Superfine DC Opens Tonight!

Superfine! DC opens tonight at Dock 5 at Union Market on Halloween night. 

All the details of the fair here! 

LOCATION
Union Market
1309 5th Street Northeast
Dock 5 Event Space
Washington, DC 20002    MAP

I asked Alex Mitow, Director of Superfine! a few questions about the fair, DC and the DMV art scene:

What were your "lessons learned" from the inaugural DC art fair?

To be frank, I think the biggest lesson learned was a really positive one. We always had high hopes and expectations for DC as a market for the kind of art collecting experience we provide, but we were blown away by how excited and supportive the overall DC community was. We and our exhibitors learned not to pre-judge a city's taste in art and to really challenge the local market in terms of content, since a lot of works that veered towards risqué and very, very contemporary sold extremely well at last year's fair. DC's taste in art is as diverse as the city itself.

How many returning galleries and artists do you have in the second iteration of the DC art fair?

Around 40% of 2018 galleries and artists returned for 2019 and based on early renewal rates we're expecting 60-80% renewal for 2020. We expect booths at the 2020 fair to be nearly sold out by the end of 2019's fair. There are a lot of our favorites from 2018 who couldn't participate this year due to travel or other obligations, but will be returning in 2020. 

The Greater Washington DC area (known locally as "the DMV - for District, Maryland, Virginia") has one of the highest concentrations of wealth in the world, and a vibrant local art scene complimented by a terrific museum presence, and yet commercial art galleries and artists struggle to survive. As you acquire lessons and experiences in various cities doing the art fairs, what is your take on what's the "missing" part in the DMV art scene?

Honestly, we agree 100% with you on DC as a city that has the wealth, income, and interest to support a vibrant art scene. DC is a very viable market that's been overlooked by the big fairs. As I mentioned, our educated bet on DC last year paid off and we've doubled down on our investment into the city and the fair, which is our top-producing fair in the United States, by not only adding to the number of exhibitors but also bulking up our programming for this year's fair to include Superfine! X - an installation program featuring DC artist District Dodger, along with curated experiential works by artists selected by Philadelphia's Paradigm Gallery, and an interactive WunderCube co-designed by Sean Christopher Ward, one of our most frequent exhibiting artists (he hails from Wichita.) Hearkening back to my earlier point, I really think a key is not underestimating the diversity of potential collectors and their tastes in a city as vibrant as DC. We are also huge proponents of a transparent and inclusive art market which is something that I believe all of our exhibitors share with us, and even from what I've seen over the past year there have been a ton of amazing things going on in DC that share and promote our values -- with results that follow.

Can you highlight three exhibitors at the 2019 fair?


I'm always thrilled to work with Nina O'Neill at Monochrome Collective. She's done some amazing projects of her own in DC this year and is a fierce artist advocate (with great fashion sense to boot!) and I'm looking forward to her booth this year, which is focused on sculpture -- primarily by DMV artists including Gary Kret, Stefanie Lifshutz, Monroe Isenberg, and Michael West. 

Reach Beyond by Scott Hutchison

Oil Painting on Aluminum

17.5 x 29"

Scott Hutchison is another returning DMV artist, and I'm unabashedly in love with his surreal compositions. Lastly, New York artists Chloe Cockburn and her husband Marc Scheff are presenting a duo booth in DC's fair. They're a valued part of the Superfine! family and Marc also created a unique archival print that'll be gifted to our early bird Master Pass buyers. It's really neat how Superfine! has begun to turn into a family affair - we also have a mother and daughter sharing a booth (Phoebe and Caralena Paterson) and I'm excited to see how their unique styles play off of each other.

Opportunity for Artists

Calamity

Deadline: November 25, 2019. 

The Moon Gallery at Berry College welcomes up to three submissions to be considered for inclusion in Calamity, a juried exhibition with work that references the history and legacy of the Holocaust. Artists working with drawing, ceramics, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, or mixed media are encouraged to apply with work that reflects on how the Holocaust is remembered 70+ years later; responds to the current era of ignorance and denial of the Holocaust; confronts the rise of antisemitism; or counters manifestations of hate and intolerance by providing solace to the suffering. 

The Moon Gallery at Berry College performs a unique role in the region—located halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga—by providing innovative exhibitions and programming that often responds to the pressing issues we face today. With exhibitions like Calamity, students taking classes in the Art Program are supported and the local community is enriched. 

There is no fee to enter. 

Additional information and a link to submit work can be found here: https://www.berry.edu/juriedexhibition Contact Brad Adams with questions at: badams@berry.edu 

Free Bootcamp for Artists this Saturday!

As many of you know, for over a decade or so I have been teaching a course for artists and arts professional, that course, for the last few years has been known as “Boot Camp for Artists.”

That six hour seminar, which has been taken by over 2,000 artists and arts professionals from all over the Mid Atlantic is designed to deliver information, data and proven tactics to allow artists to develop and sustain a career in the fine arts.

In the past, I’ve also discussed the importance of artists having their work at the various art fairs held around the world, most notably during Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) week in the Greater Miami area.

Presentation is a huge part of an artist’s professional life, and more often than it should be, presentation is a detractor and takes away from the artwork.

Why am I discussing that here? Because before you start exploring the various ways to get your artwork invited to the “big dance” during ABMB week, as an artist you should be ready to play with the big dogs when it comes to all the tools of the trade needed to set foot in a world-class art fair.

It is not unusual for me to step foot in a gallery and see artwork which (at least from a presentation point of view) is “not ready” for primetime… this is getting to be rarer and rarer as galleries struggle to survive, but still there.

The seminar will be offered this coming Saturday, November 2 at Harmony Hall, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744 - courtesy of PG County and fully free to all artists - and lunch is included!

In its six hour format, the seminar covers a wide range of structured issues, including the below list, but essentially artists should at least be aware and explore:

1. Materials – Buying materials and strategies for lowering your costs, where and how to get it, etc.

2. Presentation – How to properly present your artwork including Conservation issues, Archival Matting and Framing, Longevity of materials, a discussion on Limited editions, signing and numbering, Prints vs. Reproduction, discussion on Iris Prints (Pros and Cons).

3. Creating a resume – Strategy for building your art resume, including how to write one, what should be in it, presentation, etc.

4. Juried Shows – An Insider’s view and strategy to get in the competitions.

5. How to take images of your artwork

6. Selling your art – A variety of avenues to actually selling your artwork, including fine arts festivals, corporate acquisitions, galleries, public arts, etc.

7. Creating a Body of Works

8. How to write a news release

9. Publicity – How to get in newspapers, magazines, etc. Plus handouts on email and addresses of newspaper critics, writers, etc.

10. Galleries – Discussion on area galleries including Vanity Galleries, Co-Operatives, Commercial Galleries, Non-profit Art spaces, etc.

11. How to approach a gallery – Realities of the business, Contracts, Gallery/Artist Relationship, Agents.

12. Fine Art Fairs – Discussion and advice on how to sell outwork at fine arts festivals, which to do, which to avoid, etc.

13. Resources – Display systems and tents, best juried shows and ones to avoid.

14. Accepting Credit cards – How to set up your art business.

15. Grants – Discussion on how to get grants in DC, Regional and National, including handouts on who and where and when.

16. Alternative Marketing – Cable TV, Local media

17. Internet – How to build your website at no cost, how to establish a wide and diverse Internet presence.

Boot Camp for Artists Seminar this Saturday

The Artists’ Boot Camp

Saturday, November 2nd, 10am-4pm , in the John Addison Concert Hall of Harmony Hall

Harmony Hall Arts Center presents Mr. Lenny Campello’s seminar, “The Artists’s Boot Camp”, open to all Prince George’s County artists, 16 and up.  Mr. Campello is the Greater Washington D.C. area’s pre-eminent art dealer, critic, consultant and blogger as well as artist. He designed his seminar to deliver information, data and proven tactics to artists, and to allow them to develop and sustain a career in the fine arts. Some of the topics that he will cover are, creating a resume, creating a body of work, selling your art, juried shows and news releases, just to name a few. 

The seminar is free and lunch is included. Seating is limited so please call 301.446.3251 or email stuart.diekmeyer@pgparks.com to register and provide lunch preference.

This seminar usually books very quickly, so I'd recommend that you RSVP as soon as possible! It is open to ALL artists - not just PG County residents!

We'll discuss:

As many of you know, for over a decade or so I have been teaching a course for artists and arts professional, that course, for the last few years has been known as “Boot Camp for Artists.”

That seven hour seminar, which has been taken by over 2,000 artists and arts professionals from all over the Mid Atlantic is designed to deliver information, data and proven tactics to allow artists to develop and sustain a career in the fine arts.

In the past, I’ve discussed the importance of artists having their work at the various art fairs held around the world, most notably during Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) week in the Greater Miami area.

Presentation is a huge part of an artist’s professional life, and more often than it should be, presentation is a detractor and takes away from the artwork.

Why am I discussing that here? Because before you start exploring the various ways to get your artwork invited to the “big dance” during ABMB week, as an artist you should be ready to play with the big dogs when it comes to all the tools of the trade needed to set foot in a world-class art fair.

It is not unusual for me to step foot in a gallery and see artwork which (at least from a presentation point of view) is “not ready” for primetime… this is getting to be rarer and rarer as galleries struggle to survive, but still there.

In its four hour format, the seminar covers a wide range of structured issues, including the below list, but essentially artists should at least be aware and explore:

1. Materials – Buying materials and strategies for lowering your costs, where and how to get it, etc.

2. Presentation – How to properly present your artwork including Conservation issues, Archival Matting and Framing, Longevity of materials, a discussion on Limited editions, signing and numbering, Prints vs. Reproduction, discussion on Iris Prints (Pros and Cons).

3. Creating a resume – Strategy for building your art resume, including how to write one, what should be in it, presentation, etc.

4. Juried Shows – An Insider’s view and strategy to get in the competitions.

5. How to take images of your artwork

6. Selling your art – A variety of avenues to actually selling your artwork, including fine arts festivals, corporate acquisitions, galleries, public arts, etc.

7. Creating a Body of Works

8. How to write a news release

9. Publicity – How to get in newspapers, magazines, etc. Plus handouts on email and addresses of newspaper critics, writers, etc.

10. Galleries – Discussion on area galleries including Vanity Galleries, Co-Operatives, Commercial Galleries, Non-profit Art spaces, etc.

11. How to approach a gallery – Realities of the business, Contracts, Gallery/Artist Relationship, Agents.

12. Fine Art Fairs – Discussion and advice on how to sell outwork at fine arts festivals, which to do, which to avoid, etc.

13. Resources – Display systems and tents, best juried shows and ones to avoid.

14. Accepting Credit cards – How to set up your art business.

15. Grants – Discussion on how to get grants in DC, Regional and National, including handouts on who and where and when.

16. Alternative Marketing – Cable TV, Local media


17. Internet – How to build your website at no cost, how to establish a wide and diverse Internet presence.

Harmony Hall
10701 Livingston Road 
Fort Washington, MD 20744

Wanna buy a real Frida Kahlo drawing?

Check this one out soon at auction in Sotheby's...

Munch's Spaniel?

11th Annual International Drawing Discourse Exhibition

Deadline: December 1, 2019. 

The University of North Carolina Asheville announces a call to artists for a juried art exhibition, January 17 - February 21, 2020 at the Holden Gallery at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. $2,000 in awards. 

Juror: William Beckman. In effort to support the breadth in contemporary drawing, media is open to any traditional or experimental drawing media welcoming both two or three-dimensional works, video and/or installation. Size is open to works that can fit through a standard set of double doors, 10'3" ceiling height and up to 42' for both floor and wall space. 

Open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older. All work must be original, completed in the past two years and cannot have been exhibited at UNC Asheville before. It is at the Juror's discretion to choose single or multiple works from each artist's submission. $30 for one image, $5 each additional image up to 6 images max (total $55 for 6 images). 

For more more info., go to: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=7143  Contact: tbeldue@unca.edu or call 828-252-6845. https://art.unca.edu/ 

A Salvador Dalí work stolen in broad daylight!

On Sunday, a Salvador Dalí work valued at $20,000 was stolen from Dennis Rae Fine Art, a gallery near San Francisco’s Union Square. The work, titled Burning Giraffe, is a hand-colored etching the great Surrealist executed in the 1960s. The etching was resting on an easel in the front of the gallery when it was stolen. Security camera footage showed the perpetrator walking down the street with the framed work under his arm after leaving the gallery.

Read the story here. 

Join Nueva Vida in the fight against breast cancer

Tonight, Saturday, October 19th, local, national and international artists will join Nueva Vida in the fight against breast cancer through a silent art auction at the Art Museum of the Americas. Approximately 66 artists from 19 different nationalities will be exhibiting over 100 pieces of art with a variety of styles and mediums, such as sculpture, painting (abstract and figurative), photographs, installation and digital media. 

 

This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire quality pieces under the retail price while simultaneously benefiting a good cause. Proceeds will benefit Nueva Vida, a unique organization helping the underserved Latino community in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Nueva Vida’s free cancer programs ensure that, among other activities, 1,444 disadvantaged Latinas receive cancer screenings every year.

Below is a link to the online catalogue because art is the language of health and our artists have touched their souls in creating their work.

To view the catalogue please click on this picture.

Call for artists

Chronicles of the African American Journey Through Fiber Arts

Deadline: October 31, 2019. 

The Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland is accepting submissions for fiber-based artwork for an upcoming exhibition titled Chronicles of the African American Journey Through Fiber Arts. The theme revolves around the lives of African Americans and the journeys they have taken to arrive where they are today. Artwork may include processes related to quilting, felting, sewing, beading and more. The exhibition runs, January 11, 2020 - March 1, 2020. 

The exhibition is open to artists 18 and older who reside in the United States. Artists should include a bio and artist statement with current contact information to be considered and may submit up to three pieces of artwork. Please include title, date, materials, dimensions, price, and at least one detailed image of the artwork. There is no entry fee. Artists’ whose work is chosen for the exhibition are responsible for dropping off and picking up artwork and/or postage and handling of delivery and return of their work. Montpelier Arts Center retains a 25% commission for any sold artwork. 

Submissions can be made through the online Submittable platform at: https://montpelierartscenter.submittable.com/submit You can find more information about the Montpelier Arts Center at arts.pgparks.com.

Call for Prince George’s Artists

I am pleased to share with and encourage you to apply to PG's newest call for entries and exhibition opportunity for Prince George’s County artists. This call is for Perspective: Prince George’s, the 2020 Annual Prince George’s Exhibition in Annapolis.  

This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Due to the nature of the exhibition space, only two-dimensional artworks that can be safely installed on hanging cables will be accepted. However, new for this year's exhibition, artists working in 3-dimensions; such as free standing sculpture, ceramics, found objects or any other medium or material that is molded, cast, carved, or assembled are also encouraged to submit high quality photographs of their work for consideration in this exhibition. If selected, a high quality print of the main face of the 3-dimensional work will be displayed in place of the piece. It will be the artist’s responsibility to print and frame the piece for display.

The exhibit will be at the Lowe House Office Building in Annapolis, MD from January 6 to April 6, 2020. All works to be included in the exhibition will be selected by Arts and Cultural Heritage Division staff with a focus in showing a broad range of artwork.

Click here for the flier that contains information for the exhibition and the application process.

All works for consideration must be submitted online at: 
m-ncppc.submittable.com. Please send any questions to Stuart Diekmeyer at stuart.diekmeyer@pgparks.com or Sara Caporaletti at sara.caporaletti@pgparks.com.

Nueva Vida Auction

During “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” local, national and international artists will join Nueva Vida (New Life) in a silent art auction and benefit cocktail reception (VIDART) honoring breast cancer survivors and caregivers. 

Nueva Vida is a 20-year-old support health network for Latinas with cancer. VIDART will be held at the renowned Museum of the Americas (AMA) in Washington, DC the evening of October 19th.

The below two pieces on broken bisque will be on the auction block. Bid for them here.

Eve Running Away from Eden

Frida Kahlo in Clouds

Curated by Irene Clouthier and Shanti Norris.

https://www.eventbrite.com/.../vidart-silent-art-auction.

For 2015auodel

2015auodel: Please send me a note to lennycampello@hotmail.com

Do this today!

Sunday, October 13, 2pm.

Lecture: Art with a Twist

Montpelier Art Center at 9652 Muirkirk Rd, Laurel, MD

Join me as I take a fun walk through art history that culminates in contemporary art where I will discuss the work of some DC area artists and our regional art scene, and answer questions.

Lecture is free and open to the public.

31st National Drawing & Print Competitive Exhibition

Deadline: January 15, 2020. 

Juror: Doreen Bolger, Former Director of the Baltimore Museum of Art. 

Awards: A minimum of $1,500 available in purchase prize awards. 

Exhibition dates: March 23 through April 24, 2020. 

Eligibility and Media: Drawing and prints (not photography) in any medium up to 60" high, framed, are eligible with no limitations as to color, surface, or materials. All drawings and prints must be original works of art. Each artist may submit up to 3 works online only. No mailed or emailed entries will be accepted. 

Entry Fee: A nonrefundable entry fee of $36.00 entitles the artist to submit up to three entries. 

Selection process: Initial jury will be of online submissions received by January 15, 2020. Notification will be by email on January 31, 2020. Accepted drawings and prints received by March 2 will be juried for purchase prize awards at the value set by the artist. 

Works selected for purchase prize awards will become the property of Notre Dame of Maryland University. 

Submit online here: https://artndm.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/52095

More information: ndm.edu/gormleygallery 

Texas Contemporary Art Fair

Texas Contemporary Art Fair Houston - Our awesome booth -- George R Brown Convention Center. Booth D27! Showcasing Jodi Walsh, Matthew Langley and yours truly!

Come to this free lecture tomorrow!

Lecture: Art with a Twist, Sunday, October 13, 2019, 2 pm
Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708

Join me as I take a fun walk through art history that culminates in contemporary art where I will discuss the work of some area artists (DMV, Baltimore, etc.). Lecture is free and open to the public. Please call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 to register.

Earlier on I challenged my FB peeps to nominate an area artist for me to discuss at the lecture - some of the ones already on my list: Sam Gilliam, Tim Tate, Tim Vermeulen, Rik Freeman, Mark Jenkins, Shanthi Chandra-Sekar, Joey Manlapaz, Percy Martin, Sharon Moody, Judith Peck, Schroeder Cherry, and others...

Joey Manlapaz

Schroeder Cherry

Rik Freeman

Eighth season of MPT’s Artworks series premieres October 18

Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) popular original series Artworks returns for its eighth season on Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. This fall, the 30-minute weekly series on MPT-HD will continue to feature a range of artistic themes from emerging and established creators in the region and across the country.

Throughout the 2019-2020 season, series host Rhea Feikin will be joined by a roster of co-hosts representing arts organizations from the greater Baltimore-Washington area. Guest hosts currently being scheduled include artistic directors and administrators from the Washington Opera Society; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Baltimore-based Strand Theatre; and Trade4Art, a bartering network that connects artists with tradespeople.

The Oct. 18 season premiere episode features the stunning work of Cervilio Amador, a Cuban defector and principal dancer for the Cincinnati Ballet.  After training at the National Ballet School of Cuba and joining the National Ballet of Cuba, Amador escaped from his the brutal Communist tyranny of his home country in 2003 to become a member of the Cincinnati Ballet. He has performed numerous lead roles in full length ballets throughout his career including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, King Arthur in King Arthur’s Camelot, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Peter in Peter Pan. Also featured during the season premiere are Scott Patterson of Afro House and Abraham Burickson of Odyssey Works, both Baltimore-based visionaries who use artistic expression to celebrate the power of imagination.

Other new Artworks episodes airing during the upcoming season include a range of quirky, famous, and fringe artists. Harpist Calvin Arsenia, pyrotechnic artist Lisa Friedrich, sculptor John Cross, and Baltimore-based poets Gayle Danley and Leslie Harrison are showcased, among many others. In addition to feature profiles, the eighth season of Artworks includes segments covering pop-up exhibits with local visual artists and local music to close episodes. A virtual gallery and an Art Talk about improvisation are also in the planning stages.

Each Friday evening Artworks episode is rebroadcast on Saturday at 8 p.m. on MPT2/Create and on Sunday at 6:30 a.m. on MPT-HD. For more information, visit mpt.org/programs/artworks/.

Major Funding for Artworks is provided by the Citizens of Baltimore County. Additional funding is provided by the Ruth R. Marder Arts Endowment Fund; The Robert E. Meyerhoff and Rheda Becker Endowment for the Arts; The E.T. Robert B. Rocklin Fund; and The Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation Arts Endowment in Memory of Ruth Marder.

Akemi Maegawa - Artist's Talk at MK Gallery

Akemi Maegawa, “Strong in the Rain, Strong in the Wind.”
October 5-November 1, 2019
Artist Talk: Saturday, October 19, 1-2pm

MK Gallery
1952 Gallows Rd Ste 202
Vienna, Virginia 22182
(703) 734-7777

This coming Sunday!

Sunday, October 13, 2pm.

Lecture: Art with a Twist

Montpelier Art Center

9652 Muirkirk Rd

Laurel, MD 20708

Join me as I take a fun walk through art history that culminates in contemporary art where I will discuss the work of some DC area artists and our regional art scene, and answer questions.

Lecture is free and open to the public.

Silent Art Auction for a GREAT cause!!!

Superfine! fair is back later this month!

More details later - meanwhile, read my review from last year's inaugural fair here.

Fair details here.

Later this month!

Sunday, October 13, 2pm.

Lecture: Art with a Twist

Montpelier Art Center

9652 Muirkirk Rd

Laurel, MD 20708

Join me as I take a fun walk through art history that culminates in contemporary art where I will discuss the work of some DC area artists and our regional art scene, and answer questions.

Lecture is free and open to the public.

Wanna go to an opening this Saturday?

Akemi Maegawa, “Strong in the Rain, Strong in the Wind.”
October 5-November 1, 2019
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 5, 5-8pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, October 19, 1-2pm

MK Gallery
1952 Gallows Rd Ste 202
Vienna, Virginia 22182
(703) 734-7777

Arlington Arts Center Short Term Studio - Call for Artists

Arlington Arts Center is now accepting applications for short-term studio space! The 600 square feet studio will be available from November 2019 through May of 2020 with 24-hour access, 365 days a year. Contemporary visual artists working in all media are welcome to apply. Selection criteria will include artistic merit, potential for community engagement, and diversity of media and artistic representation. Information regarding application materials can be found at the link below. 

For additional questions please email exhibitions@arlingtonartscenter.org and submit an application via https://arlingtonartscenter.org/residents/apply

New Interim Director for the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

The search for a permanent Executive Director is active and underway...

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) Board of Commissioners announces the appointment of Heran Sereke-Brhan as Interim Director for CAH. The agency's previous Executive Director, Terrie Rouse-Rosario, officially ended her incumbency on September 30, 2019. "I am appreciative of the work that Terrie has done in preparing the agency as it transitions to new independent status," said DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Chair Kay Kendall. "The Board of Commissioners and I support and look forward to working with Heran to keep the agency moving forward until a permanent Executive Director is identified." Interim Director Sereke-Brhan has been Senior Grants Officer for CAH since July 2017. Prior to joining CAH, she served as Deputy Director for the Mayor's Office on African Affairs. Over the past two decades, Interim Director Sereke-Brhan has worked at a number of cultural and educational institutions, including the Harn Museum at the University of Florida, Addis Ababa University, and the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art. She holds a PhD in History with a minor in African Art History from Michigan State University. The CAH Board of Commissioners will nominate, and with the advice and consent of the Council of the District of Columbia, appoint the new Executive Director for the agency. CAH has engaged DC-based recruiting firm POLIHIRE to manage the search process for the position

Wanna help me out?

Lecture: Art with a Twist
Sunday, October 13, 2019, 2 pm
Montpelier Arts Center
9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708

Join me as I take a fun walk through art history that culminates in contemporary art where I will discuss the work of some DC area artists. Lecture is free and open to the public. Please call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 to register.

Challenge to my reader peeps: Nominate an artist for me to discuss at the lecture - some of the ones already on my list: Sam Gilliam, Tim Tate, Rik Freeman, Mark Jenkins, Shanthi Chandra-Sekar, Tim Vermeulen, Joey Manlapaz, Percy Martin, Sharon Moody, Judith Peck, and others...

Send me a note or leave a comment if you wanna bring an artist up to my attention for me to discuss at the lecture.

What is going on at the DC Arts and Humanities Commission?

From the DC Cultural Forum:

Over the past few months, the Commission has been unfairly used as a political pawn by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser. Here are the highlights (as listed from WAMU's most recent article):

• Last fall, Mayor Bowser illegally appointed a director of the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities who slipped in an amendment to the grant agreement that recipients had to sign to receive funds. It would have banned “lewd, lascivious, vulgar, [or] overtly political” works, but it was scrapped within a week due to a backlash from the arts community.
• In April, the city introduced its long-awaited Cultural Plan, an inter-agency effort that laid out ways the city would support DC’s cultural economy. Some artists and cultural leaders said the document lacked a clear rollout plan and overemphasized loans over grants.
• Before yet another illegally appointed director resigned, she hired a number of senior positions with six-figure salaries, as the Washington City Paper reported.
• Late last month, Bowser introduced a new Creative Affairs Office to serve as an intermediary between the executive office and the Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
• At the same time, Bowser announced the return of the Mayor’s Arts Awards, which had previously been cancelled this year. In the past, the Arts Commission oversaw the awards and a panel would select the winners, but the program will now be under the purview of the Creative Affairs Office.
• In early September, the City Paper reported that Bowser’s office locked Arts Commission staff out of the agency’s vault of public art.

It's time for our community to speak up.

Here are things you can do right now to take direct action, with just one click: HERE