Another example of WaPo suckosity...

Wanna another example of how the Washington Post really feels about the DMV visual art scene?

Mark Jenkins wrote this review (see https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/in-the-galleries-three-artists-become-one/2016/03/16/e599d20a-e99b-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html)   of a super interesting show at Glen Echo, among others, but the Post chose to publish it solely online.

Fortunately, I have a direct line to the newspaper's new owner, and as soon as he bought the paper, I complained to him about the WaPo's history of diminishing coverage of the area's visual arts.  He told me to compile some samples and feed it to him and to two other folks that he has "working" the WaPo.

This Jenkins example will make the list.

Looking for a chance to hone your figure drawing skills?

Del Ray Artisans (DRA) offers a range of open life drawing sessions for just this purpose. Both nude and clothed models are featured. These sessions operate on a drop-in basis so there is no need to register in advance. Bring your supplies and join us at the gallery to draw or paint from our live models. We don't supply easels but you are welcome to bring your own if you want to use one.  Please no acrylics or oils; pastels, watercolor and ink are permissible. All skill levels are welcome.
 
The fee for each three-hour session is $10 for DRA members and $12 for non-members. Two-hour sessions are $8 for members and $10 for non-members.
 

Session Types­

Gesture Sessions (two hours)

These two-hour sessions are composed primarily of dynamic 1 to 5 minute poses.

 

Short/Long Pose Sessions (three hours)

The three-hour short/long pose sessions start with some short 1 to 5 minute warm-up poses and progressively move into longer poses lasting 10 to 45 minutes.

 

Long Pose Sessions (three hours)

These sessions are generally composed of two long poses with perhaps a few warm-ups at the start.

Upcoming Spring 2016 SessionsSessions feature nude models unless otherwise noted.

• Sunday, March 20, 9:30-11:30am, Gesture
• Wednesday, March April 23, 2:00-5:00pm, Short/Long
• Wednesday, March April 23, 6:30-9:30pm, Long
  
• Wednesday, April 6, 2:00-5:00pm, Short/Long
• Wednesday, April 6, 6:30-9:30pm, Long
• Wednesday, April 13, 6:30-9:30pm, Long
• Sunday, April 17, 9:30-11:30am, Gesture (clothed)
• Wednesday, April 20, 2:00-5:00pm, Short/Long (clothed) - The April 20th session will be FREE! Come early to get a spot!
  
• Wednesday, May 11, 2:00-5:00pm, Short/Long
• Wednesday, May 11, 6:30-9:30pm, Long
• Sunday, May 22, 9:30-11:30am, Gesture
• Wednesday, May 25, 2:00-5:00pm, Short/Long
• Wednesday, May 25, 6:30-9:30pm, Long
  
• Wednesday, June 8, 2:00-5:00pm, Short/Long
• Wednesday, June 8, 6:30-9:30pm, Long
• Sunday, June 19, 9:30-11:30am, Gesture (clothed)
• Wednesday, June 22, 2:00-5:00pm, Short/Long (clothed)
• Wednesday, June 22, 6:30-9:30pm, Long

If you have any questions, please contact Katherine Rand (Life Drawing Coordinator) at LifeDrawing@DelRayArtisans.org.

A letter from the new WPA Director

In the past 100 days, I have met with 100 DC-area artists. Not individually, but in groups. We've met in studio buildings, in bars, here at WPA's new gallery. I asked them lots of questions. I listened and took notes. It was a real wake-up call.

 

One of the things I heard time and again was that artists are fleeing our city. There are two principal reasons for this. First, DC has gotten too expensive, so they are moving to the Virginia and Maryland suburbs. Or they are migrating to Baltimore or Los Angeles. The point is, while the population of DC grows, its artist population shrinks.

 

The second reason artists are leaving is because there just aren't many opportunities left for them here. The Corcoran and a number of  important galleries have closed. The (e)merge art fair is on hiatus. Where are artists to exhibit? How can they sell?

 

These conversations underscored for me WPA's great responsibility to this community. It isn't enough for us to simply present exhibitions and events. We need to find ways to retain the existing talent so vividly in evidence in the Auction Gala Exhibition.

 

"But how?" you ask.

 

Well, one immediate way is to attend our Auction Gala on April 9  and buy some art. Proceeds from that event are split 50-50 between the artists and WPA. You can buy tickets here.

 

Beyond that, this is a much longer conversation that I look forward to having with you over the coming year. Stay tuned for more on this subject. In the meantime, let's celebrate and support the artists still in our midsts. I will see you at the Gala.

 

Yours,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Peter Nesbett, Executive Director

Airborne

Heading to Sedona, Arizona for some vortexin' and red-rockin'