WSS turns 30!

2016 Art Works for Virginia Conference Speakers and Topics

The 2016 Art Works Conference will be held on January 27th, 2016 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
The one day conference titled "Flourish! How the Arts Will Thrive and Grow in the Next Decade" will feature:

• a keynote address,
• plenary panel discussion
• a luncheon with entertainment from a Performing and Touring Roster artist
• 5 repeating break -out sessions
• 3 workshops
• a concluding reception

The entire program will take place in the Convention Center on the 27th. A limited number of rooms are being reserved for our conference at the Hilton Garden Inn across the street.  Please book early to secure the best available rates.

 

NOTE: The online "Early Bird" registration for our conference will be up and live later this month.

 

The list of topics and speakers so far include:

Keynote Speaker, Sheila Johnson, a nationally known business leader, arts patron, education advocate and a musician in her own right. She will speak on the theme in the title: what it will take for arts organizations to thrive and grow over the next ten years.

A Plenary Session Panel will include our 5 break-out session leaders discussing arts sustainability and the challenges for arts organizations over the next ten years. They will be highlighting the areas they will be covering in the afternoon sessions:

Nello Mc Daniel, Director of Arts Action Research: Strategic Planning that serves as a roadmap to success and achievement instead of an impediment to your mission.

Russell Willis Taylor, recently of the Center for Non-Profit Excellence: Building a Sustainable Business Model that works for non-profit arts organizations in an increasingly competitive market.

Margy Waller, Senior Fellow at Topos Partnership and Founder of Arts on the Streets: Partnerships that Work so you can team up with local business and government leaders to create cultural arts destinations and districts in your own area.

Sarah Cunningham, Virginia Commonwealth University: Key Fundraising Strategies and Resources That Get Overlooked to help you secure the dollars and the opportunities that you may not even know about!

Amy Nisenson, Director of the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation: Building the Board You Need for the Next Decade so you can achieve the outcomes to keep your organization successful and growing.

 

Our featured luncheon artist will be Victor Haskins and his trio. Victor is a member of the VCA Performing and Touring Roster.

 

After lunch, each of our 5 presenters will conduct 2 sequential break-out sessions on their respective topics.

 

For our mid -afternoon sessions we will host three concurrent, non-repeating workshops on the following topics:

 

Marketing: How to Attract and Retain a Loyal Following. What are the communication and branding strategies you need to flourish.

Arts Therapy and Community Partnerships for Military and Veterans. What do these populations really need and how can arts organizations help?

Arts Education Beyond the SOL's. How do you leave a lasting impression and a creative imprint with your educational outreach?

 

A final list of participating leaders for the workshops will be announced later in the month.

 

At the conclusion of the day, we hope you will stay and mingle for our social hour and networking reception.

 

Watch for further details and for our Early Bird Online registration later this month. And SAVE THE DATE OF JANUARY 27TH for "Flourish! How the Arts Will Thrive and Grow in the Next Decade".

 

On Columbus Day

If you think that you know early American history (I thought I did), then read A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World by Tony Horwitz and prepare to be left not only open-mouthed but well informed and armed with a spectacular knowledge of early American history seldom discussed in school.

"By the time the Pilgrims came to Plymouth, St. Augustine was up for urban renewal"

- Michael Gannon
Prof. of History
University of Florida

And ahhh... Mr. Damon Young... Columbus did NOT discover "our amazing country", in fact he never set foot in North America... cough, cough...

Art in Embassies Program

Established by the United States Department of State in 1964, the ART In Embassies Program is a global museum that exhibits original works of art by U.S. citizens in the public rooms of approximately 180 American diplomatic residences worldwide.

To submit images to ART staff for consideration in upcoming exhibitions please e-mail .jpg or .gif images of your works no larger than 50k in size, to: artinembassies@state.gov. Website: http://art.state.gov/default.aspx

Welcome to DC to Peter Nesbett: WPA's new CO

As I noted a few days ago, the WPA has a new Commanding Officer - here's their official news release:

Washington Project for the Arts is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Nesbett as our new Executive Director and the opening of Washington Produced Artists on November 14, 2015. This announcement comes on the eve of our 40-year anniversary and our upcoming move to The JBG Companies' Atlantic Plumbing development at 8th and V street NW, in the U Street Corridor and cultural district.

Peter's proven leadership and more than 20 years of experience with contemporary arts will further solidify WPA's place in the local, national, and international artistic community.

 

Upon taking office on November 2, Peter will enjoy a full immersion into the DC arts community by meeting with more than 100 artists in his first 100 days as Executive Director.

 

Prior to WPA, Peter was the Associate Director for Programs at The Pew Center for Arts & Culture, a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts in Philadelphia. He oversaw the capacity-building and professional development programs, while serving as the visual arts specialist. Peter's interest in programming for artists and arts professionals was originally seeded in the 1990s when he led the Seattle Art Museum's Contemporary Art Council and worked in its education department.

 

"Peter is the complete package. He's well educated, has deep curatorial experience, and he really 'gets' the contemporary and alternative visual arts scenes," says WPA Board of Directors member, Elise Hoffmann. "His compelling vision and commitment to centering WPA within the local arts community is just what we need right now."

Here's a good start for the 100 artists to meet (we'll since this is the DMV, by now around 90, since I am sure that about a dozen or so have already moved!

Lecture on Cuban Artists

The kid yapping about Cuban art at the Latino Art League last night...

Come to this tonight!

A discussion of the realities of Cuban history, life, and culture as viewed through the artwork of Sandra Ramos, Marta Maria Perez Bravo, Cirenaica Moreira, Aimee Garcia Marrero and Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons.

Washington ArtWorks | October 9, 2015 | 6:30 pm - 9 pm

12276 Wilkins Ave, Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 654-1998

Assistant Professor of Photography Wanted

Towson University
Deadline: Ongoing

The College of Fine Arts and Communication invites applications for a tenure-track, 10-month Assistant Professor of Photography in the Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education beginning August 2016.

Qualifications: MFA in Studio Art. Qualified applicants will demonstrate expertise in photography as defined broadly to include applied and conceptual issues and practices with experience in both analog and digital photographic processes. Additional experience with video, sound, installation, or other new media is welcome. Applicants should be conversant in the ways that technology is changing the nature of photography and shaping photographic practice. Possess a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and the aptitude to contribute to a collaborative working environment. Willingness to contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives, to incorporate new technologies into the curriculum and ability to work across disciplines is also a necessity. Teaching beyond the graduate teaching assistant level is preferred, while an active record of professional development is essential.

Responsibilities: Teach 4, four credit classes (6-7 course units) per academic year at undergraduate and graduate levels as assigned for the first year. Beginning the second year the workload reverts back to the -standard instructional workload of 5, four credit courses (7-8 course units). Advise majors and work collaboratively with other photo faculty in regard to budget, procurement and scheduling. Help manage the photography studio, darkroom and print center as well as help to maintain and oversee equipment, supplies and software.

Application process and full position listing can be found at: http://www.towson.edu/provost/provost/facultypositions/

Peter Nesbett at the WPA

Kim Ward's and Lisa Gold's contributions to the DMV's art scene will never be recorded in a book or TV documentary, but they are huge, and thanks to Al Gore's Internet, they have been recorded over the last decade here is this ass-kicking blog.

Thank you ladies, for steering the WPA through very rough seas. Most DMV area artists have no idea how much they owe you (Personally I owe Kim a fuckload of gratitude, as I met my wife in a show that I curated for the then "WPA/Corcoran")... The Kimster can never do wrong by me!

The WPA has a new leader, who not only has some big shoes to fill (cough, cough... as both Kim and Lisa have tiny feet) but also comes to the WPA as a re-energized artist organization.

Peter Nesbett (in this really good article by my arch nemesis Kristooon Kapppps) appears to be the right point guard for the WPA, and the Lenster welcomes him aboard.... Gotta admit though that I'm not a big fan of Darrow's pic of him (not your fault Darrow... it's the cross-arm staring pose that kills it)... but D-dude, you nailed it with my pic!

Nesbett has only just this month moved to D.C. from Philly, so his first order of business here is meeting the city’s artists—literally. Nesbett is looking to get an audience with 100 artists over his first 100 days on the job. He has a ton of programming ideas, he says, but he doesn’t want to lead with any of them—not until he gauges what at least 100 artists want the WPA to be doing.

Ok Pete... call me... I got a 11 ideas for you as to what the WPA should be doing to kick ass and take names in the nation's capital and other places... empirically-based ideas, not anecdotal or touchy-feely ideas... these are really gooooood ideas Pete! You've got my cell and email...

But above all: Welcome to the DMV! 

Lo que no mata... engorda!

The Song of the Mischievous Dog by Dylan Thomas

The Song of the Mischievous Dog by Dylan Thomas... as interpreted by a six-year-old:

Anderson Lennox Campello: I think of someone eating a hot dog, the guy who wrote this poem eating a hot dog.

 THERE are many who say that a dog has its day,
And a cat has a number of lives;
There are others who think that a lobster is pink,
And that bees never work in their hives.
There are fewer, of course, who insist that a horse
Has a horn and two humps on its head,
And a fellow who jests that a mare can build nests
Is as rare as a donkey that’s red.
Yet in spite of all this, I have moments of bliss,
For I cherish a passion for bones,
And though doubtful of biscuit, I’m willing to risk it,
And I love to chase rabbits and stones.
But my greatest delight is to take a good bite
At a calf that is plump and delicious;
And if I indulge in a bite at a bulge,
Let’s hope you won’t think me too vicious.

The UMW Video Wall is Seeking Video Art Submissions

Deadline: Ongoing

The UMW Media Wall is now accepting submissions for the 2015-2016 academic year.

The Wall is a one-of-a-kind moving image exhibition space located in the atrium of the Information and Technology Convergence Center at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA.

The Wall is a large scale high definition video canvas composed of 43 separate Prysm Laser Phosphor Display (LPD) tiles arranged into a freeform array that measures 10 feet wide and 12.5 feet tall. Every month a new artist or group show will run on a continuous loop for two weeks.

To submit your work please use the submission form at umwmediawall.com where you can also download the UMW Media Wall Mask to properly adjust your work to the Wall’s unique monitor configuration.

LINK: http://www.umwmediawall.com/

Opportunity for Women Artists

Call for Works: International Juried Exhibition "Being Her Now”
Salisbury University

Deadline: 11/09/15 Currently accepting submissions that explore Feminine Identity in the 21st century.

They are accepting all forms of media for this exhibition: 2d, 3d, video, film, design, new media, etc.
 
They are also looking for PERFORMANCE PROPOSALS for a live performance event to be held at Salisbury University on March 3, 2016. If your proposal is selected for inclusion in this event, you must be available on this date to perform at the University.

The selection jury is composed of six woman scholars and artists in the fields of art history, studio art, performance art, women’s studies and film studies.

See the full call and APPLY HERE: https://suartgalleries.slideroom.com/#/Login
For more information visit: http://www.suartgalleries.org

IDENTIFY: WILMER WILSON IV

CONNERSMITH is pleased to announce Wilmer Wilson IV's upcoming performance at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. Wilson's "Portrait with Hydrogen Peroxide Strips" will engage the artist's skin, the textured clearness of the strips, and the biochemical absorption of the hydrogen peroxide.

A photographic strobe light environment will further plasticize the temporal moment of portraiture.

It is the inaugural work for the National Portrait Gallery's new series Identify: Performance Art as Portraiture.

Details here. 

Art Scam Alert!

Beware of this mutant:

From:

Benard Martez (yppineda@fucsalud.edu.co)

Dear Friend

We are interested in your Goods which you displayed in the site and we want to

purchase some of the products on this site for our ref. please send us more 

information about your company for our ref. please send to our company 

official email: address:

Best Regards

 

Mr Benard Martez

Purchasing Manager

Nasatech Inter Co Ltd

Address: 07 Quatics blk

North CarolinaZip:710026

United state.

Tele :1-330-34367971

sale@nasatech-inter.com

First Lady Yumi Hogan hosts student art exhibition

In keeping with her commitment to support the arts, Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan, will host a special exhibition of artwork by Maryland students in the House of Delegates Office Building gallery space, now named “The First Lady’s Art Gallery.”

The First Lady started the gallery this year and the October exhibition will be the first of many. This will be a bi-annual event – with shows in the fall and in spring. 

The juried Inaugural Student Artwork Exhibition, will include three awards for outstanding accomplishment in visual art. A private reception is planned on Oct. 23. The exhibition will run through November 13.

The Maryland State Department of Education Fine Arts Office and the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) are working in partnership on this event.

My kudos to Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan!

Texas Contemporary: Last Day

Jodi Wash has been rocking down the house as art has been flying off the walls at the Texas Contemporary Art Fair in Houston (today is the last day).

Jodi has already cleared out my wall once, and has almost cleared it a second time! She has also cleared Georgia Nassikas wall once and has also moved two of her own major pieces.

These three Nassikas are staying in Texas!

Artists' Websites: Alma Selimovic

A while back I was the Chief Critiquer in David Mordini's and Sean Hennessey's new event "The Critique" at their Otis Street Art Project space and while there had the opportunity to meet and see the work of one of the resident artists: Alma Selimovic.

I was very impressed by the work of this very young European artist and a recent MFA graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philly and the Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

In fact, I was so impressed that we plan to bring her work to SOFA Chicago next month... so buy her now!

"Superfamily"
Lifesize, 2015 by Alma Selimovic

You can see more of Alma Selimovic's work here.

Taste of Bethesda Cancelled by Joaquin

We are sad to report that the 26th annual Taste of Bethesda, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, has been cancelled due to the inclement weather predicted for the weekend. 

Booth in Texas

In Texas y'all

We are at the Texas Contemporary ​art fair, which opens tomorrow at the George R. Brown Convention ​Center in Houston's Downtown district. Sixty galleries from around the world will come together to present the best in modern and contemporary art to a city known for its history of artistic patronage.

Texas Contemporary's fifth edition will include an unparalleled line-up of outstanding programming, offering exclusive access to Houston's top museums and private collections and a weekend of performances, talks, tours, ​panels, and parties. ​​  

Come visit us in booth 614! Work by Georgia Nassikas, Jody Walsh and yours truly!

 

 

2015 Exhibitors

 

ACA Galleries New York Adelson Galleries New York Alida Anderson Art Projects Washington DC Anonymous Gallery Mexico City Art Mûr Montréal Art Palace Houston AUREUS CONTEMPORARY Providence Barbara Davis Gallery Houston Barry Whistler Gallery Dallas Cardoza Fine Art Houston Casa Maauad Mexico City Charles A. Hartman Fine Art Portland Charlie James Gallery Los Angeles The Cynthia Corbett Gallery London David Shelton Gallery Houston DECORAZONgallery London/Dallas Denise Bibro Fine Art New York Devin Borden Gallery Houston Diagrama Mexico City Duane Reed Gallery St. Louis Edward Cella Art + Architecture Los Angeles Etherton Gallery Tucson Evan Lurie Gallery Carmel FMLY New York FotoFest & Houston Center for Photography Houston Galeria Enrique Guerrero Mexico City Galerie Nicolas Robert Montréal Gallery Sam Oakland

Gallery Sonja Roesch Houston The Hole New York Inman Gallery Houston JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY New Orleans Joseph Gross Gallery New York Kathryn Markel Fine Arts New York Kopeikin Gallery Los Angeles LAURA RATHE FINE ART Houston MARSO Mexico City Mindy Solomon Gallery Miami Moody Gallery Houston Morgan Lehman Gallery New York Octavia Art Gallery Houston Other Criteria New York Pan American Art Projects Miami Parque Galeria Mexico City RandallScottProjects Baltimore Revision Space Pittsburgh Rice University Art Gallery Houston Ro2 Art Dallas Samara Gallery Houston SPONDER GALLERY Miami steven harvey fine art projects New York TAI Modern Santa Fe UNIX Gallery New York/Houston Upfor Portland wall space gallery Santa Barbara Winston Wächter Fine Art New York Yautepec Mexico City Yvonamor Palix Fine Arts Houston ZK Gallery San Francisco