Congratulations to Oletha DeVane!

Congratulations to Oletha DeVane of Ellicott City, MD, the 2019 Trawick Prize Best in Show Winner! 

Additionally, Mojdeh Rezaiepour of Washington, D.C. was named 2nd place; Renee Rendine of Towson, MD, 3rd place and Monroe Isenberg of Washington, D.C. was named the Young Artist winner of 2019.

The exhibit of all eight finalists will run through September 28.

The Trawick Prize, which was one of the first regional competitions of its kind in the metropolitan area, has received over 3,000 artist submissions over the years.  Artists must be 18 years of age or older and residents of Maryland, Virginia or Washington, DC. This event is produced in September of each year by the Bethesda Arts and Entertainment District & Bethesda Urban Partnership and features the work of the finalists in a group exhibition.

Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E
Gallery hours: Wed. - Sat, 12-6pm
Reception: Friday, Sept. 13, 6-8pm

The curious case of the DC art collection

All out war between the DC mayor and the city council over who runs the District's Art Commission... just got word that the mayor sent a police officer over to the the art commission and changed the locks on the Art Bank storage facility, essentially seizing control of all the artwork inside!

On Identity in the Arts: What it means to be LatinX

We are all set for September 21, 2pm at Montpelier Art Center for my lecture: On Identity in the Arts: What it means to be LatinX.

Give it a shout out if you can and share it around. Seating is limited so folks are asked to call the center at 301.377.7800 to register.

It's all free - courtesy of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Division of The  Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Address of Montpelier Art Center is
9652 Muirkirk Rd
Laurel, MD 20708

Lecture: Art with a Twist

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.

Zofie King: Secular Relics and Apocryphal Fossils

Please join the very talented Zofie King for her solo exhibition "Secular Relics and Apocryphal Fossils" at Hillyer, opening on Friday, September 6, 6-9pm, with an artist talk during Art All Night, Saturday, September 14 at 8:30pm.

Final Thoughts, c.2019
Found objects, acrylic, resin, LED, velvet, cyanotype on satin
66" x 20" x 15"
Image courtesy of Pete Duvall

She writes:

When making the pieces for this show, I was reflecting on how objects connect us to history, both geological and cultural. Fossils serve as a record of geological time, in which humans are a mere blip, while reliquaries encapsulate myths that go back several centuries. The origin of relics is often dubious, and their provenance hard to track. In fact, a reliquary is venerated for what it is thought to contain, and its real value lies in the story that surrounds the object. Similarly, fossils hold our fascination by telling us about the history of life before humans. Studied extensively, they are put into context using the scientific method, but in holding a fossil, one is also physically connected to a prehistoric time. 

 9 Hillyer Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008
202.338.0325  |  atHillyer.org  |  ArtsandArtists.org

A new art fair model!

For many galleries, art fairs present a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” proposal. The cost to participate has grown increasingly steep, with many charging tens of thousands for a booth, plus expenses for shipping, travel, and insurance. Do more than one fair a year—let alone five or six—and that number balloons quickly. On the other hand, not participating can amount to a significant lost business opportunity.

Future Fair, a new New York startup launched by fair veteran Rachel Mijares Fick and art adviser Rebeca Laliberte, poses an answer to this problem: it will cut a share of its profits with participating galleries.

Read the whole article here. 

Villagallegos in my past footprint

Just discovered that my paternal grandmother was born in Villagallegos (Celtic Village), in the municipality of Valdevimbre, in the province of Leon, in northwest Spain... even today pretty much a one horse village, with about 100 people living there!

Plein Air Painting Competition at Serenity Farm

FARM HERITAGE CONSERVANCY
1st Annual Sunflower Festival at Serenity Farm
6960 Serenity Farm Road
Benedict, Maryland 20612

Labor Day Weekend 2019, August 31 and September 1, 10am – 4pm

En Plein Air Day, August 30 8am-dark

Plein Air Entries created on August 30 will be judged by Dr. Margaret Dowell, Adjunct Professor of Art, College of Southern Maryland.  Artworks will be available for public viewing and purchase at the festival on August 31 and September 1.  Twenty percent of all art sales will go to the Farm Heritage Conservancy, a non profit 501(c)3.

Prizes
1st Prize: $200
2nd Prize: $100
3rd Prize: $50

AUGUST 28: Deadline for artists to contact Franklin A Robinson, Jr to reserve a spot. Space is limited to twenty entrants. E-mail fhcbenedict2015@gmail.com

AUGUST 30: En plein air day, 8am-9am, artists report to the Harvest House at Serenity Farm to fill out Artist Participation Form and to join us for donuts and coffee for meet and greet. Then the full day to wander the farm and paint.

9am-dark, paint on location at Serenity Farm, at the end of the day works will be given to Franklin Robinson for hanging.  Canvases MUST HAVE eyehooks and wire. Artists will submit title and price for work.

AUGUST 31 AND SEPTEMBER 1, 10 am – 4 pm. Art works created on August 30 at the farm will be on public display during the festival.

SEPTEMBER 1, 3-4 pm.  Artists’ reception in the Yellow Barn.  Artists pick up works not sold during festival.

Vintage nude drawing at auction

Check out this 1995 drawing now being auctioned off by someone in New York - click here for details.

Time for 2019 Trawick!

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District will honor the top artists from Maryland, Washington, D.C. & Virginia for the 17th annual year.

The exhibit will be held from September 4-28 with a public reception on Friday, Sept. 13 from 6-8pm.  This year it is a tough one to pick a winner... but I'm betting on Muriel Hasbun.

2019 Finalists:

Stephanie Benassi, Linden, VA

Monroe Isenberg, Washington, D.C.

Hoesy Corona, Baltimore, MD

Renee Rendine, Towson, MD

Oletha DeVane, Ellicott City, MD

Mojdeh Rezaiepour, Vienna, VA

Muriel Hasbun, Silver Spring, MD

Anne Rogers, Baltimore, MD

Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E
Gallery hours: Wed. - Sat, 12-6pm

Trawick Prize 2019 Opens

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District will honor the top artists from Maryland, Washington, D.C. & Virginia for the 17th annual year.

The exhibit will be held from September 4-28 with a public reception on Friday, Sept. 13 from 6-8pm.  This year it is a tough one to pick a winner... but I'm betting on Muriel Hasbun.

2019 Finalists:

Stephanie Benassi, Linden, VA

Monroe Isenberg, Washington, D.C.

Hoesy Corona, Baltimore, MD

Renee Rendine, Towson, MD

Oletha DeVane, Ellicott City, MD

Mojdeh Rezaiepour, Vienna, VA

Muriel Hasbun, Silver Spring, MD

Anne Rogers, Baltimore, MD

Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E
Gallery hours: Wed. - Sat, 12-6pm

Lecture: On Identity in the Arts: What Does It Mean to be Latinx?

Lecture: On Identity in the Arts: What Does It Mean to be Latinx?

Montpelier Art Center

9652 Muirkirk Rd

Laurel, MD 20708

Saturday, September 21, 2pm.

I will be delving deep into the history and evolution of the Latino ethnic label and then discussing important questions on the issue while wrapping it around the context of the fine arts in a sometimes funny, but always informative presentation. 

Lecture is free and open to the public.

The Art of Evolution

The Art of Evolution, on view through Sunday September 8, is an offshoot of the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Sister Cities grant to Paris that was awarded to DMV artist Michele Banks.

With her grant funding, Michele was able to go to Paris and meet Virginie Courtier-Orgogozo, PhD where she collaborated with the research lab to make art about evolutionary biology.

Later Michele invited Virginie to come to DC and participate in an educational and creative workshop featuring Arnaud Martin of George Washington University who is actively using CRISPR technology to edit butterfly genomes.

The workshop was held at the studio of Jessica Beels (Off the Beaten Track) and all of the women in this exhibition (Michele Banks, Jessica Beels, Mei Mei Chang, Pat Goslee and Shelley Loewnstein) participated in the workshop.

There will be a closing reception on Sunday afternoon, September 8 from 1 to 3 pm.

Facebook event link:
https://m.facebook.com/events/373332646592913/

ADDRESS
Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbott Citizens’ Center

( directly above the Takoma Park police station )
City of Takoma Park
7500 Maple Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912

HOURS
8:30 AM – 9:30 PM* Monday – Thursday
8:30 AM – 10:00 PM Friday
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sunday

PHONE
Main: 301-891-7100
TTY: 1-800-735-2258

Opportunity for artists

Leonardo: When the Arts Reach the Sky

Deadline: August 30, 2019

On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci’s death, the Italian Cultural Center of Maryland (ICCM) in collaboration with Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), and office of First Lady Yumi Hogan is pleased to announce a Call for Entries for two juried art exhibitions celebrating the genius of the Renaissance. The exhibition pieces may include works that reinterpret or reimagine Leonardo’s originals. The exhibition pieces will ultimately reflect Leonardo’s legacy of creating art that rests on a foundation of inquiry and knowledge. 

Entries should visualize or materially reflect on laws of nature and/or the order of the universe, both natural and human-made (including but not limited to current events, historical events, political concepts, and human emotions). The two exhibitions will take place in September, 2019. 

One will take place at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and other will take place at the National Italian American Gallery (NIAG) at the ICCM. 

Full Details here!

Curator for the exhibitions is Gioia Milano, Director of Education, Exhibitions and Programs at the Italian Cultural Center of Maryland. Contact 

Email: Leonardo500@italymd.org. Online applications:https://www.judgify.me/ICCMLEO500    

Art Scam Alert!

Art Scam Alert!!!

From: Roger Gordon rogerphantom090@gmail.com

Date: August 12, 2019 at 7:08:44 AM EDT

Subject: ARTWORK IS NEEDED.

 Hello,  

         I am Gordon from Richmond Indiana. thoughts of the best anniversary gift of the century to my wife has been roaming my mind for a while now. i figured out later that my wife spends noticeable time on viewing artworks from your page on my laptop and i can easily guess she likes your work, which i found quite impressive and intriguing too. I must admit your doing quite an impressive job. You are undoubtedly good at what you do. 

      With that being said, I would like to purchase some of your works as a surprise gift to my wife in honor of our upcoming wedding anniversary. It would be of help if you could send some pictures of your piece of works, with their respective prices and sizes, which are ready for immediate (or close to immediate) sales. My budget for this should be anything that falls under $8000, and if i have to pay more, there should be a reason in terms of worth and value. Your works are impeccable anyways.  .

      I look forward to reading from you in a view to knowing more about your pieces of inventory. As a matter of importance, I would also like to know if you accept check as a means of payment

Regards,

   Gordon.

Opportunity for Artists

Mattawoman Creek Art Center
SOUTHERN MARYLAND ART - 2019
SEPTEMBER 20 – OCTOBER 27, 2019

Open all-media themed juried show with a $1,000 First Prize!

A total of $1,800 is to be awarded.

Show theme: Southern Maryland Art

Southern Maryland is defined as Maryland west of the Chesapeake Bay,
south of Rt. 50 (D.C. to Annapolis), and outside the I-95/I-495 D.C. Beltway.
The challenge to you: Bring Southern Maryland to life as visual ART.
Join the competition to win cash prizes and sell your artwork.

ELIGIBILITY: All artists over 18 years of age, both MCAC members and non-members, may enter.
Entries must relate to Southern Maryland and have been created after Sept. 30, 2018.

ENTRY FEE: $25.00 for MCAC members and $40 for non-members. Fee is non-refundable.

SALES POLICY: MCAC will retain a 25% commission on all artwork sold during the exhibit.
A
t least 2 pieces must be for sale; 1 of 3 may be marked “not for sale” (NFS).
The Call For Entry is posted on the MCAC website: www.MattawomanArt.org.

You may contact MCAC by email at MattawomanArt@aol.com or by phone at 301-743-5159.

Mattawoman Creek Art Center is located in Smallwood State Park, Marbury MD, 20658

35 miles south of Washington, D.C. on Md. Route 224 in Charles County.
Park Entry fee is waived for Art Center visitors.

On Identity in the Arts: What Does It Mean to be Latinx?

Lecture: On Identity in the Arts: What Does It Mean to be Latinx?

Montpelier Art Center
9652 Muirkirk Rd
Laurel, MD 20708

CHANGE OF DATE: Instead of Sept. 14 it is now Saturday, September 21, 2pm.

I will be delving deep into the history and evolution of the Latino ethnic label and then discussing important questions on the issue while wrapping it around the context of the fine arts in a sometimes funny, but always informative presentation. 

Lecture is free and open to the public.

Affordable Art Fair New York

We'll be at the Affordable Art Fair New York this coming September - booths C3 and D20! Our 13th year at this fair!

This year we're showcasing Jodi Walsh, Seth Fairweather, Kathleen Hope in booth D20 and Lori Katz, Matthew Langley and Macyn Bolt in booth C3.

Module 8 by Jodi Walsh

Wann go to three openings in one place this weekend?

Workhouse Arts Foundation | 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079

VMFA: Futures

Group Exhibition

On View through October 6

Reception: Saturday, August 10, 6-8pm

McGuireWoods Gallery, 2nd Floor

Workhouse Arts Center is pleased to present VMFA: Futures showcasing a select group of artists joining the 2019-2020 Fellowship Program at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia. This lucid presentation is comprised of a broad selection of humanizing works of ingenuity which liven the art landscape through sculpture, videography, painting, photography and new media.

VMFA: Futures highlights emerging talent but also explores commonalities amongst the artists’ work each sharing visual, woven poems referencing subjects such as the acceleration of environmental destruction, the grasp of fading moments, the provocation of word play, the resonance of family belongings and the ritual of preservation. Exploring forms of personal documentation, this exhibition examines the artists’ response and dealings with traces of past and present and interacting perspectives.

Featured artists include Soomin Ham, Rebecca Silberman, David Franusich and Sarah Phillips.

Learn More

(Im)Permanence Continued

Solo Exhibition, Cynthia Myron

On View through October 6

Reception: Saturday, August 10, 6-8pm

McGuireWoods Gallery, 2nd Floor

Clay International

Juried Exhibition

On View through October 13

Reception: Saturday, August 10, 6-8pm

Vulcan Gallery, 1st Floor

Clay International represents the depth and breadth of contemporary functional and sculptural ceramic artworks being created throughout the country. Ceramic Artist and Educator – Peter Beasecker juried over 300 images to select 52 pieces of art which incorporate a contemporary spirit as well as a technical mastery of the material. The show is a rare opportunity to see a variety of styles and techniques which encompass the field of contemporary ceramic arts.

Juror’s Statement – It was an honor to be asked this year to jury the 2019 Workhouse Clay International. With over a few hundred entries, it was exhilarating as it was exhausting. As a juror, I found myself exercising my imaginative abilities to envision the three-dimensionality of the objects, filling the absence of intimacy experienced only by close inspection and touch. I was most drawn to the pieces that ignited my curiosity and left me wanting more: works that both challenged and reaffirmed my own sensibilities. Though I was impressed with the range of entries, I did not select pieces for diversity’s sake. Rather, I chose objects that expressed a sense of confidence in what they were or the conviction of their message. While some pieces clearly embraced risks and were a part of a more contemporary conversation, that did not dim the light of those pieces quietly celebrating the rich history of the functional vessel.

Learn More

Guess who's on the cover

Yep - those smiley folks on the cover of Potomac Living magazine are none other than The Campellos!

The photo is by an uber talented photographer - the spectacularly talented Ksenia Pro - see more of her work at her website here.

And more about Potomac Living magazine here!

Two new exhibits, opening on August 30, 2019: Transformations and Fragments.

Transformations features mixed media and installation works created by Rachel Borgman, Artemis Herber, Chris Hornsby, and Sunyoung Lee. 

While these artists focus on a variety of concepts, they each describe the process of art-making as integral to their work. Rachel Borgman uses art historical documentation and biographical sources to weave together a complex web of possible narratives that marry fact with fiction, creating painting copies and immersive painting spaces inspired by her investigations. Artemis Herber’s large-scale artworks on corrugated cardboard raise questions about urban culture and sustainability while exploring geo-economic landscapes expressing local issues or global concerns. Chris Hornsby utilizes dark and light fractured imagery to create paintings that explore the complex yet surprising interaction between control, contradiction, and humanity’s violent struggle to succeed. Sunyoung Lee’s work stems from the similarities between painting and writing. Using thick and rapid calligraphy-like brushstrokes, she creates abstract letter paintings intended to be read emotionally rather than literally.

Fragments showcases photography by local artists Willy Conley and Don James. 

In Willy Conley’s self-titled “watergraphs,” he captures water reflections which are then turned upside-down. Depending on environmental factors such as wind, debris in the water, and the color of the sky, each inverted reflection creates a painting in its own right. Don James’ photographs appear to be abstract creations but are actually a faithful representation of the shape and near-monochrome appearance of his subjects. Drawn to subjects rarely noticed by others, he photographs man-made structures, details of common objects, and short-lived fragments of nature.

Transformations and Fragments will be on display from August 30 – October 11, 2019. A reception for both exhibits will be held on Friday, September 13 from 6–8 pm, in conjunction with the Arts Council’s Annual Meeting and Grant Awards Ceremony. Resident artists will also host Open Studios from 7-8pm. This reception is part of the Arts Council’s annual Road to the Arts weekend, featuring special exhibits and receptions hosted by Howard County galleries and art spaces from September 12-15. 

HCAC Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday 12-4pm. The Galleries are closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 2, 2019. To learn more about HCAC programs and exhibits, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or visit hocoarts.org.

Homage to the Ice Pirate

As I noted earlier, my best friend from the Navy, and one of the US Navy's most legendary figures... simply known to the world of Navy submariners as the "Ice Pirate" died unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

As an homage to William Randall (Randy) Ray, I've done these four pieces which I will be gifting to his family.

"The Ice Pirate"
Pen and ink on toned paper, 20x24 inches

Study for "The Ice Pirate"
Charcoal on paper, 8x10 inches

Study for "The Ice Pirate"
Graphite on paper, 8x10 inches

"Randy Ray in the Arctic"
Ink on paper, 10x8 inches

Randy Ray, RIP

My best friend from when I was in the Navy, Randy Ray died unexpectedly on the 28th doing what he did best: serving his country in a submarine somewhere in the planet underwater.

From his obit:

William Randall Ray (AKA Randy), 63, of Santee, CA, passed away at sea on June 27th, 2019, doing what he loved. Randy is survived by his wife, Karen, of 44 years, mother Shirley Ray, daughters Misty (Jesse) Rubinol, Rachael (Valentine) Chavez, Amy (Matt) Knippel, grandchildren Riley Rubinol, Cecily Rubinol, Mateo Rubinol, Amelia Chavez, Gabriella Chavez, Owen Knippel, Wyatt Knippel, Joaquin Chavez, 5 siblings, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Randy served his country faithfully, 20 years active duty and 25 as a Department of the Navy civil servant. He enlisted in the US Navy in June of 1973. While his latest role as an Ice Pilot working with the Arctic Submarine Laboratory was his most fulfilling, he held several enlisted and officer positions during his career in the US Navy and was respected by men & women up and down the chain of command; seamen, airmen, captains and admirals alike.

When he wasn’t navigating glaciers & reefs to guide submarines safely to their destinations, he enjoyed music, sports, spending time with family & catering to his wife’s & daughters’ every want & need. He had dreams to retire from civil service in September of 2020 and to move to Tennessee with wife, Karen. Randy aspired to spend his retirement fishing Tennessee rivers, coaching little league and possibly even dabbling in community theater. Randy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to every person he met – his passing is felt deeply by many near and far. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for your support in memorial contributions to Autism Speaks as Randy was a fierce advocate for all of his grandchildren.

I remember when we were stationed together in San Diego, and then in Newport, and then at the University of Washington, and we were commissioned together... but my strongest memory of Randy, is when we were in the San Diego Navy softball finals, and Youngblood was at bat, and all we needed was one out to win the championship, and we were up by one, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two outs... 

And I was the pitcher and the count was 3 -2, and for some reason I always seemed to walk her, and Randy called time out, ran to the pitcher's mound from the outfield, and said to me, "If you walk her again, I will kick your ass." He then ran back to the outfield, and I thought about it, and pitched her a perfect strike... 

Fair winds and following seas my dear friend.

Opportunity for Artists

 Artist Opportunities 

Click links below for more information.

 Open Call for Art Lab (MFA Students) 

 Open Call for General Exhibits 

 Open Call for Warrior Way Gallery (Military Service Members) 

Four artists demanded their works be removed from the Whitney Biennial

The four artists’ letter comes just two days after Artforum published an essay by Hannah Black, Ciarán Finlayson, and Tobi Haslett titled “The Tear Gas Biennial,” in which they called out the artists in the biennial for not boycotting the exhibition over Kanders’s presence on the museum’s board.

What this really means: We (anyone) can now start going throught the boards of all museums, and universities, and 503(c) and whatever, and if we don't like what one of the trustees or board members does for a living, of where his/her samolians are invested in, we can now demand that artist do not show in those museums or organizations!*

Read the whole puzzling article here.

* This of course, does not apply if the person in question is also a major donor to the right causes... cough, cough...