we approach Dallas again, once again I notice that we're doing circles around the airport, and we actually do not land until 11PM or so - more than an hour for a 25 minute trip.

And, after we land, as I had already figured out, we're told that all the gates are occupied and we'll have to wait on the tarmac until gates open up.

An hour later, almost at midnight, we get a gate and disembark.

I stand on line to get some info on what to do next... I figure that I'm sleeping at the airport tonight. Soon the lady at the counter notices the long line and informs us all that she's closing, but that we can go to any other line for help.

I switch lines, and begin to scan the horizon for shorter lines. 20 minutes later, the same person who had been at the counter is still there and there are 4-5 people in front of me.

I notice that several counters away, a new service agent has opened a desk and there is no line. The Japanese guy behind me has noticed the same thing, but by the time he's reached for his huge carry on, I'm already ten steps ahead of him and bolting (more like hopping on one foot - more on that later...) for the open counter.

It is now almost midnight, and I ask the nice American Airlines lady when the next flight is, expecting her to say 6 or 7 am. "We have a flight leaving," she looks at her watch, "in a few minutes..." She notes the look of despair on my face. "But there are still boarding." She begins to punch numbers in to get me a ticket.

I thank her profusely, and get my ticket and groan when I see that I have to take the rail to another terminal, and then I'm bolting/hopping to Terminal A. Have I mentioned that my right foot had been killing me - for some mysterious reason - since Thursday? A really scary intense pain on the top of my foot that had me limping like an old man...

I arrive at terminal A, and limp run to my gate, which is of course the farthest one away from the rail terminal. When I get there, I note the large crowd awaiting to be board and breathe a sigh of relief, as I haven't missed the plane.

It is then that I notice that this flight is going to Dulles, rather than National. Did I mention that I had driven my van to the airport and left it at the parking lot at National Airport? So I'm heading to the wrong airport.

Oh well, I figure, at least I'll be in the DMV, and maybe I can share a cab to National from Dulles to pick up my van... I'll worry about my checked in luggage later.

An hour later, after the crew shows up, we finally take off. While we're taxing to the runway, I smell vomit and an alarmed flight attendant begins to bring bags to the guy sitting behind me. The poor bastard is clearly either suffering from food poisoning or from a massive hangover, as he throws up multiple times during the flight, especially five minutes after the attendants bring him Ginger Ale and crackers. It could have been worse: I could have been sitting next to him.

We land at Dulles around 3AM, and of course, nearly everyone's bags are missing, so a huge line forms to report the missing bags to the one bleary-eyed attendant on duty. The huge line is moving very slowly when a guy tries to cut in front, and soon a near fist fight is taking place in front of me, with a female Army general almost kicking this jerk's ass in front of us. I decide that I can report the missing bag on the phone and decide to grab a cab for National.

Soon I get to the huge line waiting for taxis, and of course, there are hardly any taxis around 4AM, so it's moving slowly. The same Army general asks if anyone is heading to National and wants to share the cab with her. Soon me and another guy join her and we're heading to National and I'm praying that the $25 bucks that I have left in cash in my wallet are enough to cover my share. The fare turns out to be $64 for all of us, so I'm safe.

I hobble over to the parking garage and begin to look for my van. To my horror, my system of remembering where my van is parked has failed me, and 45 minutes later, I'm still looking for my van and my foot is really killing me.

I give up and head to the exit gates to talk to a parking attendant and see what I need to do. As I limp to the exits, I continue to click my remote.

And then I hear my van and see it, about 50 feet in front of me, right by the exits, and nowhere where I recalled I had left it (on the lower level, by the other exit). But I don't question this complicated issue dealing with chaos theory and quantum physics and head to my van, fully expecting a tire to be flat or the battery dead.

But it all fires up OK, and soon I'm on the George Washington Parkway and heading home with a gorgeous view of Washington and once again I note what a beautiful city our capital is.

I get home around 7AM, completely exhausted, crash on my bed without waking up Alida, and smile as I hear Anderson begin to awake and he shouts: "Mamma! Mamma! Find Dadda!"

Obama Agonistes

Obama Agonistes. Charcoal on 300 weight paper with embedded video player and continuous loop video. Matted and framed under glass to 16 x 32 inches. Circa 2011 by F. Lennox Campello
The above piece is my latest exploration of marrying embedded video with drawing. You will be able to see this new piece at the coming (e)merge art fair this coming week.

The work is being presented by Mayer Fine Art, who will be in room 313 of the fair. MFA will also showcase works by DC's own Ben Tolman and self contained video installations by Tidewater area artist (currently living and working in Japan) John Miles Runner.

The new video/drawing shows the President, hugging his knees and agonizing over a variety of issues and problems during his presidency - much like the same way in which every President before him and those who will come after him are often brutalized by the weight of the White House. The extraordinary responsibility of being POTUS and the even more extraordinary demands and expectations that we leverage on all who occupy that job, is reflected on the immense internal combat depicted on this piece.

The continuous loop video plays a series of 20 appropriated news clips, cartoons and other material that deliver a conceptual tie-in to the struggling President, almost overwhelmed by his failures as much as by his successes, but nonetheless ready to continue to fight.

Matted in a white pH-balanced, acid free white mat and then framed under glass in a custom-made black wood frame to 16 x 32 inches.


Detail of Obama Agonistes, showing the embedded video being played.


Detail of Obama Agonistes, showing the drawing part of the mixed media piece

Flight from hell

I started my flight back from California yesterday and just arrived home around 7AM after unexpected landing in Killeen/Ft Hood Airport in Texas... yea.

More later on trip from hell.

Visual Voices at Zenith

Zenith Gallery hosts "Visual Voices" - an exhibition of DC area artists profiled in the new book "100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic" by E. Ashley Rooney. The show at Zenith Gallery will open with a Book-signing Party with the author and artists, on Wednesday, September 21, 6:00 – 8:30pm, and remain on display through October 29, 2011.

Visual Voices - featuring works by: Alan Binstock, Joan Danziger, Julie Girardini, Margery Goldberg, Robert Jackson, Michael Janis, Joan Konkel, Ann Marchand, Donna McCollough, Davis Morton, Carol Newmyer, Marc Rubin, Barton Rubenstein, Sica, Ellen Sinel, Betsy Stewart, Cassie Taggert, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Paul Martin Wolf, Joyce Zipperer and yours truly.

Book Party, Meet the Author and Artists

Wednesday September 21, 6 - 9 PM
Exhibition: September 21 - October 29, 2011

Zenith Gallery at Chevy Chase Pavilion, second level next to Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion, 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20015

American hero

Later today President Obama will present the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Dakota L. Meyer, a Marine sergeant who braved a hail of enemy fire in Afghanistan to rescue trapped fellow Jarheads and recover the bodies of fallen ones.

We salute this courageous Leatherneck, whom I am told, shared a brewski with POTUS yesterday.

C-Note Art Sale in Reston

The Greater Reston Arts Center's ever popular annual art sale is here with a new twist!

Preview the artwork from 11am to 5pm now through the 15th. The sale itself starts on Thursday, September 15th and runs each evening through Sunday the 18th from 5-8pm. Buy your favorite pieces directly off the walls, so get there early. All art will be for sale at $100, $200, or $300.

Your participation in this fundraiser directly supports GRACE's exhibitions, educational programs and the participating artists. Get more info from GRACE, including a list of the participating artists here.

The artists are:

John Adams
Don Allen
Amos Amit
David Amoroso
Lynda Andrews-Barry
Ann Barbieri
Nancy Bass
Ann Batton
Cheryl Bearss
Kyan Bishop
Carol Bladergroen
Sam Bleier
Leonor Brazao
Jim Budish
Ruth Buhrman
F. Lennox Campello
Thomas Clarkson
Gina Cochran
Candiss Cole
Kathy Cooper
Pam Coulter
Andrea Sherfy Cybyk
Anita Dameron
Catherine Day
Danielle Desplan
Gregg Diamond
Jennifer Duncan
Jacqueline Elwell
Joy Every
Laurie Fields
Jo Fleming
Robert Flowers
Amy Flynn
Collette Fortin
Lillian Forziat
Ricky Frank
Paul Freundt
Pong Gaddi
Rosemary Gallick
H.A. Gallucio
Magaly Garza
John Geci
Annie Gedicks
Stephanie George
Geoffrey Giles
Brendan Ginsburg
Silvia Gonzalez Roman
Helen Gotlib
Joseph Grieco
Marie Gruber
Mike Guyot
Hilary Hachey
Laura Jean Hamilton
Michael Hamlin-Smith
Jeanne Hammett X
Marian Howard
Laura Howell
Jackie Hoysted
Walter/Suzy Iwanciw/Gemborowicz
Nicolette Jelen
Kristofer Johnson
Robert Jones
Michael/Steve Kane/Sells
Kathy Kautter
Joan Kelly
Greg Knott
George Kochev
Deborah Kracht
Krista
Kristin Krongard
Michele Ledoux
Steve Levine
Allison Long Hardy
Val Mahan
Marielle Mariano
Ellen Marshall
Nathaniel Mather
Carolina Mayorga
Joyce McAdams
Tom McQuaid
Mary Ellen Mogee
Laya Monarez
Marius Moore
Gene Morris
Vad Moskowitz
Ray Mosteller
Jim Mueller
Charles Munday
Anne Nagay
Michele Norris
Cathryn & Tom Nowicki
Lori O'Neill
Tim Olson
Barbara Palmer
Terri Parent
James Parker
Matthew Parker
Cheryl Parsons
Pat Peck
James Perry
David Petlowany
Jeanne/Dennis Petrosky/Guzinski
Chelsea Pomeroy
Rayhart
Carolyn Reynolds
Greg Roche
Livingston Rodgers
Huguette Roe
Dale Rogers
Lisa Rosenstein
Ellen Rosenthal
Beverly Ryan
Ellen Sanders
Tomas Savrda
John Scanlan
Dana Ann Scheurer
Stephen Sebastian
Karen & Eric Shi
Alan Simensky
Donna Sinclair
Connie Slack
Michael Stewart
Robert Taylor
Douglas Thayer
Roberta Thole
Anne Timpano
Susan Vaughan
Caroline Viene
Elena Volkhanskaia
Paula Wachsstock
Ashley Wells
Ann Marie Williams
Richard Wilson
Marius Winograd
Ping Wu
Lynn Yarrington
Zhou Yu
Zu Sheng Yu
Erica Zap
Jie Zhou

Options 2011 Opens Tomorrow


Opening Reception: Thursday, September 15, 6-8pm
Curator & Artists' Talk: Saturday, October 1, 3pm

629 New York Avenue NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20001

OPTIONS 2011 is WPA's 30th anniversary biennial exhibition of works by emerging and unrepresented artists from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.

Artists include: John James Anderson, Bittersweet Zine , Heather Boaz, Amy Chan, Mahwish Chishty, Lisa Dillin, Adam Dwight, Twig Harper, Artemis Herber, Katherine Mann, Jimmy Miracle, Amber Robles-Gordon, Oscar Santillan, and Stewart Watson.

Curated by Stefanie Fedor, newly appointed Executive Director, Arlington Arts Center

On view: September 15 - October 29, 2011

Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon - 6pm

Admission is free.

Planets aligning


Gorgeous imagery being reflected on the back of the airplane seat as we landed at O'Hare Airport in Chicago on September 11, 2011.

Old Fraser space to host new show(s)

The first exhibit will feature architect and sculptor Mark Kramer, who will present, “A Retrospective of Figurative Bronzes” from Oct. 12 to Nov. 5. Read it in the WCP here and in the Bethesda Patch here.

Anne Marchand at King Street Gallery

Lest We Forget

"Studio View, 9/11"
Oil on Canvas c. 9/11/2001 by David FeBland
I'm sitting on a strangely quiet Reagan National Airport waiting to catch American Flight 467 to Chicago and then 779 to San Diego.

This is a tough week to be away from the DMV, as it is the last week before the (e)merge art fair and I still have loads of things to do before the fair.

Below is the little guy scarfing up the finger sandwiches and veggie sticks at the Marymount University show opening; curator Judy Bass did a great job of assembling this show and I am honored to be included in the company of photography by Jo Ann Tooley, woodcuts by Kristin Reiber Harris, and mixed-media work by Ann Marie Williams

Heading out tomorrow

I'm not too psyched by the fact that I need to be airborne tomorrow, the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and I'm flying to the Left Coast via Chicago.

Join me tonight

In Black and White is a four person show opening at Marymount University tonight, Friday.

The exhibition features photography by Jo Ann Tooley, woodcuts by Kristin Reiber Harris, mixed-media work by Ann Marie Williams, and drawings by yours truly.

Pleased join me at the opening reception tonight Friday, September 9, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The show will run from September 9 through October 13 at Marymount University’s Barry Art Gallery.

Directions here.

Book review

My local newspaper (The Potomac Almanac) pops in with a nice article by Maya Horowitz on the 100 Artists of Washington, DC book.

Read the review here.

Come to this opening Friday

In Black and White is a four person show opening at Marymount University this coming Friday.

The exhibition features photography by Jo Ann Tooley, woodcuts by Kristin Reiber Harris, mixed-media work by Ann Marie Williams, and drawings by yours truly.

Pleased join me at the opening reception on Friday, September 9, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The show will run from September 9 through October 13 at Marymount University’s Barry Art Gallery.

Directions here.

New gallery to open in Bethesda

The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District and Bethesda Urban Partnership are opening Gallery B in downtown Bethesda!

This gallery, located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E in downtown Bethesda (the beautiful and bright, former airy space of the now closed Fraser Gallery) is available to interested artists and arts organizations for one-month rentals. All media including, but not limited to, painting, photography and sculpture is eligible to use the space. Gallery B does not take a commission on any artwork sold during the exhibition.

They are seeking applications from local artists and arts organizations for month-long exhibitions from November 2011 - May 2012. There is approximately 1,500 sq. feet of available exhibition space.

To be considered for a solo or group exhibition, and to review the gallery requirements, please complete this application.

Questions? Please send them an email to artist@bethesda.org.

Natural Selection Opens Tomorrow

Natural Selection - Paintings by Amy Lin and Sculpture by Paul Wolff. Amy
Lin appears courtesy of Addison/Ripley Fine Art.

Opening Reception and Artist Talk: Wednesday, September 7, 2011
5:30 – 7:00pm
Artist Talk: 6:00pm

September 7- December 7, 2011

The Heurich Gallery
505 Ninth Street, NW
Building located at 9th and E Streets, NW
Gallery Hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 7pm; Sat 9am – 4pm

New gallery in the DMV

The Mysteries of Place and Space is the inaugural show of the Adah Rose Gallery, which is a new art gallery located in Kensington's Antique Row. The gallery showcases contemporary art in a variety of mediums.

The inaugural show at Adah Rose Gallery features the work of artists Lori Anne Boocks and Elizabeth Grusin-Howe.

Ms Boocks, a painter, is the keeper of stories. The act of remembering and sharing stories is a powerful influence on her work. Just as the passage of time creates layers of experiencing -- the remembering of an event, the misremembering of it, the distancing, the forgetting -- are all important pieces in her process and thinking. In her paintings, text serves as both subject matter and the basis for mark-making. Texture for each piece comes from her hands, brushwork, and a subtractive process where layers of poured washes are added to the surface, then partially removed with cloth. Ms Grusin-Howe, a printmaker, also uses layering in her one of a kind prints that revel in the splendor, decay and serenity of Venice. In layers of paint, metallic pigments and waxes, she builds layer upon layer reflecting the experiences of the city itself and the intrigue and stories implicit in such a mysterious place.

Opening Reception with the Artists: Saturday, September 10, 6-9pm. Music by Walker Road and catering by "Cookies".

See ya there!

Amnesty International Demands Release of Cuban Dissidents

Eleven members of a dissident organization and three of their relatives have been detained, without being told of any charges against them, since their arrest on 28 August in Cuba. They have not been allowed access to their families.

Eleven members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unión Patriótica de Cuba, UNPACU), an umbrella group of dissident organizations from the east of Cuba have been detained without charge since 28 August. Three other men, who are relatives of the detainees, are also in detention. According to relatives they are being held at a State Security facility on the outskirts of the city of Santiago de Cuba.

Twenty-seven members of UNPACU met at the house of Marino Antomarchit in the town of Palma Soriano, in the south-eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, to discuss the current crackdown against dissidents in the province.

Witnesses state that around 140 members of the security forces, including the National Revolutionary Police (Policía Nacional Revolucionaria), State Security and members of the prison service surrounded the house at 1pm.

Shortly afterwards, tear gas canisters were launched into the house, where Marino Antomarchit's two-year old daughter and 76-year-old mother were also present, causing nausea and coughing of those who were there. At 5:40pm, between 30 to 40 members of the security forces entered the house and reportedly beat the men and caused damage to the house. The 27 UNPACU members were arrested as were three relatives who had come to the house after the arrival of security forces. Sixteen of the men were released on 31 August, all without charge. Eleven of them remain incarcerated in overcrowded conditions and have not been allowed family visits.

Please Take Action here.

Also, more Ladies in White were arrested today in Cuba.

At least 10 Ladies in White, including one of their leaders, Laura Pollan, were arrested today in the central province of Matanzas.

Also re-arrested was Sara Marta Fonseca, who led a courageous protest on the steps of the Capitol building in Havana early last week. Fonseca is part of the Movimiento Feminista por los Derechos Civiles Rosa Parks (The Rosa Parks Civil Rights Feminist Movement).

Some of the others were Yaneris Perez Rey, Caridad Brunate, Mercedes Evelin, Teresa Castellanos, Rosario Morales, Mayra Morejon and Ivonne Mayesa.

Their crimes? Peaceful marching together, dressed all in white, as a form of civil protest, on their way to Mass.

Sooner or later the criminal Castro Brothers will be held accountable for their crimes against humanity.

Triathlon of the Muses

Performance artists Kathryn Cornelius and Jeffry Cudlin are getting physical. On Saturday, September 24 (12-2pm), the two DC-based artists will stage their own battle of the sexes, competing head-to-head in a two-person sprint triathlon during the (e)merge art fair.

At the Capitol Skyline Hotel, Cornelius and Cudlin will engage in three very real tests of physical and mental stamina: They'll both swim 750m in the hotel pool, pedal 20k on stationary bikes, and run a 5k on treadmills. Immediately after the competition, in a pomp-filled ceremony held poolside, a champion will be declared; a loser will be shamed; and gold and silver medals will be awarded.

About the Athletes (that's them to the left, photo courtesy of Max Cook):

The competitors could not be more physically different: Nearly a foot in height and 50 pounds in weight separates them.

Cornelius is, of course, a woman; stands 5' 6 3/4" tall; and weighs somewhere between 118 and 121 lbs--depending on whether or not she's had her daily constitutional.

Cudlin, meanwhile, we think is a male (usually); stands 6' 4 1/2" tall; and weighs between 171 and 180--depending on his cupcake intake.

The two also sit on opposite ends of the food chain: For the past 14 years, Cudlin, in line with his insect-like (stick insect) appearance, has eaten a strict vegan diet, eschewing meat, dairy, eggs, and all other animal products in favor of grains, legumes, and vegetables. Cornelius, meanwhile, eats a strict Paleo diet, avoiding grains, legumes, and dairy in favor of meat, nuts, seeds, some fruit and little sugar.

In addition to totally dominating one another, Cornelius and Cudlin aim to counter the stereotype of artists as weak, non-athletic sensitives who are notoriously bad at sports.

About the Competition:

The "Triathlon of the Muses" attempts to insert the conventions of popular sporting spectacle into the structure of the art fair—replacing one form of competition, costume-wearing, and role-playing with another. In this way the piece provides a more clearly legible analog for transactions both prior to and within the fair. It also presents a symbolic battle between artists of opposing genders for the same limited resources of audience, patronage, and cultural capital.

The performance's title is a nod to Pierre de Coubertin's "Pentathlon of the Muses," a series of art competitions typically held at the Olympic games during the first half of the 20th century. In the Pentathlon, the sport-inspired work of amateur artists would be judged by arts professionals and other dignitaries. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded.

Watch the pre-competition drama unfold:

Team Cornelius (Twitter training log) - http://twitter.com/TeamCornelius
Team Cudlin (Twitter training log) - http://twitter.com/TeamCudlin

For more details...
Triathlon of the Muses (Performance info) - http://www.facebook.com/groups/229067177144345/
Triathlon of the Muses (RSVP) - http://www.facebook.com/groups/229067177144345/#!/event.php?eid=231500870235589

(e)merge art fair - http://www.emergeartfair.com/

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: Saturday, October 1, 2011

Internationally known Projects Galleryannounces a call to artists for “Square Foot Art Basel Miami.” During this year’s world-acclaimed Art Basel Miami, Projects Gallery will create a mosaic-style wall in its trendy Wynwood Lofts gallery in the Wynwood Arts District of Miami.

A minimum of 100 artists will be selected on a first-come basis. Creating a grid comprised of 12”x12” individual spaces with works of all styles and media, Projects Gallery will provide artists an opportunity to be part of the Art Basel Miami art fairs events. This remarkable gathering of international art fairs and renown emerging venues, such as Aqua, Art Miami, Art Now, NADA, Pulse, Red Dot, Scope and numerous others, creates an arts-conscious concentration uniquely found in Miami every year in early December. It attracts collectors, curators and artists worldwide in a variety of settings with a level of enthusiasm and energy that is fitting for this international destination.

Eligibility: Open to all artists. All works must conform to a dimension of 12”H x 12”W, inclusive of any framing. Works may be smaller in size, but framing must bring the measurement to 12”x12”. For example, a painting measuring 5x7 must have framing that increases the edges to meet the 12”x12” requirement. A video must be shown on a hanging apparatus that makes the player 12”x12”. Sculpture must be wall mounted either by a hanging device or a shelf measuring 12”W. There is no limitation on depth dimension.

Jurors: Projects Gallery Director, Helen Meyrick, and international artist, Frank Hyder. The first 100 artists to apply are guaranteed at least one space on the grid. Once the first 100 entries are received, any subsequent submissions will be considered according to space availability. As entries are submitted, each artist will be notified immediately of their entry placement number. Selected artists will receive photographic proof of their placement on the grid.

Works for consideration may be of any media and any style, including painting, drawing, mixed media, print, photography, video, sculpture, etc. Weight may not exceed 50 lbs. All works must be original, for sale and available for the duration of the exhibition. Gallery commission on net sales is 50%, and gallery reserves the right to discount 10% off retail. Artist is responsible for transportation of work to and from the Miami gallery. Projects Gallery will not be responsible for loss or damage of any work while on the premises or during transit to or from the gallery. All works must be exhibition ready, including wire, hooks, etc. Video artists must supply viewing equipment. Selected artists must permit use of their work images for publicity purposes, including but not limited to print and web.

To Enter: Entries may be submitted via email, snail mail or hand delivery to the Philadelphia gallery. There is a non-refundable entry fee of $60.00 (U.S.) per artist for up to two artwork entries with two additional detail images. Multiple entries are permissible. Each entry is guaranteed a space until the first 100 entries are received, i.e. make one entry application receive at least one space; make two applications received at least two spaces.

Documents required:

Artist contact information: Including name as it should appear in print, email address, mailing address, phone number(s).
List of entries: Include the following information - artist name, titles of images, media, date and retail price of work submitted (Smith, Joe / Image 1 – Untitled / mixed media / 2011 / $xxx).
Resume or bio
Artist statement

Image submissions: Must be digital 300 dpi and at least 600 pixels but no greater than 1200 pixels in either direction. Jpg, gif or tif format. Each image file should be labeled as follows: LastName_FirstName_TheEntryNumber.jpg (Smith_Joe_1.jpg). Do not send original artwork. No slides.

All documents should be in .doc or .pdf format. Entry material will not be returned unless a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided. All entries for this exhibition must be received no later than Saturday, October 1st. Entry fee may be made by credit card or check/money order payable to: Projects Gallery and mailed to the Philadelphia gallery (address below). Entry fee may also be paid via PayPal. If any of the above requirements are not met, the submission will be deemed ineligible.

Mail or drop off submissions and entry fee to:
ProjectsGallery Attn: Square Foot Art Basel Miami
629 N. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123

PayPal payments to either: info@projectsgallery.com or 267-303-9652
Indicate payment for Square Foot ABM

Calendar for Square Foot Art Basel Miami

Entry deadline: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Final notification: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Selected work(s) to Miami gallery: November 14-19, 2011 – no works accepted after November 19th
Exhibition opens: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Exhibition closes: Saturday, December 10, 2011
Reception: Second Saturday, December 10, 2011 7 – 11 PM
Work pick up or return shipping: December 11-12, 2011 pick-up work or prepaid shipping returned

All shipped works must arrive in reusable packaging (with complete installation instructions where applicable) and include a prepaid, return-shipping label. An appointment must be made for hand-delivered works to the Miami gallery. DO NOT send works to the Philadelphia gallery. Any works not picked up by December 12, 2011 will be charged a $5 per day storage fee.

In addition to the exhibition, postcards and e-announcements will be produced, press releases and images will be sent out and the exhibition will be highlighted on the gallery’s website.

Questions? Contact info@projectsgallery.com or call 267-303-9652.

Chilean artists at AMA

Opening this Friday

Touchstone Gallery is opening a show of new works by Lou Gagnon with an opening reception this coming Friday, September 9, 6-8:30pm.

Gagnon is not only a superbly talented artist, but also one of the area's hardest working ones; from the press release:

Believing Joy is always there for the making, this exhibition of recent pastels by Lou Gagnon, offers the joy that comes from Seeing, Working and Sharing. Bridging the methods of the ancient, old and modern masters with 21st century cognitive and visual science, Lou creates simple yet sophisticated color arrangements, inspired by his families’ farm, that move both visually and emotionally. The joy of seeing, working and sharing comes from focusing our attention beyond ourselves and connecting to nature. So much of our time is wrapped in thought… in navigating complexity. These pictures are a small space of peace.

Lou lives and works, with his wife and children, on their eighth generation family farm in Gainesville, Virginia. He studied art at Mary Washington College and has a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. He practiced architecture, urban planning and environmental design for fifteen years in Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon and Glendale, California. He has received regional, national and international awards for fine art and design including the 2004 IDEA Gold Medal for Environmental Design for Mission: Space at EPCOT, Walt Disney World. Lou was the Concept Architect at Walt Disney Imagineering for Mission: Space and the lead designer for Hotel MiraCosta at Tokyo DisneySea in Tokyo, Japan. While at Imagineering, Lou mentored with Disney Legend John Hench on color and design. He has also studied with Wolf Kahn.

In 2002, Lou and his wife Andrea, founded LynnVale Studios llc in an effort to preserve the family farm. LynnVale Studios llc is dedicated to cultivating creativity and the human spirit though alternative agriculture and fine art. There, they grow over 200 varieties of specialty cut flowers that they sell at farmers markets in they Washington metro area and offer floral design services for events. In addition to making art, Lou teaches art to home school children and through summer camps, coaches professional artists of color and design, facilitates corporate creative workshops and collaborates with Virginia Tech’s Masters of Architecture program.

This is his first solo show at Touchstone Gallery. He has shown at the the Lee Arts Center in Arlington, VA, Caton Merchant Center for the Arts in Manassas, VA, The Delaplaine Arts Education Center in Frederick, MD, Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, MD. Architectural and urban design illustrations were exhibited at Portland State University in Portland, OR and The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Go see this show.

Arts on Foot next weekend

DC's Arts on Foot is next weekend and it has all kinds of great activities including 115 exhibitors; details here.

Congrats to Trawick Prize winners

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the top four prize winners on Wednesday evening during the exhibition’s opening. Mia Feuer from Washington, D.C. was awarded “Best in Show” with $10,000; Caryl Burtner from Richmond, VA was named second place and given $2,000; Ryan Browning from Frederick, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000 and the “Young Artist” award of $1,000 was given to Lu Zhang of Baltimore, MD.

Mia Feuer and Carol Trawick
The work of the finalists will be on exhibit at the Artery Plaza Gallery, 7200 Wisconsin Avenue September 1-30, 2011. The public opening reception will be held Friday, September 9 from 6-9pm in conjunction with the Bethesda Art Walk. Gallery hours for the duration of the exhibit are Wednesday through Saturday, 12 – 6pm.

The Trawick Prize is one of the first regional competitions and largest prizes to annually honor visual artists. To date, The Trawick Prize has awarded over $126,000 in prize monies and has exhibited the work of over 100 regional artists.

Visual Voices at Zenith

Zenith Gallery hosts "Visual Voices" - an exhibition of DC area artists profiled in the new book "100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic" by E. Ashley Rooney. The show at Zenith Gallery will open with a Book-signing Party with the author and artists, on Wednesday, September 21, 6:00 – 8:30pm, and remain on display through October 29, 2011.

Visual Voices - featuring works by: Alan Binstock, Joan Danziger, Julie Girardini, Margery Goldberg, Robert Jackson, Michael Janis, Joan Konkel, Ann Marchand, Donna McCollough, Davis Morton, Carol Newmyer, Marc Rubin, Barton Rubenstein, Sica, Ellen Sinel, Betsy Stewart, Cassie Taggert, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Paul Martin Wolf, Joyce Zipperer and yours truly.

Book Party, Meet the Author and Artists

Wednesday September 21, 6 - 9 PM
Exhibition: September 21 - October 29, 2011

Zenith Gallery at Chevy Chase Pavilion, second level next to Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion, 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20015

Trawick Prizewinner

Congrats to Mia Feuer, winner of the 2011 Trawick Prize!

New EO at the Torpedo Factory

The Torpedo Factory Art Center Board has appointed my good friend Harry E. Mahon interim chief executive officer of the Torpedo Factory Art Center (TFAC).

“The Board is very pleased to have Mr. Mahon in this leadership role. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about Alexandria, the arts, and nonprofit organizations, as well as successful business experience,” said Susan Corrigan, president of the Torpedo Factory Art Center Board.

Under the direction of the Board, appointed by Alexandria City Council in 2010, Mr. Mahon will manage the operations of TFAC and assist with strategic planning, resource development, and other new Board initiatives.

Mr. Mahon previously served as president and trustee of the Northern Fine Arts Association, based at the Athenaeum. While there, Mr. Mahon led a significant renovation of the Athenaeum interior and established collaborations with The Washington Ballet to provide ballet classes, the Songwriters Association of Washington for the Second Thursday Music program, and other regional arts groups. He also had a successful career in telecommunications with companies such as AT&T, GTE, and INTELSAT. He is the creator of ArtsDC.com and ArtsMedia News. Mr. Mahon has served the City of Alexandria as a member of several City commissions. He lives in Old Town with his wife, Twig Murray, and son, Jamie.

“I am honored to be working with the Torpedo Factory Art Center Board to build a solid future for this vibrant City asset,” said Mr. Mahon.

Go get them Harry! Great choice!

(e)merge announces its exhibitors

The (e)merge art fair has announced its exhibiting galleries and invited unrepresented artists. Check them out here.

Also check out Maura Judkis' take on the issue in the WaPo here and GOG's Lavanya Ramanathan, also in the WaPo, here and Benjamin Freed in the WCP here.

The participants are:
GALLERY PLATFORM > galleries and non-profit art spaces
AUSTRIA: Brot Kunsthalle, Vienna. | BELGIUM: Nomad Gallery, Brussels. | CANADA: Pierre-François Ouellette Art Contemporain, Montréal. | FRANCE: Galerie E.G.P., Paris. | GERMANY: Galerie Anita Beckers, Frankfurt. | ITALY: Jerome Zodo Contemporary, Milan. / Teverina Fine Art, Cortona. | THE NETHERLANDS: Amstel Gallery, Amsterdam. | U.K.: Vane, Newcastle upon Tyne. | U.S.A: ADA Gallery, Richmond, VA. / Art Whino Gallery, National Harbor, MD. / Aureus Contemporary, Providence, RI. / Conner Contemporary Art, Washington, DC. / Corcoran College of Art + Design, Washington, DC. / Curator’s Office, Washington, DC. / Flashpoint Gallery, Washington, DC. / G Fine Art, Washington, DC. / Ghostprint Gallery, Richmond, VA. / Goya Contemporary, Baltimore. MD / Hamiltonian Artists, Washington, DC. / Heiner Contemporary, Washington, DC. / Hemphill Fine Arts, Washington, DC. / Honfleur Gallery, Washington, DC. / Irvine Contemporary, Washington, DC. / Jordan Faye Contemporary, Baltimore, MD. / Josée Bienvenu Gallery, New York, NY. / Lu Magnus Gallery, New York, NY. / Mayer Fine Art, Norfolk, VA. / McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA. / Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD. / Mindy Solomon Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL. / monique meloche, Chicgo, IL / Solas Nua, Washington, DC. / The Studio Visit, Washington, DC. / Transformer, Washington, DC. / Washington Project for the Arts, Washington, DC. / White Columns, New York, NY.

ARTIST PLATFORM > unrepresented artists
CANADA: Tammi Campbell, Saskatoon / Jennifer Mawby, Vancouver. | GERMANY: Christina Kruse, Berlin (+ New York). U.S.A: Chukwuma Agubokwu, Upper Marlboro, MD. / Becky Alprin, Chicago, IL. / Nico Antoniadis + Alexi Stone, Boston, MA. / Holly Bass, Washington, DC. / Kristina Bilonick, Washington, DC. / Calder Brannock, College Park, MD. / Bradley Chriss, Bethesda, MD / Matias Cuevas, Washington, DC. / Double A Projects, Brooklyn, NY. / Jeremy Flick, Tacoma Park, MD. / Free Space Collective, Washington, DC. / Jeremy Haik, Brooklyn, NY. / Terence Hannum, Chicago, IL. / Syed Sibtul Hasnain, Leesburg, VA. / Evan Hume, Washington, DC. / Steven Jones, Baltimore, MD. / Craig Kraft, Washington, DC. / Jacqueline Levine, Washington, DC. / Adam Lister, Arlington, VA. / Katherine Mann, Alexandria, VA. / Nathan Manuel + D. Billy, Brooklyn, NY. / J.J. McCracken, Mt. Ranier, MD, / Patrick McDonough, Washington, DC. / Jonathan, Monaghan, Oceanside, NY. / Kendall Nordin, Washington, DC. / Sean Noyce, Brooklyn, NY. / Peacock, Queens, NY. / Beverly Ress, Washington, DC. / Siobhan Rigg, Washington, DC. / Zach Rockhill, Brooklyn. / Sam Scharf, Washington, DC. / David B. Smith, New York,NY. / Dan Solberg, Washington, DC. / Emma Spertus, Oakland, CA. / James J. Williams III, Brooklyn, NY. / Wilmer Wilson IV, Richmond, VA.

On the air soon

In a few days I'll be on the Kojo Nnamdi Show discussing the Greater Washington area visual arts and artists and art stories as I usually do several times a year.

I'll let you all know the exact time as soon as we settle on one.

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: November 7, 2011.

The State University of New York at Cortland announces a call to artists for a group exhibition at the Dowd Gallery, January 18–March 2, 2012. Open to all artists nationally and internationally, to submit work for consideration that represents innovation in concept, subject or media use. All work must be the original work of the applicant, suitable for gallery installation. Full color publication produced. Juried by committee of 5-9 professional artists. No entrance fee. Artists are responsible for shipping fees. Selected artists may be invited for a subsequent short term visiting artist program with undergraduate studio art students including presentation of work, discussion and studio visit. The selected artist will receive a stipend of $1000 for his/her time and travel expenses. For more information contact Bryan Thomas at dowd.gallery@cortland.edu or visit the gallery website here.

Go to this tonight!

This summer, Red Dirt Studio hosted two awesome Cranbrook artists, Christina Osheim and Matthew Kerkof.

Join them for a one night only exhibition, artist talk and party,“RAD DIRT”, at the culmination of their residency. It is at events like this where one really feels and discovers what makes the DMV art scene pop and vibrate.

See you at the studio!

RED DIRT STUDIO
3706-08 Otis Street
Mt. Rainier, MD 20712
202.607.9472

Hope Chest

HOPE CHEST: a young woman's accumulation of clothes and domestic furnishings (as silver and linen) kept in anticipation of her marriage; also : a chest for such an accumulation.

This is a special event featuring artwork by DC/Baltimore artists Mariah Anne Johnson, Becca Kallem, Chandi Kelley, Michelle McAuliffe, Erin Murray, Elle Perez, Katherine Sifers, and Dafna Steinberg. These emerging artists "challenge and reinvent tradition, romance, gender roles/expectations, and sexuality. Their work also investigates what we keep, save, and treasure in contrast to what is discarded. Photography, installations, mixed media work, and paintings present the domestic, nostalgic, and personal in new contexts."

September 15, 2011, 6-9 pm
GreenHouse 11
1123 11th St NW
Washington, DC

Work on view September 15 - November 15 by appointment. A special event will be held on September 24 to coincide with Shaw's NUIT BLANCHE Art All Night and the (e)merge art fair.

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: Friday, October 28, 2011

The gorgeous BlackRock Center For the Arts is accepting entries for their October 2012 - August 2013 exhibit season.

You can download the prospectus here.

Eligibility: Open to all artists 18 years and over residing in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC.

Special Consideration: Artists who are willing to conduct a lecture or workshop for a BlackRock standard fee will receive special consideration during the selection process.

About the Gallery: BlackRock Center for the Arts gallery is 1500 square feet of exquisite gallery space located in Germantown, Maryland. With its high neutral walls and beautiful windows strategically placed it allows in just the right amount of natural light. The windows are located above the walls which makes it an ideal space for fiber art. BlackRock Center for the Arts takes pride in the eclectic group of artists we have exhibited in the gallery since 2002.

Jurors: Jack Rasmussen: Director and Curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington, DC.

Jodi Walsh: mixed medium artist, curator, national speaker, owner and Gallery Director of Gallery 555 in Washington, DC.

Carol Brown Goldberg: professional fine artist and lecturer, Carol has been exhibiting her work locally and internationally over the past 36 years.

Two years old today!


While no one was looking, Little Junes discovers sugar at his second birthday party!

Artists Announced

The But Is It Art? art fair has announced their participating artists. They are:

Aaron Lim / Adrian Parsons / Adriane Connerton / Chris Fitzwater / Christina Osheim / Cross Adams / Dafna Steinberg / Dan Tulk / Deshaundon Jeanes / Floyd York / Graham Childs / Jake Dibeler / James Martin / Joseph Hale / Joseph Orzal / Kat Sotelo / Keli Anaya / Kunj Patel / Lindsay Rowinski / Matthew Kerkhof /Mike Corigliano / Robert Esustice Curring / Ryan Florig / Sebastian Rosseau / Stephen Crouch / Kelly Towles / Theodore Denman Brice

They need to raise funds and have a kickstarter drive going on - donate here.

Irene

Can't believe the hurricane madness going on...

Mici on 100 Artists of Washington, DC

Read Bora Mici here.

We will never forget!

The Great DC Earthquake of 2011

We WILL Rebuild!

Photobook: Harrogate, England

Photos from our trip to Harrogate, England earlier this year - Click here to view this photo book larger

On the subject of the MLK Memorial

As the former chief art critic of the Washington Post once noted over three years ago:

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the few undoubtedly, undilutedly great figures of the 20th century. Here's a radical idea for truly doing justice to the greatness of his memory: Give him a monument that might go down in history as an equally great work of art.

According to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the 28-foot-tall statue of King now being prepared on a work site in China, for eventual placement in a memorial on the Mall, doesn't fill that bill. As reported yesterday, the commission, which has final say in all such projects, recently concluded that the latest model for the sculpture evokes the socialist realist art of Stalin's Russia and Mao's China -- "a genre of political sculpture that has recently been pulled down in other countries," as the commission's chairman put it in a letter to the foundation raising funds for the memorial.

Of course giving King, or anyone for that matter "a monument that might go down in history as an equally great work of art" is not an easy assignment, as the only judge and jury there is time, not contemporary artists, critics or intelligentsia.


Back then Gopnik made it clear that "for the record, I'm not on board with those who complain that the King monument is being made by a foreigner. Americans have a great tradition of bringing in the best art from abroad and (eventually) making it their own: The Statue of Liberty was designed, engineered and financed by Frenchmen."

That is 98% correct, although a little research into how his example's seminal idea, construction and delivery was initially received by the American press and public does yield a few similarities with the King issue. With the passage of time, though, Gopnik's example eventually becomes a good one. But it's also not a good example in the sense that Liberty was a gift from the people of France, designed, built and paid by the French.

Remember the huge controversies and arguments raised at the time over the Viet Nam War Memorial?

In fact, it seems like the first thing that happens when a public memorial, any memorial, gets planned and discussed, is that huge chasms erupt as the various agendas, ideologies and issues arise.

Historically, huge differences of opinion and artistic controversy seems to be part of the process. It was for Lady Liberty, it was for Maya Lin's elegant wall, it was for the recent WWII Memorial, and it has been for several years now for Dr. King's statue.

It was and it will always be a difficult process to select a national level capital area statue or monument for Dr. King; that much we already know, but the current Maoist-Stalinist piece of mierda that was constructed inside the Chinese BORG was not the answer, and I stand by my three year-old position that this statue is now my least favorite monument in the Mall area -- too bad that it honors one of my favorite and most inspirational characters in Terran history.

What's with that weird "look" in King's face in the Lei Yixin statue anyway? And what's with the arms crossed and one hand holding a pen? (is it a pen?) - it's like Lei Yixin took Bob Dole's body and put a King head on it, where MLK is staring at the sun and squinting in discomfort?

I don't like it; I don't think that it contains the "it" that makes a statue cross over from being a cold stone object to the embodiment of the subject matter, like Micheangelo's beautiful David or Daniel Chester French's massive seated Lincoln in the Mall's Lincoln Memorial.

But what bugs me the most is that the statue does "look" like it belongs in Stalin's Russia or Mao's China or Hitler's Germany - homes to some of history's worst mass murderers and the anti-thesis of everything that MLK stood for.

Just my opinion, and for those who like the statue: let's just honor the man for which it stands and disagree with the vehicle itself.

Realer Art D.C.

Remember the WaPo's "Real Art DC"?

And now, John Anderson, over at the WCP tips us all that the WaPo has a second iteration of the "Real Art DC" quasi competition that they had last year.

This is where you enter the "competition".

I'm curious as to the rules this year... more on that later.

The WaPo on Erwin Timmers

Check it out here - a "green" artist since before there were "green artists."

Timmers is one of my 100.

Things we see at airports

We approach the security point at Ft. Lauderdale Airport, and as experienced travelers, my wife, Little Junes and I begin the usual routine: shoes off, change out of pocket, laptop out of the bag, etc.

I notice the old guy in front of me when he starts doing the same thing, he takes off his shoes, empties his pockets, takes off his belt, and then begins to take off his pants.

"Sir!" shouts an alarmed TSA agent, "there's no need to take off your pants!"

Dude looks at her, shrugs and pulls his trousers up, buttons them and walks through the scanner.

Tropical Restaurant

I've always thought that I had a pretty good handle on all the good Cuban restaurants around Miami (well at least as good as someone who goes there a lot), but on this visit my mother took us all out to lunch at this place in the middle of Hialeah, just a couple of quick miles from the airport and almost right off LeJeune Road, which is the main road right off the airport.

The place is called Tropical Restaurant and it is located at 652 E 9th St
Hialeah, FL 33010 - (305) 887-5556.

Let me tell you, this place is worth driving to it if you are in Miami and want to experience a really good restaurant with really cheap prices and excellent Cuban food.

It has a huge sign on 9th Street, and then once you drive into the strip mall where it is located, it is a little hard to locate at first - all you really see is an outside kiosk-like entrance common to Cuban restaurants -- where people can walk up and have a Cuban coffee or a sandwich. To the right of that is a door, and that is the actual entrance to a very large restaurant.

When we entered, it was very cool and very dark, and there's a stage to the left where a really good singer was entertaining the eating customers singing smooth, Spanish love songs in a Julio Iglesias-type crooning voice.

There's a small army of waiters in uniform and as soon as we were seated, and one brought us some toasted Cuban bread with butter. I'd say the average age of the waiters was around 60 and they all looked like they've been doing the job for decades.

My wife ordered some "mariquitas" (waver thin fried plantain chips) to start and we got a huge hot plate of them for $2.50 - they were right off the pan!

The food was excellent - since it was lunch I had a large "Caldo Gallego" (Galician Stew) and it was very tasty and another amazing deal for $3.50. Anderson had Cuban Chicken Soup and scarfed up an adult-size plate as well as a full avocado salad on a bed of lettuce and tomatoes. He then finished off a mamey "batido" (A Cuban milkshake amde with mamey fruit).

The menu was quite extensive and they have daily specials (I noted they serve goat once a week) and the prices are all excellent and quite a mind check to other (higher) prices in Miami's more chic Cuban restaurants.

Generous portions, perfect service and a very friendly atmosphere - This is as local and as Cuban as it gets.

Airborne

Heading to Miami for the weekend and back on Sunday night...

Visual Voices at Zenith Gallery at Chevy Chase Pavillion

Visual Voices is a show of Zenith artists – Past, Present & Future - profiled in the new book “100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic” by Ashley Rooney.

Margery E. Goldberg has been a major player in the Washington arts community for three decades as an entrepreneur, owner of Zenith Gallery, curator, wood sculptor and activist, and in this show she shines a spotlight on artists with whom she has worked and collaborated over the years. All have recently been recognized for their talents, in a new book by Ashley Rooney, “100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic". The show at Zenith Gallery will open with a Book-signing Party with the author and artists, on Wednesday, September 21, 6:00 – 8:30pm, and remain on display through October 29, 2011.

In “100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic,” Ashley Rooney highlights more than 480 paintings, sculptures, photos, drawings and statements by 100 contemporary artists working in oil, glass, multi-media metal and other materials. Rooney has written many books on architecture, design and art in recent years, including “100 New England Artists in 2010.” She turned to writing after years in management consulting and working with adolescents. “100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic, $45, will be available at Zenith Gallery throughout the exhibition.

Now in its 33rd year, Zenith Gallery provides high-quality acquisition, consulting and commissioning services to residential/corporate clients via its website, a salon gallery just off 16th Street, by appointment and house calls. In addition to curating shows throughout Chevy Chase Pavilion, where Zenith also operates a gallery on level 2, Zenith curates rotating exhibitions at the Eleven Eleven Sculpture Space at 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Book Party: Meet the Author & Artists
Wednesday, September 21, 6:00-8:30 PM
Exhibition: September 21 – October 29, 2011

Artists: Alan Binstock, Joan Danziger, Julie Girardini, Margery E. Goldberg, Robert C. Jackson, Michael Janis, Joan Konkel, Anne Marchand, Donna McCullough, Davis Morton, Carol Newmyer, Marc Rubin, Barton Rubenstein, Sica, Ellen Sinel, Betsy Stewart, Cassie Taggert, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Paul Martin Wolff, Joyce Zipperer and yours truly.

Where: Chevy Chase Pavilion, 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20015

Zenith’s gallery, on level 2 next to Embassy Suites Hotel, is open Wednesday-Saturday, noon-6:00 PM and by appointment.

Info: 202-783-2963 art@zenithgallery.com www.zenithgallery.com.

Congrats to Victoria!

From Conner Contemporary's news release:

Conner /*gogo is extremely pleased to announce the representation of Victoria F. Gaitán. Ms.Gaitán's insightful photographic work will add tremendously to our roster.

Opportunity for DMV artists

Deadline: Friday, September 30th, 2011

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is seeking to purchase two and three-dimensional works of art including, but not limited to, prints, drawings, mixed media compositions, paintings, photographs, ceramics, and moveable sculptures to be included in the Art Bank Collection. They are especially encouraging video artists and other technological innovators to apply.

The call is open to artists who reside or maintain studio space in the Washington DC metro area, however, preference will be given to DC residents.

The deadline for submission is Friday, September 30th. Please follow dcarts.slideroom.com to find the Art Bank 2011 Call to artists.

For additional information, contact Zoma Wallace at zoma.wallace@dc.gov or 202.724.5613.

DCCAH Announces 2012 Grants Programs

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) has announced its streamlined 2012 Grants Program. The DCCAH offers several funding programs for individuals and nonprofit organizations located in DC.

For more information on requirements, how to apply, and resources for writing grants, visit the Commission's website.

New Drawings

Last Copy of the Constitution. 8x8 inches. Charcoal and Conte on 300 weight paper. Framed to 10 x 10 inches.


Last Copy of the Constitution II. 4x12 inches. Charcoal and Conte on 300 weight paper. Framed to 5.5 x 15 inches.


Woman Adrift. 8x8 inches. Charcoal and Conte on 300 weight paper. Framed to 10 x 10 inches.


True Believer. 8x8 inches. Charcoal and Conte on 300 weight paper. Framed to 10 x 10 inches.


Ave Gaul. 8x8 inches. Charcoal and Conte on 300 weight paper. Framed to 10 x 10 inches.


Haggia Marilyna. 8x8 inches. Charcoal and Conte on 300 weight paper. Framed to 10 x 10 inches.


Goth Girl. 4x12 inches. Charcoal and Conte on 300 weight paper. Framed to 5.5 x 15 inches.


Dead Girl. 4x12 inches. Charcoal and Conte on 300 weight paper. Framed to 5.5 x 15 inches.

Sotheby's

According to the description on this lot, which is a drawing of mine sold at the 2000 solo show that I had at the old eklektikos gallery on 7th Street, NW in DC, the drawing was re-acquired at Sotheby's auction for $1,100.00 samolians!

Nice!