Henrietta Lacks at NPG

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life of Henrietta Lacks with the installation of a 2017 portrait by Kadir Nelson. The painting will be installed on the museum’s presentation wall on the first floor Tuesday, May 15. The portrait was jointly acquired by the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture as a gift from Nelson and the JKBN Group LLC, and will be shared by the two museums. The artwork will be on view at the Portrait Gallery through Nov. 4. 

“It is fitting that Henrietta Lacks be honored at two Smithsonian museums, as each approaches American history from unique and complementary perspectives,” said Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery. “Lacks’ story presents moral and philosophical questions around issues of consent, racial inequalities, the role of women, medical research and privacy laws, providing rich platforms for historical understanding and public dialogue.”

“Henrietta Lacks (HeLa): The Mother of Modern Medicine” by Kadir Nelson, oil on linen, 2017.

“The National Museum of African American History and Culture has always felt that the story of Henrietta Lacks is a significant and important moment that deserved greater recognition,” said Lonnie Bunch, director of the museum.

Lacks (1920 – 1951) lost her life to cervical cancer at age 31. During her treatment, doctors took cells from her body and discovered they lived long lives and reproduced indefinitely in test tubes. These “immortal” HeLa cells have since contributed to over 10,000 medical patents, aiding research and benefiting patients with polio, AIDS, Parkinson’s disease and other conditions. Considering the history of medical testing on African Americans without their permission, the fate of Lacks raises questions about ethics, privacy and race. 

Addressing those issues forthrightly, Rebecca Skloot’s 2010 book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, prompted Oprah Winfrey and HBO to explore her story on film. Commissioned by HBO, Nelson used visual elements to convey Lacks’ legacy. The wallpaper features the “Flower of Life,” a symbol of immortality; the flowers on her dress recall images of cell structures; and two missing buttons allude to the cells taken from her body without permission.

Art Scam Alert!

Avoid this mutant trying to rip off artists! Pass this post to fellow artists - and if you want to know how the scam works, go the blog search box on the upper left and type in "art scam" in quotes and it will describe the different variants of this scam.

From: Thomasfred50005000@gmail.com

Good Day Im Thomas Fred From NC. I observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes your piece of art work, I'm also impressed to have seen your different piece of works too, : ) You are doing an amazing job.I would like to receive more information about your piece of artwork and what inspires you. I am very much interested in buying a piece of art ,to surprise my wife. Kindly reply for the immediate art work for purchase ?? (Thomasfred50005000@gmail.com) Best Regards Thomas

Donations wanted

CALLING ALL ARTISTS: Local, National and International!
Somewhere Over the Interconnected Rainbow & Prospero’s Grand St. Masque, 6/8/18 - 6/10/18
All Works Accepted. No Fee to Submit.

This is a Grand St. Convent Farewell Fundraiser Event as we need to build out and move to our new uptown space! Click here for more information about our unexpected transition.

ALL ARTISTS EVERYWHERE ARE WELCOME TO BE PART OF THIS EXHIBIT.
Just like Prospero’s Masqued Ball in Edgar Allan Poe's Masque of Red Death, our final exhibition in the convent will feature seven rooms in seven colors, and to symbolize the promise of the rainbow, we will have an eighth room, which will be yellow, and red will run through the hallway. Each room will be filled with artworks that respond to the designated colors. Through our creative hanging and curation system, in each room ​all the works will be connected to one another. 

Everyone is invited to participate by donating one or more unframed work(s) for the event. Our intention is to create an exciting and inclusive show with artists we've shown over the years and those who haven't had an opportunity to show their work in our unique convent space. We want to fill each room with as much artwork as it can hold. (We’re blasting out of our current space in style!) All works will be for sale at $200 each. All proceeds go to Drawing Rooms. Works unsold at the end of the exhibit weekend can be returned to the artist. 

Submission Guidelines:
Fee:                               No Cost
Size:                              8 x10 inches - 11 x 14 inches
Media:                         any 
Material:                    Any type of paper or paper-like substrate or material 
Unframed:                All works must be able to be hung by clips
Concept:                    Art work can be on ANY concept or idea but think about COLOR
Price of Work:       $200. Proceeds go to Drawing Rooms.  
Registration:           click on a link below to choose color by 5/25/18
Submission Due:   MUST be received by 6/2/18

Note: You are only donating your commission on sale of the artwork to Drawing Rooms, not the work itself. If we sell it, you are letting us keep 100% of the sale, if we don't sell it, you get it back.

Registration:            Please SIGN UP in the color room below by 5/25/18, so we can get you all the info
BLUE
BLACK
RED
WHITE
ORANGE
VIOLET
YELLOW
GREEN
PURPLE

Delivery:
Please write your name and email address on the back of your artwork.
Mail submission(s) in a large envelope to the following address and include a stamped self-addressed return envelope if you want the work sent back, if it isn’t sold. 
James Pustorino
74 W. 46th St
Bayonne, NJ 07002

Date of Events
6/8/18 Fri: Artists Only 7-10p
6/9/18 Sat: Artists, Friends and Visitors TBD
6/10/18 Sun: Artists, Friends and Visitors TBD

Suggested Contribution
We have to build-out and move to a new space!
While there is no fee to attend the event (please buy art!), we would appreciate if you contribute at one of the levels listed below:
$10 - $24.99       Acquaintance
$25 - $49.99        Friend
$50 - $99.99        Better Friend*
$100 - $499.99  Best Friend*
$500+                      BFF*
 Click HERE  to contribute. Thank you!
​*you will also receive a copy of our latest Rainbow Thursdays Artists catalogue!

All contributions and profit from the sales of artwork will go towards the new space so we can continue to show artists' works.

​Questions??  please see FAQS

Note:
​We have limited resources at this time and are unable to answer any questions as we are planning, fundraising, packing, getting estimates for construction, working with contractors and a million other things!

Drawing Rooms is a project of Victory Hall Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization producing exhibitions and classes in the NY/NJ area since 2001.

Art Scam Alert!

Beware of this scammer:

From: John Steinmann -  j.steinmanninc@outlook.com

Am interested in your pieces , do you ship to Switzerland and accept US issued credit card as payment?, you will contact my shipper who handles all of my shipment, they pick up the items at your location and deliver directly to my store doorstep without hassle. Let me know if i can e-mail you what am interested in ordering.

John Steinmann

American University’s Studio Art MFA program

American Universtiy Museum at the Katzen Arts Center

On view:
May 5-May 27, 2018 

Saturday, May 5 5-7:30PM
Thesis Candidate Reception 
A gallery talk will be held from 5-6PM, and the Opening Reception from 6-7:30PM. Free and open to all.

This exhibition represents the culmination of two years’ work by the eight graduating members of American University’s Studio Art MFA program. At the close of four semesters of experimentation, discovery, dedication, and reinvention, these artists claim their space and their purpose in an exhibition that is both an ending and a beginning. Featuring artists: Holly Trout, Tim Magenta, Tiffany Raquel, Fallon Chase, Ban Alwehaibi, Michelle Gagliano, Michelle Tangires, and Paige Stewart.

How to Hang Your Artworks

Not from me... 

Read the tips here.

Modern Gothic: The Photographic Art of Jamie Mahon

If you are a fan of the erotic dark side of spectacularly beautiful women who in many cases transform themselves into unbelievably sensual (and dangerous)... and somewhat predatory examples of what happens when natural beauty descends (or climbs) into the realms of darkness...

Then this is the book for you! 

Had H P Lovecraft seen these photos, he would have understood the nuances behind some of these awe-inspiring models, all captured in brilliant dark glory by a very talented photographer.  These are not the historical Goths who destroyed the Roman Empire in the 400s and raided their way through Western Europe and settled in Spain, France and northern Italy to make up those modern nations.

These are today's Goths.

Mahon is a master of the set-up, of the light (ironic no??) and of the posture... I can almost hear him whispering to the clear-eye beauties in this book, trying to draw even more danger and darkness from the dark moistness that is their bodies and the harsh light that beams from their eyes. 

Mahon must be familiar with Robert Ervin Howard's "The Song of a Mad Minstrel", which can be (almost) heard being whispered behind some of these unique women:

There was never a king or priest to cheer me by word or look,
There was never a man or beast in the blood-black ways I took.
There were crimson gulfs unplumbed, there were black wings over a sea,
There were pits where mad things drummed, and foaming blasphemy.

There were vast ungodly tombs where slimy monsters dreamed;
There were clouds like blood-drenched plumes where unborn demons screamed.
There were ages dead to Time, and lands lost out of Space; 
There were adders in the slime, and a dim unholy Face.

Oh, the heart in my breast turned stone, and the brain froze in my skull--
But I won through, I alone, and poured my chalice full
Of horrors and dooms and spells, black buds and bitter roots--
From the hells beneath the hells, I bring you my deathly fruits.

DC Art Bank: Call for DMV Artists!

Great news: Just heard from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, and this year’s Art Bank call to artists is open to metropolitan area artists and District galleries representing metropolitan area artists - not just DC artists! 

Details here.

Bethesda Painting Awards finalists selected!

$10,000 to be Awarded to Best in Show

Eight painters have been selected as finalists for the Bethesda Painting Awards, a juried competition and exhibition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District. Nearly 300 artists from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. submitted work to the 14^th annual competition created to exclusively honor regional painters. The work of the eight finalists will be on display at Gallery B from June 6-30, 2018.

The top prize winners will be announced and honored on Wednesday, June 6 at 7pm at a private reception held at Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E. The Best in Show winner will be awarded $10,000, second place will be honored with $2,000 and third place will be awarded $1,000.

The artists selected as finalists are:

Kim Abraham, Alexandria, VA

Sarah Boyts Yoder, Charlottesville, VA

Carolyn Case, Cockeysville, MD

Leigh Anne Chambers, Courtland, VA

Emma Childs, Baltimore, MD

Caleb Kortokrax, Baltimore, MD

Khanh Le, Washington, D.C.

Stephen Towns, Baltimore, MD

A public opening will be held on Friday, June 8, from 6-8pm. Gallery B is located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E in downtown Bethesda. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 12-6pm.

The competition jurors are Sally Bowring, Professor of Painting and Director of Administration for the Painting & Printmaking Department, Virginia Commonwealth University; Laura Roulet, independent curator and writer and Bill Schmidt, artist and winner of the 2016 Baker Artist Awards and the 2015 Bethesda Painting Awards.

The Bethesda Painting Awards was established by my good friend and local business owner Carol Trawick in 2005. Ms. Trawick has served as a community activist for more than 25 years in downtown Bethesda and established The Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation in 2007. She is the former Chair of the Maryland State Arts Council, Strathmore, Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc. and founder of The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards.

For more information, please visit www.bethesda.org or call 301-215-6660.

 

Previous Best in Show winners include:

2017 Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann, Washington, D.C.

2016 Tanja Softic, Richmond, VA

2015 Bill Schmidt, Baltimore, MD

2014 Kyle Hackett, Baltimore, MD

2013 Barry Nemett, Stevenson, MD

2012 Ali Miller, Baltimore, MD

2011 Alison Hall, Roanoke, VA

2010 Nora Sturges, Baltimore, MD

2009 Camilo Sanin, Jessup, MD

2008 B.G. Muhn, North Potomac, MD

2007 Matthew Klos, Baltimore, MD

2006 Tony Shore, Baltimore, MD

2005 Joe Kabriel, Annapolis, MD

Call for Artists

Deadline: May 21, 2018

 

Budget: Project budget, including materials, fabrication, installation, travel and expenses, is $75,000. 

 

Selected artists will be paid a stipend of $1,000 to develop their proposals and accompanying support materials, including story boards, maquettes, etc. Eligibility: Professional artists and design professionals are invited to apply as an individual or a team. Preference will be given to artists who have public art experience and are residents of, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland or Montgomery County, Maryland. Selection Process and Criteria: Three artists/artist teams will be selected to develop proposals for the project. They will meet for preliminary briefing with the Art Advisory Panel, as well as potentially with members of the Peppermill Community, after which they will each be paid a stipend of $1,000 to develop their proposals. After the proposals are developed, the selected artists/teams will be required to present their design proposal and maquette for review by the Art Advisory Panel and others. After the review process is completed, the final selection of the artists/teams for issuance of a contract for production of the artwork will be made.

 

For additional information, visit here.

 

Qualifications must be submitted to: https://m-ncppc.submittable.com by 12 Midnight on May 21, 2018. For issues accessing PDF or questions: Please Contact: ALEC SIMPSON, alec.simpson@pgparks.com; Countywide Visual and Public Art Coordinator, 301-446-3237, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Art Scam Alert!

Beware of this rip off artist... if you want to know how the scam works... use the search box to the left and search for "art scam."

From: thomasfred500500@engineer.com

Top of the Morning to you, I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes some of your art piece, I must also say you are doing a great job. I would like to know what inspired that work. I am very much interested in the purchase to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate art work for sales.(Thomasfred500500@gmail.com) Regards Thomas

Also this one:

 From: online-oceanengineer@tfred.com

 Good Day Im Thomas Fred From NC. I observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes your piece of art work, I'm also impressed to have seen your different piece of works too, : ) You are doing an amazing job.I would like to receive more information about your piece of artwork and what inspires you. I am very much interested in buying a piece of art ,to surprise my wife. Kindly reply for the immediate art work for purchase ?? (Thomasfred5050@gmail.com) Best Regards Thomas

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Request for Applications

Request for Applications

FY 2019 Project Support and Fellowship Grants

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) invites the submission of applications from qualified individuals and organizations for the following FY19 grants programs (all times EST):

Grants for Organizations Only

Arts and Humanities Education Projects

Application Deadline: June 8, 2018 at 4 pm 

East of the River Projects

Application Deadline: June 8, 2018 at 4 pm 

Upstart

Application Deadline: June 15, 2018 at 4 pm 

Field Trip Experiences 

Application Deadline: June 22, 2018 at 4 pm 

Facilities and Buildings

Application Deadline: July 27, 2018 at 4 pm

Grants for Individuals Only

Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program

Application Deadline: June 1, 2018 at 4 pm

Curatorial Grant

Application Deadline: July 27, 2018 at 4 pm

Grants for Individuals and Organizations

Projects, Events, or Festivals (Cycle 1)

Application Deadline: June 8, 2018 at 4 pm

Sister Cities Grant

Application Deadline: June 15, 2018 at 4 pm

Art Bank Program

Application Deadline: July 20, 2018 at 4 pm

Grant application guidelines are available online.

FY19 Grants Introduction Sessions 

CAH is coming to your ward! Join us at a free information session to learn about these FY19 funding opportunities for individuals and organizations. The FY19 Grants Introduction will be presented in all 8 wards of the District this week. View the complete schedule.

Spanglish Ops

"Estoy limpiando", said my friend the other day as we chatted after a chance meeting at the Supermarket.  

Felix is a transplanted New Yorkrican, which is a key clue to this story.

In Spanish, "estoy limpiando" means "I am cleaning." 

"Que hay sucio?" I asked him a little puzzled ("What's dirty?").

Now he was the one looking puzzled... then it dawned on him.

He looked a little sheepish as he switched to English and told me that his foot hurt.

I was puzzled again; our conversation had skidded off the road somehow... then it dawned on me and I smiled.

Felix had taken the English verb "to limp" and added a Spanish ending to Spanglasize the verb to "limpiando" - a Spanish vern whose meaning is "to clean."

I smiled as I explained to him the whole thing... he laughed as well and then asked me what the Spanish word for "limping" is.

I searched my brain for a while looking for it... it didn't float easily at first.

"You can say 'estoy cojo'... or 'estoy medio cojo', I suggested... 75% sure.

He nodded as he grabbed a jar of Pace Picante salsa from a giant offering of a million real Mexican salsa jars.

How to Be a Better, Happier and More Confident Artist

Artwork Archive recently had the opportunity to travel to the Plein Air Convention and The Art of the Portrait Convention to talk with hundreds of artists about their work and path as professional artists. 

There were many talks about what paint brand or brush model to use, but there was also a great deal of personal advice.

Read the whole article here.

Beauty at the art fair

"Beauty at the art fair", c.2017 by F. Lennox Campello, C-Print 30x40 inches, edition of 5.

Check these out and think in feet

What do you see? See them as in feet scale... the last image tells you what they are...

The amazing work of the Kinderkids at SFS Lower School, where they are lucky to have a rockstar teacher (Ms. Sabreena Jeru-Ahmed).

SFS Lower School show

All that I've got to say is that kids at SFS Lower School have a spectacular art rockstar for a teacher (Ms. Sabreena Jeru-Ahmed)!

Here are some pics that I took of the show...