JFK at the NPG

Today the National Portrait Gallery will install a pastel portrait of President John F. Kennedy by Shirley Seltzer Cooper in honor of the centennial celebration of his birth.

 

The Portrait Gallery joins the nationwide celebration of the life and legacy of President Kennedy on the centennial of his birth, illuminating his contributions, policies and challenges he feared in the wake of the civil rights era and present. Kennedy’s portrait will be on view from May 19 through July 9 in the museum’s “Celebrate” space in the first-floor north gallery.

Lida Moser photos acquired by the NPG

The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC just acquired four more photos by the amazing Lida Moser (may she rest in peace). Lida's work is already in the collection of the NPG as well as the National Portrait Galleries of Britain, Canada and Scotland! We miss her and love her and are honored to run her estate.

They've acquired these photos:

• Judy Collins, gelatin silver print, 1961
• Charles Mingus, gelatin silver print, 1965
• Nell Blaine, gelatin silver print, 1968
• Aaron Siskind, gelatin silver print, 1949

 Lida once told me the story of how she photographed Siskind... apparently they were all in Central Park in New York to photograph a zoo or carousel that was being built, and Lida got more interested in Siskind's gestures as he prepared to frame his photographs, and started shooting him, instead of the assignment!

Look at the photo and see the clear and empty surroundings around Siskind, the mud, the water, the stream??? Does anyone know where in Central Park that would have been in 1949?

By the way, that photo is in the permanent collection of many museums, including 3-4 "local" museums here in the DMV. 

One day I will tell the story of the Judy Collins shoot... or even better, the Charlie Mingus shoot.

Aaron Siskind by Lida Moser, circa 1949

Thriving Artists - The Business of Art Workshop

In August Artists and Makers are hosting a "Thriving Artists - The Business of Art Workshop" with Carolyn and Wendy Rosen. It is an intensive two day workshop that provides amazing knowledge, resources, and guidance to artists at all stages of their careers. Details at the link:
http://artistsandmakersstudios.com/from-the-arts-business-institute-and-am-studios/

Worm Rescue Squad

With so much rain over the weekend, the Campello clan usually wanders around the neighborhood after the rains rescuing worms from the road and putting them back on the dirt - when I say "squad", I mostly mean that I point the worms out and Little Junes picks them up and puts them back on the lawn.

The Hat Show

If you are a DMV area artist, gallerist, art dealer, college/university art faculty, museum director or curator, and do not know who Steven Krensly is, then you are woefully out of tune with the DMV art scene.

Krensky is easily one of the most visible faces at nearly every DC area art opening or event - not just because he's a good looking feller (which he is), but mostly because of his haberdashery... and also one of the DMV's premier art collectors.

To say that the Krenskiester stands out in a crowd is a gross under-estimattion.

Krensky is really plugged into the scene - he attends nearly every student/MFA art show around the region, and often discovers artists waaaay before most gallerists, curators, etc.

And as a result, he also has the planet's largest art collection focused (mostly) on DC area artists. And when I say large... I mean humongous collection: 100s and 100s of artists.

Anywhooooo.... Krensky, together with his wife Linda, also often dabbles in curating some exhibitions and he's got a really interesting call for artists for his next one:

Artists and Makers Studios is proud to host The Wearable Hat Show – with Steven Krensky at both A&M locations

This exhibit, curated by Steven Krensky and a mystery juror, will offer artists in the metro area an opportunity to make a statement through the art of the hat. Pick a hat form, any hat will do. Paint it, stitch it, weld it, glue it, glass it, bead it, weave it together with wire or string or any old thing. Your hat can be a reflection of your daily creative process, make a political statement, it can be whimsical, flattering, or funny. It must be functional, but need not be comfortable. Your hat must be for sale!

Artists whose work has been selected will be shown at both locations – the Reception Gallery at Parklawn, and in our Wilkins Avenue Merge Gallery for this month long exhibit. Hats will be pinned to the walls, or displayed on pedestals, at the gallerist’s discretion. Artists & Makers Studios will take a nominal 25% commission on sales from this exhibit. The artist should insure their own work for the duration of the exhibit if necessary.

Submission Requirements
****Submissions due on or before August 1st before 4pm, notification by August 9^th.

Accepted work must be delivered to/and picked up from the assigned gallery, no shipments of artwork will be accepted.

Delivery date deadline, Sept 5th – 10-4 (Parklawn or Wilkins in Rockville)
Opening, Sept 8th from 6-9pm
Show ends Sept. 27th
Pick-up of unsold work Sept. 28th, 29^th, 30th – 10-4

Artists may submit up to 5 jpegs of their work for consideration. The curator will choose works appropriate for public display from among all of the works submitted, and will include as many artists as possible. An artist may have one or more works accepted for exhibit. All work must be available for sale, and functional.

All entries must be submitted electronically in JPG format only. Email your images along with the completed form below to: judith@artistsandmakersstudios.com Please type Hat Show and your last name in the email subject line. For example: Hat Show/heartsong.

Images should be sized at no more than 1024 by 768 pixels, and less than 1 megabite in disk space size. Image file names must include artist’s last name and title of the piece in the following format: 

(ArtistLastName_ImageTitle.JPG) example: vanGogh_StarryNight.jpg

Click here to get a pdf of HAT Call for Entries 2017

Artists & Makers Studios' shows!

Artists & Makers Studios Presents
“The Color of BOOM” with Terry Sitz
“In the Flow” with Cristian Ianculescu
“Unfinished – Small Work Paintings” with John J. Bruns

Artists & Makers Studios on Parklawn in Rockville will present three glorious exhibits in three galleries for the month of June. “The Color of BOOM” - Sparked by her childhood fascination with Christmas lights and fireworks, abstract artist Terry Sitz channels her passion for color onto large canvases heavily layered with paint and up-cycled ephemera. “In the Flow” with Cristian Ianculescu - Like water, women are the primordial source. They purify, bless and transform. Like water they flow over and around all obstacles, and, in the process, they change the world. “Unfinished – Small Work Paintings” with John J. Bruns - with an unfinished look, the collaboration between the artist and the viewer becomes paramount and a story can unfold in between the painter’s brush marks. When the imagination has room to play, the painting becomes more personal. Resident artists’ open studios round out the evening for visitors at Parklawn.

“The Color of BOOM”
“In the Flow”
“Unfinished – Small Work Paintings”

Opening Reception

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Friday, June 2nd, 2017

Artists & Makers Studios

11810 Parklawn Dr., Suite 210

Rockville, MD 20852

Additionally A&M is proud to present 3 exhibits at Artists & Makers Studios 2 at 12276 Wilkins Avenue in Rockville, just 9/10’s of a mile from the flagship location. “The Obsessions of F. Lennox Campello” in his first regional solo show in 8 years. “Shakes Expressions” With shaky hands, Florida artist Ken Radon reminds us all that creativity thrives with physical challenges. A solo exhibit for Montgomery County Camera Club member Arlene K. Polangin, exhibits in New Master’s Gallery, Gallery 209, and resident artists’ open studios round out the evening.

These exhibits at both locations open Friday, June 2nd, and continue through Thursday, June 29th, 2017.  Viewing hours are 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturdays, and Sundays/Mondays by chance or appointment.

Artists & Makers Studios on Parklawn Drive in Rockville, established in October 2014 by artist and arts community builder Judith HeartSong, is a 13,000 sq. ft. facility is home to 65 resident artists. Newly opened Artists & Makers Studios 2 on Wilkins Avenue in Rockville is a 23,000 sq. ft. facility with 76 resident artists and more to come. A&M Studios is dedicated to providing a supportive and vibrant environment for artists to realize their creative goals - through studio practice, collaboration, education, opportunities, networking and connecting with the community beyond our doors. 

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival is today and tomorrow

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
May 13, 10am - 6pm and May 14, 10am - 5pm

Located on Norfolk, Auburn & Del Ray Avenues, the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival will feature fine art created by 130 of the nation's best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants.

Admission to the festival is free and free parking is available in the public parking garage on Auburn Avenue. This event is held rain or shine.

Join them for a unique shopping experience in downtown Bethesda. Browse jewelry, furniture, painting, photography, sculpture and more. 

Again: Admission to the festival is free and free parking is available in the public parking garage on Auburn Avenue. This event is held rain or shine.


Cool date opportunity! See ya there!

More info.

Arcmanoro Niles

Arcmanoro Niles combines family and memory in his beautiful paintings of Washington, DC's North East neighborhood.  

In the 90s, Washington, DC was thought of as a great American city in decline. Crime and blight dominated representations of the city in the news media, and little was known about the lives of the city's majority black population. 

The artist Arcmanoro Niles, who grew up in Washington, DC, remembers it differently, and in a new solo exhibition, Arcmanoro Niles: The Arena, at Long Gallery Harlem, he explores his upbringing through striking paintings of life size black figures and abstract, lurking, Trickster-esque characters the artist calls "Seekers," all situated within the District's urban landscape. In Niles's paintings, the capital becomes a mise-en-scéne of orange moments mixing fantasy and realism to provide a window into the painter's childhood and the friends, family, and community that existed beyond the headlines.

Read this terrific review by Antwaun Sargent here. 

More Open Studios this Saturday

Hirshhorn Fêtes Five Washington Artists at Spring Gala

On Saturday, May 6, something very rare for a Washington, DC museum happened:

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden celebrated Washington's world-class community of artists and art enthusiasts with a festive evening gala recognizing prominent D.C.-based contemporary artists and Smithsonian collaborators Sam Gilliam, Linn Meyers, Maggie Michael, Jefferson Pinder and Dan Steinhilber, and marking the final weeks of the groundbreaking exhibition "Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors."

 

Hosted by Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton, Hirshhorn Board Chair Daniel Sallick, and Hirshhorn Director Melissa Chiu, the evening began with a glamorous cocktail reception amid Yayoi Kusama's dazzling Infinity Mirror Rooms and artist honoree Meyer's 360-degree installation "Our View from Here," followed by an elegant dinner on the Museum's third floor. The late-night party kicked off with decadent desserts and an electrifying light and sound performance work by D.C.-born, L.A.-based The Holladay Brothers, who choreographed the lobby's decor lighting in time to a live musical score.

 

During the evening, Smithsonian leadership toasted the honorees for their achievements in contemporary art. "As Washington's leading institution of modern and contemporary art, it is a tremendous honor to gather together such exciting creative minds who share our deep commitment to the city's diverse communities," said Chiu. "Since the Hirshhorn's founding more than forty years ago, artists are the foundation and inspiration for all that we do."

 

The annual event welcomed 350 guests, and raised $700,000 to support the Hirshhorn's future exhibitions and free public programs for all ages. The museum's 2017-18 schedule will feature a diverse group of contemporary artists whose work responds to global conversations in politics, culture and history, including German artist Markus Lüpertz, Swiss artist Nicolas Party, Russian artists Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, and American artists Yoko Ono, Theaster Gates and Mark Bradford.

Gala chairs: Robert and Arlene Kogod; Gala co-chairs: Mary and John Pappajohn; GardaWorld; Museum MACAN, Indonesia.

 

Attendees included:

 

Hirshhorn Trustees: Jay and Jill Bernstein; Tamra and Ken Bentsen; Marcus Brauchli and Maggie Farley; Calvin and Jane Lipton Cafritz; Stephan Crétier and Stephany Maillery; Trinh Doan and Michael Jermyn; John and Stephanie Foster; Aimee and Robert Lehrman; Aaron and Barbara Levine; Adam S. Metz and Martha Metz; Elizabeth Miller and Dan Sallick; Juliana Terian.

 

Notable guests: Ambassador Stuart Bernstein, former Ambassador to Denmark, and Wilma Bernstein; Josh and Lisa Bernstein; Kathleen Biden; Ambassador Herman Cohen, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and Suzanne Cohen; Marc and Lauren Cohen; Ambassador Frances Cook, former Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman; Ambassador Robert Gelbard, former Ambassador to Indonesia and Bolivia, and Alene Gelbard; Kate Goodall, S&R Foundation; Marly Graubard, Marie Claire; Larry and Anissa Grossman; Stephanie Hodor, curator; Phillippa Hughes, Pink Line Project; Katty Kay, BBC; Dr. Sachiko Kuno, founder of the S&R Foundation; Sydney Licht, artist; Tom Nides, former Deputy Secretary of State, and Virginia Mosley, CNN; Mono Schwarz-Kogelnik, artist; Virginia Shore, Art in Embassies; Benjamin Sutton, curator; Akio Tagawa; Lauren Wolchik, artist.

For your CV

In my "Bootcamp for Artists" series of seminars, one of the guerrilla tactics that I share and teach is how to build your art exhibition resume, and the key importance of having it for grants, residencies, and of course: sales.


Wanna add a group show to your resume and also contribute to a good cause?

CALL FOR POSTCARDS / DEADLINE MAY 19TH Wish You Were Here 16 A.I.R. Gallery's Annual Postcard Show A.I.R. Gallery is pleased to announce its 16th annual postcard show, Wish You Were Here, which will take place in the entry gallery of our Plymouth Street location from May 25 - June 25, 2017. This inclusive event both raises valuable funds for A.I.R. programs and makes affordable artwork available to the public. Past Wish You Were Here exhibitions have included work by notable artists like Mary Beth Edelson, Dottie Attie, Mary Grigoriadis, and Barbara Zucker. We invite artists from all over the world - female / male / cis / trans / gender nonconforming / neutral -  to participate by donating 1 postcard-sized work (4 x 6 inches) in any medium. Each original work is sold for $45 on a first come first serve basis and the buyer will take the work with them at the time of the sale. All proceeds go to benefit A.I.R. programming and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. FREE ENTRY & ALL WORKS ACCEPTED! For more information and to submit work for the annual postcard show, click here. Deadline is May 19, 2017 at 6pm.

Wanna go to an opening tomorrow?

GODS, HEROES & FOOLS
Thursday, May 11th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
The Art League 105 N Union St, Alexandria, VA

The curious case of Miro at the NGA and McGlone at the WaPo

Whitmore’s query highlights a question that arises frequently in museums: How do curators decide what to display? Such decisions are the cornerstone of a curator’s job, said Harry Cooper, head of the National Gallery’s department of modern and contemporary art. “Generally, it’s a fun kind of puzzle to put together,” he said.  

It can be fraught with tension, however, especially because only a small fraction of any museum’s collection ends up on display. The National Gallery of Art has almost 148,000 works in its permanent collection, and only 2,834 are on view.

Read the whole WaPo article by Peggy McGlone here.


BTW: Did anybody in the DMV know that "Peggy McGlone joined the Washington Post in 2014 as its local arts reporter. Prior to that, she covered the arts for The Star-Ledger in New Jersey for more than a decade."


The reason that I find that description from the WaPo's website laughable is that from a quick look at what McGlone has been assigned to cover so far (see that here), it seems like the vast majority of her "local arts reporting" has been on area museums' stories (such as this really good one on Miro's tapestry), but precious little on the "local arts scene" which is a helluva lot more that museum stories.


I'd like to see McGlone start covering some other local arts stories besides museums or otherwise the WaPo needs to change her duties' description to: "Peggy McGlone joined the Washington Post in 2014 as its local art museums' scene reporter. Prior to that, she covered the arts for The Star-Ledger in New Jersey for more than a decade."


Makes me wanna call my good bud and peeps Jeff Bezos and complain to him about this.

Open Studios in the Gateway Arts District

Open Studios in the Gateway Arts District Saturday, May 13, 12-5

See the work of dozens of DC's best artists.

Details here.

An After Party follows at Gateway Arts Center, hosted by the 39th Street Gallery and Brentwood Arts Exchange.

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival next weekend

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
May 13, 10am - 6pm and May 14, 10am - 5pm

Located on Norfolk, Auburn and Del Ray Avenues, the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival will feature fine art created by 130 of the nation's best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants.

Admission to the festival is free and free parking is available in the public parking garage on Auburn Avenue. This event is held rain or shine.

Join them for a unique shopping experience in downtown Bethesda. Browse jewelry, furniture, painting, photography, sculpture and more. 

Again: Admission to the festival is free and free parking is available in the public parking garage on Auburn Avenue. This event is held rain or shine.

Cool date opportunity! See ya there!

More info.

Shadow/Casters at the HH

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will partner with local arts organization Transformer to present "Shadow/Casters," an after-hours performance art event on the Hirshhorn's outdoor plaza Saturday, June 10, 7:30-11 p.m. Guests will be invited to explore the museum during special extended hours, enjoy a cash bar and music on the plaza, and take in four site-specific performances that creatively explore abundance, transition and community through contemporary storytelling and ritual.

Coinciding with Transformer's 15th anniversary and the approaching summer solstice, "Shadow/Casters" features one-night-only performances by Washington-based artists Jason Barnes (Pussy Noir), Alexandra 'Rex' Delafkaran, Kunj Patel and Hoesy Corona.

"Shadow/Casters" will take audiences on a visual journey through culture, time, and space with a variety of immersive performance styles, including dance and drumming. The evening culminates as the moon emerges, with a three-story tall performance that transforms the Hirshhorn's iconic round building into a physical shadow theater and creates a spectacular display of light and shadow, designed to be experienced by the crowds gathered below.  

Tickets are $18, and will be available online May 9. "Shadow/Casters" is presented in conjunction with D.C.'s annual Capital Pride festival, held June 8-11, and in partnership with Smithsonian GLOBE (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Employees).

Silent Auction Fundraiser

The Zenith Community Arts Foundation Cordially Invites You to 

A Silent Auction Fundraiser Event!

To Support ZCAF's Hands' on Workshop (HOW) Programs

Sunday, May 7, 5:00-8:00 pm

At the Washington Ethical Society

7750 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20012  

Don't miss out! ... ONLINE Auction ongoing from now until Sunday, May 7, 3:00 pm est.

CLICK HERE to go to Online Auction

Many more items are up for auction including spa treatments, legal services, 

restaurant certificates, gift cards, and more. 

Food for the event provided by CUBA CUBA Gallery Cafe.
Music by guitarist, Bill Freed.

Honorary Chairpersons: Ward 4 Councilman, Brandon Todd, and Councilman At-Large, Robert White

Hosted by Ron Nessen, who served as White House Press Secretary for President Gerald Ford, 1974-1977

Guest Speakers: Kay Kendall, Chairman of the D.C. Arts Commission, and Linda Donovan Harper, Board President of the D.C. Education Collaborative

Click Here to:  PURCHASE 1 TICKET

Click Here to:  PURCHASE 2 TICKETS

Click Here to make a tax deductible in the amount of your choosing:  DONATION

THANK YOU!

Austin Shull at Micro Gallery

Metro Micro Gallery Presents: 

Austin Shull

Reflections on Ardor

May 6^th – June 10^th, 2017

Curated by Cara Rose Leepson 

Opening Reception: Wednesday May 10^th 7pm

Reflections on Ardor presents a site-specific installation created by Washington, DC based artist Austin Shull which questions dominant tropes of romance and passion. The global allure of love and romance have been magnified by mass consumerism and often, the expectations of these sentimental feelings are skewed by reality. Utilizing a teleidoscope to abstract stereotypical romantic photographic imagery, Shull deconstructs the surface level idealism of romance and engages the viewer by questioning their own personal reflection and participation in this reimagined, seemingly romantic scene. 

“For instance, a common image that comes to mind when thinking about romance is a stock picture of a couple walking down the beach holding hands, or perhaps kissing as the ocean waves lap at their feet. Does this unknowingly become the imagery on which we base our desires and fantasies, and in so doing begin a search for qualities of life founded in dislocated representations.” – Austin Shull

Austin Shull is a multi-disciplinary artist, native of Washington, DC and has been a resident at Arlington Art Center since 2015. He attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture summer of 2008, and the Whitney Independent Study Program 2007-2008. Shull received an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in 2007 and a BA from the Bard College in 2001. He has exhibited work nationally and internationally at venues including the Cooper Union, Syracuse University, International Print Center, Pratt Institute, Nurture Art, and Exit Art.

Guest Curator Cara Rose Leepson brings her vision into this exhibit. She is now part of the pay it forward initiative of Metro Micro Gallery. We welcome her effort in mentoring and guiding Austin Shull in this unique space. Leepson moved to Washington, DC from Charleston, South Carolina in 2010 to pursue her MA in Art + Museum Studies at Georgetown University. Prior to joining the staff of Transformer in early 2016, she worked for a number of arts organizations in DC including Hillyer Art Space and Glenstone Foundation.

Metro Micro Gallery is committed in creating opportunities that will inspire more creative collaborations and enrich our community. 

A experimental gallery that encourages creative collaborations and a respect for diversity through inclusive, non-conventional exhibits and showcases. A small space with big mission, the Metro Micro Gallery offers exhibits and programs to strengthen and sustain our community.  

Barbara Januszkiewicz is the sponsor of Metro Micro Gallery. This is part of the outreach of her studio practice that includes mentorships within the creative community. Plus an effort in supporting public awareness for visual art practitioners. Pay it forward.

Metro Micro Gallery is located at 3409 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA. For more information visit www.metromicrogallery.com. 

Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/919101374899674/

Bettie Page for a great cause!

Wanna bid on this gorgeous Bettie Page? - all for a good cause!

Details and bidding here.


#bettiepage #thenotoriousbettiepage

New Studios in the DMV

open may 5 and 6, 10-6 pm

and

spring art walk
Friday may 5, 6-8pm
MICHELINE KLAGSBRUN
raye leith
joe hall
the tuesday night group

1662 33rd street NW in georgetown
 

SPRING ART WALK:
Seven galleries will host an evening stroll and a viewing of their fine art

exhibitions in the most beautiful part of Washington, DC.

WWW.GEORGETOWNGALLERIES.COM