Gilliam at the Corcoran

I can't wait to see what Jonathan Binstock has done with the Sam Gilliam Retrospective at the Corcoran.

Mark your calendars, as that exhibit opens Oct. 15 and runs through Jan. 22 of 2006, and it is (incredibly enough) Gilliam's first retrospective.

As Binstock wrote his doctoral dissertation on Gilliam, if anyone is qualified to organize a retrospective for Sam, it is Jonathan.

And kudos to the Corcoran for looking in its own backyard.

Other area residents who are worthy of a show and/or a retrospective (in my opinion) include Manon Cleary, Joe Shannon and our own John Winslow.

Like Gilliam, they have created great, lasting art in the District for decades and decades, and (like Gilliam) have been generally ignored by our "national" museums.

Free Press for All or Free-for-All?

Thursday, September 22, at 7 p.m. in the William G. McGowan Theater.

Blogging: Free Press for All or Free-for-All?

In honor of Constitution Day, the Newseum and the National Archives present a program examining how technological advances are reshaping interpretation of the first amendment, which guarantees, among other things, free speech and free press.

It has been said that the power of the press belongs to the person who owns one. Today, as the Internet turns desktops and laptops into personal presses, first amendment rights are challenged, and a power shift seems to be under way. Bloggers are staking a claim to "grassroots journalism," and print and broadcast journalists are looking to the future and wondering where their reporting skills fit in.

What’s credible? What’s not? And, just how far does the first amendment protect this new wave of journalism? Frank Bond of the Newseum and former Channel 9 anchor will moderate a discussion with Robert Cox, president of the Media Bloggers Association and managing editor of "The National Debate"; Bruce Sanford, a first amendment lawyer with the D.C. office of Baker & Hostetler, LLP, and chairman of the board, the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression; Jay Rosen, chairman and professor of journalism at New York University ; and Deborah Potter, president and founder of NewsLab as they examine the issues on the line when technology meets traditional journalism.

Reservations required by emailing them here. All programs are free and open to the public. The National Archives is located between 7th and 9ths Sts. on Constitution Ave, NW. Use the Special Event entrance just off the corner of 7th and Constitution Ave.

Rousseau and O'Sullivan on Trawick Prize

Dr. Claudia Rousseau reviews the Trawick Prize.

Read the review here.

And the WaPo's Michael O'Sullivan reviews the top prizewinner of the Trawick Prize here.

P.S.

1. Where is the WaPo's Style section major (large, or more than 50 words) review of (in my opinion) our area's most important (and influential... details to follow) juried art exhibition? Fer Christsakes... This is the 3rd year of this prize! C'mon Pancake! C'mon Heard!

2. Where is the WaPo's feature on Olga Viso ascending to the top rung at one of the nation's top museums?

This is why the Post's Style section's anemic coverage of our area's visual arts draws so much criticism for that newspaper in general: [with one notable exception] An astounding lack of attention and (by now) an expected lack of interest (and knowledge) of what makes Washington area visual arts "tick."

Arts Job

Director, Vienna Arts Society.

The VAS, a prestigious art society, seeks a candidate with managerial experience and a love of art to fill a p/t position as director of a fast growing arts center in Vienna, VA.

The director is responsible for the day to day operation of the Center, including: ensuring that it is staffed during business hours; serving as liaison with the public; handling all bookkeeping; scheduling and supporting all activities at the center. In addition, the director identifies and promotes services provided by the VAS, such as art classes, workshops, space rental, and private and member shows. This position reports to the executive board of the Vienna Arts Society. Work Schedule and salary to be discussed.

Skills and Experience:
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and oral
• Marketing experience
• Self starter with flexibility and attention to detail
• Computer and office skills
• Experience managing others
• Experience with volunteer and non-profit organizations

History: VAS was founded in 1969 as a non-profit organization bringing artists and people interested in the arts together for developing and promoting local art and related activities.

Towards that end, VAS, through its Art Center on Pleasant Street and the gallery in the Village Green Shopping center, manages a broad variety of programs, workshops, classes, and trips.

Please email resume here.

A Taste for Art

Just back from jurying the prizewinners for the $1000 prize money for "A Taste for Art."

"A Taste for Art" is a cool art and food marriage of a party that takes place at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria to raise funds for the Factory and hosted by The Friends of the Torpedo Factory.

It involves a great art auction as well as loads of great food from most of Old Town's top restaurants. It takes place on Friday, October 14 from 7:30-10:30PM and tickets are available by calling 703-683-0693 or emailing them here.

EarthRights International Fundraiser

Dan Fatton, the Major Gifts Coordinator at EarthRights International, is looking for donations for their 10th Anniversary Silent Auction Fundraiser.

The event will be held on Friday, October 21, 2005, at the WVSA Arts Connection from 7 pm to 11 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Dan at EarthRights International at 202-466-5188 ext. 106 or dan@earthrights.org.

Dan Fatton
Major Gifts Coordinator
EarthRights International
1612 K St. NW, Suite 401
Washington, DC 20006
tel: 202-466-5188 ext. 108
fax: 202-466-5189
dan@earthrights.org.

AU Lecture

Dr. Lisa Farrington, who just wrote "Creating Their Own Image: The History of African-American Women Artists," will be lecturing at AU this Friday, the 23rd, at 8pm in the recital hall of the Katzen Art Center.

She will be discussing African-American Feminist Art. Details here.

Bailey Interview

The Reston Observer with an interview of Bailey and his experiences with Katrina's damage in New Orleans.

Read it here.

Annual Hispanic Heritage Competition for Artists

Deadline: Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Open to all local artists, this competition is designed to showcase the interpretation of rich and diverse Hispanic heritages in U.S. communities. All artists from the Greater Metropolitan Washington Area are eligible. Top prize: $3000 and extensive local and national promotion.

For details on how to enter, please visit this website or call 800.989.2860.

For more info:
Hispanic Yellow Pages Network
Arte de America Hispana
2721 Prosperity Avenue Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22031

Call for Drawings

Deadline: Friday, October 7, 2005

Arlington Arts Center: Drawing: Tradition and Innovation

Exhibition Dates: November 15, 2005 to January 7, 2006

All artists living or working in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Delaware are invited to enter. Drawings in any media on any kind of ground will be considered. No size restrictions, but work must fit through a standard double doorway. Outdoor works will also be considered.

Artists may submit slides or CD, application form, resume, and application fee.

To obtain more information or to download a prospectus, visit their website here, or call them at 703.248.6800.

For more info:
Arlington Arts Center
3550 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201

Opportunity for Photographers

Deadline: October 1, 2005.

The League of Reston Artists (LRA)/Reston Photographic Society (RPS) announce their 2005 Call for Entry for its Annual Judged Photography Exhibition. This exhibition will feature $300 in prize monies awarded at the judge’s discretion.

Juror: Charles A. Veatch: As a fly fisherman and lover of nature, Veatch began photographing the beautiful scenes around him from the Florida Keys to the outback of Alaska. Photography soon became his passion and in 1999 he published his first book, The Nature of Reston, about the fauna and flora of this celebrated “New Town” in Virginia. His creative images have appeared in many publications including a cover story in Nature’s Best Magazine in 2003 which took an artistic look at the landscape of the American southwest.

Veatch is a past president of The Northern Virginia Photographic Society and is a frequent judge and lecturer on photography and visual design. He has also been a guest curator for the Greater Reston Arts Center where he serves on the Board of Directors.

How: This call for entry is limited to a maximum of two framed photographs. The entry fee for LRA/RPS members is $15. This exhibition is restricted to members of the LRA/RPS. Membership in the LRA/RPS is $25 per year.

The entry form can be downloaded from the LRA’s website here. Send completed entry form to the LRA, POB 2513, Reston, VA 20195. Entry forms must be postmarked no later than September 29.

Entries sent by mail must be received by October 1; entries will also be accepted at the door when artwork is dropped off. Please send your entry form and a check made payable to League of Reston Artists to LRA, PO Box 2513, Reston, VA 20195.

Drop off entries at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, Jo Ann Rose Gallery on Monday, October 3, 10–11 AM.

For directions to the Jo Ann Rose Gallery, see the LRA’s website.

Viso

The Miami Herald with an excellent article on our own Olga Viso.

Read it here.

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline October 14, 2005

AFRICA! Juror: Martha Jackson-Jarvis - This exhibition is open to all artists working in all media in the United States and abroad. Works can relate to contemporary and/or historical notions of Africa. Artists may respond to the theme freely, and are encouraged to present work that challenges traditional definitions and understandings.

Show dates January 18- February 19, 2006. Entry fee $30.00 for 3 images (slide or CD).

For a prospectus call 703-838-4565 ext. 4, or E-mail: targetgallery@torpedofactory.org, or send a SASE to:

Target Gallery
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 North Union Street
Alexandria VA 22314

Mojica Opens at Emma Mae

The Emma Mae Gallery has an opening this coming Friday for Brooklyn artist Marily Mojica.

Mojica, who is a self taught artist born of Puerto Rican parents, is a visual artist, doll maker, and a restorer of old furniture and lamps.

The Visions of Marily opens Friday at the Emma Mae Gallery and you can meet the artist and view her works at the reception on Friday, September 23, 2005 from 6-8pm. The exhibit runs through October 8, 2005.

Richmond Gallery Seeks Director

Executive Director for the 1708 Gallery in Richmond, VA.

This non-profit contemporary art gallery is seeking a full time executive director to "lead nationally recognized financially sound organization to the next level."

Requires Masters degree +2-5 yrs or equivalent in fundraising, grant writing, management of arts programs, staff, volunteers and public relations. Position reports to active Board. EOE/AA. Benefits. For details visit this website.

Salary: 35K to 40K.

Send cover letter, resume and references to:

Search
1708 Gallery
P.O. Box 12520
Richmond, VA 23241

No phone calls.

Grants for Young Artists

Deadline October 26, 2005

Grants are currently available for DC artists between the ages of 18 to 30. The funds are available for arts projects and community service arts education projects. For an application and more info visit this website

New gallery I found

A while back, while passing through Chestertown, Maryland (for the first time ever), I unexpectedly ran into a really nice gallery with a very good exhibition going on.

It's the Carla Massoni Gallery and the show (which ends Sept. 24) is Point of Departure: The Structured and Unstructured Landscape, featuring work by Heidi Fowler, Elizabeth DaCosta Ahern, Karen Hubacher, Jessie Pollock, and Grace Mitchell.

Anyway, from now on, any visit to this area of Maryland should include a visit to this great gallery.

And talking about landscapes, Addison/Ripley Fine Art has a really good exhibit going on through October 15: Mary Page Evans: Mountains and Sea. If you are around Georgetown, you should also drop by and visit this show.

Warhol at the Corcoran

Warhol Legacy: Selections from The Andy Warhol Museum opens at the Corcoran on Sept. 24.

This exhibition is co-organized by the Corcoran Gallery of Art and The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh and made possible through the support of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Stacey Schmidt, Corcoran Gallery of Art Associate Curator of Contemporary Art and John Smith, The Andy Warhol Museum Assistant Director for Collections and Research are the curators for this show.

I'll be taking a look at it tonight at the preview, which I will be attending together with my good friend Lida Moser, whose own work is in the collection of the Corcoran.

Arts on Foot Report

Alexandra has a report on Arts on Foot.

Read it here.

Alligators (and a giant bunny)

I am super busy this week, with some deliveries and installations to take care of, as well as a massive amount of deadlines and work that has all come down to this week, as I have an unplanned trip to California next week.

More later... there are loads of terrific shows around town that needs some good mention and discussion.

Meanwhile, Michelle Banks sent me the below, which brought a smile to my face this morning:

Artists erect giant pink bunny on mountain

An enormous pink bunny has been erected on an Italian mountainside where it will stay for the next 20 years.

The 200-foot-long toy rabbit lies on the side of the 5,000 foot high Colletto Fava mountain in northern Italy's Piedmont region.

Viennese art group Gelatin designed the giant soft toy and say it was "knitted by dozens of grannies out of pink wool".

Group member Wolfgang Gantner said: "It's supposed to make you feel small, like Gulliver. You walk around it and you can't help but smile."

And Gelatin members say the bunny is not just for walking around - they are expecting hikers to climb its 20 foot sides and relax on its belly.

The giant rabbit is expected to remain on the mountain side until 2025.