Swiss Freeports Are Home for a Growing Treasury of Art

They come for the security and stay for the tax treatment. For as long as goods are stored here, owners pay no import taxes or duties, in the range of 5 to 15 percent in many countries. If the work is sold at the Freeport, the owner pays no transaction tax, either.

(Via) Read this cool article in the NYT - the interesting thing is that I believe that there are several "off-the-grid" such locations around the world, including a massive one just outside of Boston... cough, cough.

Job in the Arts

 Deadline: August 10, 2013

 

The Brentwood Arts Exchange is in need of experienced instructors to teach comic book making for teens, painting and drawing classes for teens and adults and are requesting proposals from individuals interested in teaching those subjects.  Classes should run for 4 or 6 weeks, and be held in the afternoon (for teens) or evening hours (for adults).  Include a class outline and a materials list in your proposal.

 

They're always interested in hearing good ideas.  If you would like to send a proposal on other art related classes and have experience teaching, they will accept those as well.

 

Send to Frannie Payne, Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood, MD 20722 or send to FrannieD.Payne@pgparks.com

Art and Labor in the US

How are artists who have been systematically denied fair wages and access to basic services like healthcare and unemployment protections gaining access to those things today?

Even after reading this article by Alexis Clement, I'm not sure who the systemic denier is/are, but I suspect that (like everything else) it is Bush's fault (not Bush The First, he's now a good guy, but Dubya)... Details here.

Alexis Clement will be facilitating a class on this subject (cough, cough), titled Rights, Demands, and Radical Reimaginings: Art and Labor in the US at the Hyperallergic offices starting August 27. Registration info is here. Hyperallergic readers can get $15 off with the code HYPER.

Art Scam Alert

Beware of this mutant who is currently trying to scam artists and galleries:

From: Gregory Butler <gregbutlergroups.llc@gmail.com> To: Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 10:17 AM

Hi, 

My name is Greg, I recently visited your website and found your Work of arts to be appealing. I am very impressed with it and would be interested in purchasing it for my new apartment I am moving into this month. Please do provide me with the price and details if it is available.

 

Greg

New "Who's a Washingtonian?" Grant

Proposals Due: Sunday, September 1, 2013

Funding Amount: $5000

Match Required: 1:1; cash or in-kind  

Details here.

Head StART in ART program

Visual and performing artists are needed for residencies for the Head StART in ART program for the 2013-2014 school year. Residencies will take place at the Ellicott City Head Start Center or the Tubman Head Start Center in Columbia. Artists seeking a residency must have experience working with children; experience with pre-K is preferred. The performing artist residency will conclude with performances by the Head Start children. The visual artist residency will conclude with the completion of an art project for display at their Head Start Center or individual projects for students to take home. Applications are available online at www.hocoarts.org or at the Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The deadline for proposals is August 15, 2013.

 

The Howard County Arts Council coordinates, administers, and funds Head StART in ART, with additional funding from Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Inc. and a grant from PNC for the 2013-2014 school year.  HCAC selects the artists and works closely with them and the Head Start staff to create a thematic program.

 

In FY2000, the Howard County Arts Council developed a partnership with the Ellicott City Head Start Center to establish an artist-in-residence program.  This partnership, Head StART in ART, provides the children with an in-depth, hands-on artistic experience they might never have otherwise and ensures them access to the arts.  Participation in such a program during the formative years can have a significant impact on a child’s future appreciation of and involvement in the arts and may also advance language and learning skills.

Jenkins checks in

I know that I've said this before, but the WaPo's Style art critic Mark Jenkins has really brought a fresh, new perspective to the WaPo's coverage of DC visual arts and is a huge improvement over his predecessors.

Read his current set of reviews here.

Celebrities Failing at Art

Allison Meier is a bit unfair to artsy celebrities in this cool article, but then again, it is hard to be a celebrity and then try your hand at art and then expect that people will take you seriously... cough, cough.

If anything the Bronx cheer should go to artists like Marina Abramovic for being part of the celebrity worship.

Announcing DC Artist Exchange (DCax)

Artomatic, in collaboration with several DC-based arts and cultural organizations, has announced the DC Artist Exchange (#DCax). 

 

This kick-off series includes five Panel Discussions on artist space in the city and four Swap Meets. Swap meets provide a forum for the exchange of creative services or materials and the opportunity for community networking. 

 

Best of all, events are FREE to attend. 

 

Come to one session or the whole series. The series kicks off this Saturday, July 20th and runs through the summer season.

View the schedule and sign up today

Becoming a Collector: How to Know What You LIke and Where to Find It

Thursday, July 25, 7pm in the Emerson Gallery at McLean Project for the Arts

MPA Exhibitions Director, Nancy Sausser, will give a talk about collecting art and how to get started.

Free, but reservations are required. Email info@mpaart.org to reserve your spot.

McLean Project for the Arts is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue in McLean VA

For more information visit www.mpaart.org or call 703-790-1953

2013 Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize

Congratulations to Corcoran College of Art and Design faculty member Gabriela Bulisova, who was awarded the 2013 Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize on Saturday, July 13.

A faculty member in both the Photography and New Media Photojournalism degree programs, Bulisova was awarded the $25,000 prize for her multimedia project, "Time Zone."

The project - a collection of photographs and 12-minute video - focuses on 39-year-old Washington resident Lashawna Etheridge-Bey's effort to recreate a life after 18 years in prison. "Time Zone" features interviews with Etheridge-Bey, her mother, children and friend.

Gabriela Bulisova is a documentary photographer from the former Czechoslovakia, based in Washington, D.C. She travels to marginalized places such as Chernobyl, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria to give voice to those who have been silenced.

View images from "Time Zone" here. View the video here.

Amazon to Start Selling Fine Art On Line

Reports from the Art Newspaper and the Wall Street Journal say Amazon is making plans to sell fine art online. The reports say the company is working with galleries around the U.S.—perhaps more than 100—to act as an online art market and collect a commission on the sales.

Amazon tried this once before in 2001, but in partnership with Sotheby's. It was very successful, so much in fact that Sotheby's decided to go on their own, broke their contract with Amazon (and paid them a ton of money to do so) and was selling about a million dollars a day at one point.

Ebay noticed this and tried to start doing the same thing via a short-lived venture titled Ebay Premiere; they failed miserably.

Then Ebay started courting Sotheby's and the fools decided to partner up with Ebay and the whole entire thing tanked in record time, forever poisoning the well for online fine art auctions.

The formula for selling fine art online demands a legitimizing name (such as Sotheby's or Christie's or MoMA or such a recognizable "art name") - it fails miserably anytime anyone else tries it.

Woman as Color, Light and Form

Galerie Myrtis located at 2224 North Charles Street in Baltimore has an upcoming exhibition titled Woman as Color, Light and Form that has caught my eye.   The Opening Reception will be held Saturday, July 27, 2013, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.  The reception is free and open to the public. An Artists’ Talk will take place on Sunday, August 11, 2013 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and is part of the Tea with Myrtis series of art salons. Fee:  $20 includes tea sampling and sweet and savory treats.  

In challenging the notion of the feminine archetype, artists embrace and reach beyond the boundaries of the female form to express the essence of a woman, figuratively, conceptually and metaphorically. 

As Color, alluring imagery stretches the imagination and explores a woman’s sexual and intellectual power through aggressive gestures and symbolic references to the feminine life-giving force. As Light, provocative photographs portray a woman’s physical strength and ubiquitous presence in nature. As Form, moving two and three dimensional objects, emblematic of the ethereal qualities of a woman, reveal the complexities, convictions and intuitiveness of the feminine expressed as the divine; a ritualistic-based video serves as testimony to one woman’s personal journey of renewal, and others speak to healing, identity, memory and transformation in tableaus that embody a woman’s unbridled spirit.

The sixteen participating artists express their artistic voices through installations, paintings, photography, prints, and videos.




Artists:  Sondra Arkin, Maya Freelon Asante, David Carlson, Phylicia Ghee, Michael Gross, Nora Howell, Ada Pinkston, Edwin Remsburg (that's his powerful image Diapotheque Series 9/22 to the left), Jamea Richmond-Edwards, Rachael Rotenberg, Amy Sherald, Mary Walker, and Sigrid Vollerthun along with Sondheim Semi-finalists: A. Moon and Adejoke Tugbiyele

Washington Studio School Annual Students Juried Show

The Washington Studio School 

is pleased to announce 

the Opening Reception of the Annual Students Juried Show 2013 

Friday, July 19th

From 6-8pm

"The work selected for this year's Juried Student Exhibition displays the progression of learning and skill-building that occurs at the Washington Studio School. The focus on drawing and understanding dynamic spatial relationships is evident in student's artwork of all skill levels.  

From figure drawing studies to sculpture, to drawings, paintings and collage that explore abstraction, to paintings in which one can detect a developing individual aesthetic and intuitive process, we can clearly see evidence of growth and the positive results of a highly focused and directed school environment. This exhibition is a showcase of some of the most dynamic student artwork as well as a wonderful insight into the Washington Studio School teaching approach." 

 Milena Spasic, Juror

How the NSA Cracked the Kryptos Sculpture Code

It took more than eight years for a CIA analyst and a California computer scientist to crack three of the four coded messages on the CIA’s famed Kryptos sculpture in the late ’90s.

Little did either of them know that a small group of cryptanalysts inside the NSA had beat them to it, and deciphered the same three sections of Kryptos years earlier — and they did it in less than a month, according to new documents obtained from the NSA.

Details here.

John Anderson on "Washington Matters"

Read John Anderson's reviews of the Katzen's "Washington Matters" exhibition here. The show is derived from the recently published book Washington Art Matters: Art Life in the Capital 1940–1990 - a terrific book that represents the closing project of the Washington Arts Museum. You can buy the book on Amazon here for less that $11!

Until August 11, the top floor of the American University Museum presents a 50-year retrospective of D.C. art between 1940 and 1989, and it feels much like a multifarious Washington Project for the Arts auction. On view are some muscular works by Jim Sanborn and Robin Rose, as well as a few old standards by Martin Puryear, Sam Gilliam, and Kenneth Noland. But, with more than 80 artists represented in the exhibit—most by a single piece—the show doesn't distill the working careers of the artists involved or offer a coherent sense of identity or movement happening in D.C. The only exception is the featured work from the late 1950s and early '60s, when seemingly every artist in Washington was under the spell of Abstract Expressionism and the so-called Washington Color School. After that, District art hopped all over the map.

Of course, this is an exhibit of some compromise, pulled together in limited time. American University Museum Director Jack Rasmussen, a consistent supporter of D.C. art, found a hole for an exhibit last year when he learned The Washington Arts Museum was publishing Washington Art Matters, a book on local art from 1940 to 1989. Earlier this year, the book's authors gave Rasmussen a list of artists to include in the show, and the museum got to work plucking the relevant art from private collections and three area museums in under 10 weeks (the museum already owned about a third of the work).

Washington Art Matters, written by Jean Lawlor Cohen, Sidney Lawrence, Elizabeth Tebow, and Benjamin Forgey, is, by the authors' own admission, "well intentioned." Unfortunately, it struggles with the same hurdles the exhibit does. This summary of 50 years of Washington art, condensed into 213 pages, often reads like a summary of a summary.

Anytime that a "summary of 50 years of Washington art, condensed into 213 pages, often reads like a summary of a summary" is put into an art show, some art will be blurred.

In fact, at any group art shows, some art will be blurred.

Anderson's piece is a very good read of this show, and showcases this talented critic's finely tuned and wise insights into the DMV visual arts scene... and it also manages to focus on the Pyrrhic task of trying to write a book and then put up an exhibition that tries to sum up 50 years of anything...

If my first of the three planned books on DC visual artists drew so much air intake (every once in a while I still get an email from an artist being pissed off that he/she wasn't included in the first volume, and there's still one included artist who still fumes because he wasn't included on the cover - even though I had zip to do with that part), can you imagine what a book attempting to discuss 50 years of DC area art achieves in that area?

I was once advised that my first volume listing 100 artists would piss off 10,000 unlisted artists... 200 or so will be somewhat tranquilized by the next two volumes, but I can only think of how many 1940-1989 DC artists feel "excluded" from this volume - that's the real Pyrrhic task for the authors (Jean Lawlor Cohen, Sidney Lawrence, Elizabeth Tebow, and Benjamin Forgey), all of whom must be congratulated on the creation of this important and much needed documentation.

 Anderson asks way too much of this show when he writes:

But, with more than 80 artists represented in the exhibit—most by a single piece—the show doesn't distill the working careers of the artists involved or offer a coherent sense of identity or movement happening in D.C.

I'm not sure that it is possible to distill an entire career in such a setting - even retrospectives struggle to show an artist's career if that artists has had a few decades of production. I am also always puzzled why in the visual arts, we're always looking for a sense of order or as he puts it coherence. It is impossible to ask a diverse group of contemporary artists, much less an entire city or region to all collapse into a identifiable and coherent sense of identity - I challenge anyone to show me such a phenomenom in the last 150 years. In fact, the last time that this happened was probably in the 1800s, but we're still using it as a litmus test somehow.

I betcha that even in the halcyon days of the Washington Color School (I loved this part from Anderson's review: "Perhaps the most significant event that separates us from other cities is that Clement Greenberg came here, the colorful staining of canvas was declared a "school," and the recognition made the art-survey books" - the dude is so right!) there was a truckload of DMV artists who weren't staining canvasses or painting lines.

With respect to the latter, I am still astonished to see how many DMV area shows (two will open today/this weekend) include artwork by living artists who are essentially channeling the stripe painters of the 1960s and are yet being shown in 2013. I have never seen a Washington Color Schoolish type artwork in any art fair around the world in the last decade, but here in the DMV both recent graduates and older artists continue to channel Noland, Davis, etc. Somebody should write about that...

Anderson ends his review by stating:

Of course, there's no question that D.C. has contributed to 20th century art in important ways, and nurtured significant artists, as it continues to do. But Washington Art Matters recycles old, whiny arguments to make that point, and the companion exhibit in the AU Museum was afforded too little time and not enough space to give D.C. art the exclamation point it too often seeks.

Sounds like John is challenging American University Museum Director Jack Rasmussen to devote the entire Katzen to a Washington, DC show... cough, cough.

I'm going to see this show, and you have to go see it too... this is Washington, and this is visual art, and visual artists stand on the shoulders of other artists... so go and pay homage to your predecessors. Art school faculties around the region should also all take their classes to this exhibit, and I'd hope that all of our area's museum curators and directors would also take the opportunity to visit and learn about our area's visual arts footprint, but I know that this is asking too much of DMV art curators most of whom who'd rather take a cab to Dulles to fly and go see a group art show by Berlin artists in Germany than take a cab to American University to go see this show... feh!

And thank you to American University Museum Director Jack Rasmussen, whose drive and insight and skill  shows and demonstrates what a museum can do to become more than white walls that show pictures and instead essentially become a key part of a city. And thank you Jean Lawlor Cohen, Sidney Lawrence, Elizabeth Tebow, and Benjamin Forgey, for this intense and important labor of love.

Finally, there's a panel discussion at the Katzen on July 20 - details here.

Washington Art Matters: The 1980s
Saturday, July 20, 3 p.m.
American University Museum
Admission is free
Art Attack project artist Alberto Gaitán; curator-advocate Jim Mahoney; and on-the-scene writer Lee Fleming discuss the aesthetic and political issues of the 1980s. The panel is moderated by Sidney Lawrence, an emerging artist at the time and the Hirshhorn's PR person until 2003, who is one of the Washington Art Matters, Art Life in the Capital: 1940-1990's authors.

And a closing reception on August 10 at 5PM.

At Politics and Prose...

And the world's fattest country is...

Holy enchilada!

Mexico is the world's fattest country!

Que pasa gorditos?

Cough, cough...

The Talking Walls of Buenos Aires

graffitimundo presents the group exhibition "The Talking Walls of Buenos Aires"  Opening Saturday, July 13^th at The Fridge in Washington DC. This will be the first time Argentina's unique urban art culture has been presented in the US. 

Urban art in Buenos Aires reflects the city's turbulent history and rich cultural heritage. Throughout the last century the city walls have been extensively painted by artists, activists, political groups and the public and have become an established and dynamic channel for expression.

During the last two decades several different artistic styles have developed. The devastating Argentine economic crisis of 2001 created a generation of young artists determined to take to the streets and reclaim their city. As they collaborated in a spirit of solidarity a new and distinctive visual language began to emerge.

"The Talking Walls of Buenos Aires" features mural art and original artworks from leading Argentine artists and art collectives, as well as video works and historical and contemporary photography portraying the urban landscape of Buenos Aires and seminal moments in the country's history.

The exhibition celebrates a form of expression rooted in activism and a desire to transform public space, and in the process challenges conventional views on what graffiti is, what street art represents, who creates it, and why.

Artists
Buenos Aires Stencil / Cabaio / Chu / Defi / DobleG / Ever / Fede Minuchin
Gualicho / Jaz / Malatesta / Mart / Pastel / Pedro Perelman / Poeta / Pum Pum / Roma
Sam / Sonni / Stencil Land / Tec / Tester

Event information
The “Talking Walls of Buenos Aires” will open at 6pm on July 13^th 2013 at TheFridge, 516 1/2 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Wanna show at the (e)merge art fair?

Call for Submissions: WPA Member Work on Paper
Deadline: Monday, September 2, 2013 at 5pm
Work Drop-Off: September 16 - 20, 2013, 10am-6pm

Work Pick-Up: November 5 - 8, 2013 10am-6pm
Drop-off and Pick-Up Location: WPA Office, Capitol Skyline Hotel, Suite 434, 10 I (eye) Street, SW, Washington, DC
Exhibition Dates: September 27 - October 27, 2013
Exhibition Location: Capitol Skyline Hotel Lounge, 10 I (eye) Street, SW, Washington, DC
Contact: Blair Murphy, Program Director, 202-234-7103 x 1 or bmurphy@wpadc.org ONLINE REGISTRATION

BECOME A WPA MEMBER

 

Washington Project for the Arts is pleased to announce a call for 8" x 8" works on paper by WPA Member Artists to be on view and for sale as part of WPA's Hothouse series during the (e)merge art fair. 

 

Work will be exhibited in the Capitol Skyline Hotel Lounge from September 27 - October 27, 2013. All current WPA members are invited to submit one 8" x 8" work on paper. Work submitted MUST be 8" x  8" and must be delivered without a mat or frame. If a member artist wishes to submit a work that is smaller than 8" x 8", it must be submitted mounted to an 8" x 8" sheet of paper. WORK THAT IS LARGER THAN 8" X 8" WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Work will be installed on the wall using removable adhesive mounting squares. When not displayed on the wall, work will be stored in acid free, archival sleeves and must fit into one of these sleeves. For heavy works or works on especially delicate or unusual paper, artists must provide an appropriate display mechanism. These could include adhesive squares or a display hook or gator clip attached to the back of the work. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Blair Murphy, Program Director, at 202-234-7103 x 1 or bmurphy@wpadc.org.

Registration, Drop-off and Pick-up
Current WPA member artists who wish to participate must register online by September 2, 2013 at 5pm by submitting their contact info, cv, work details, and one image of the work they would like to include through this online form. Artists must be current WPA members in order to participate. You can join or renew your membership on the WPA website. 

All work must be dropped off at the WPA office at the Capitol Skyline Hotel, 10 I (eye) Street SW, Suite 434 between September 16 and September 20, from 10am to 6pm. You will be notified via email by November 1 if your work has sold. Unsold work must be picked up at the WPA office between November 5 and 8, from 10am to 6pm.

If you are unable to drop your work off in person, but would still like to participate or have any other questions regarding the submissions process, please contact Blair Murphy, Program Director, at 202-234-7103 x 1 or bmurphy@wpadc.org.

Artist Agreement
WPA Member Artists who participate must agree to the following term.    

By submitting to WPA's Member Work on Paper Exhibition, you agree to the following conditions: All work included in WPA's Member Works on Paper Exhibition must be for sale. Work that is sold will be given to patrons to take with them upon purchase. Washington Project for the Arts will take a 30% commission on works that are sold. Work will be insured by WPA while it is in WPA's possession. Unsold work must be picked up at the WPA office by November 8, 2013. WPA will not be held responsible for the work after that date. I hereby release the WPA, its Directors, employees and volunteers and agree to indemnify and hold them harmless against all claims arising out of damage to my artwork arising in connection with my participation in the WPA Member Work on Paper Exhibition. 

About Hothouse

Hothouse is a new series of exhibitions, installations, and events organized by Washington Project for the Arts that takes place in the Capitol Skyline Hotel Lounge. Created as a way to provide new opportunities for WPA member artists and forge new connections within DC's creative communities, Hothouse will present member-initiated programming on a regular basis. 

Need Studio Space?

Studio Space is Available in AAC's Artist Residency Program! 

Application Deadline: Received by August 1, 2013
Notification Date: August 12, 2013
Studio available for move-in September 1, 2013

The Arlington Arts Center (AAC) invites Washington-area visual artists to apply for this prestigious six-year residency program, which supports artists by providing spacious and light-filled studios, subsidized rent, and a creative community of emerging artists working in diverse media. In addition to well-appointed spaces, studio artists enjoy tremendous exposure and the opportunity to exhibit their work biennially in AAC's Wyatt Gallery. The available space is within our group studio, to be shared with two other artists.

Why AAC? 

• Beautiful studios with high ceilings, natural light, and sinks, and access to generous common areas, including an artists lounge and shower facilities, and a lovely park with tennis courts on the grounds
• Wyatt Gallery devoted to exhibitions of Resident Artist work
• Great location one block to the metro at Virginia Square with cafes and shops, right between Clarendon and Ballston -- two vibrant Arlington neighborhoods
• Responsive staff eager to promote your career
• Proximity to other emerging artists in AAC studios and in the community, and to exhibiting artists from the mid-Atlantic region and beyond

To apply:

Visit AAC's website at www.arlingtonartscenter.org/studios to learn more about the program, click here for a description of the Residency Program, and download an application here to get started!   

 

What past Resident Artists have to say:

"As a Resident Artist, I have had an extraordinary space in which to work, explore new materials, develop ideas and exhibit my work. And over time, the high-ceiling studio space influenced the scale of my work, spurring the creation of more sculptural room-size interior textiles. Exhibitions and open studios stimulated dialogue with the public and other artists about the creative process. And I made an invaluable gallery connection, thanks to an independent curator who came to opening receptions. AAC supporters, staff and board members have provided great environment in which to grow as an artist." - Paula Bryan 

 

"My six-year residency at the Arlington Arts Center has been extremely positive and has helped to push my studio practice to new levels. In addition to the support provided by affordable studio rent, the program served as a springboard for my professional development... The experience has been invaluable." - Evan Reed

"My residency here at AAC has been an extremely rewarding and inspirational experience. To be constantly submerged in a center that explores and presents contemporary art and to witness the effects it generates within a community is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I treasure." - Gilbert Trent

Academy 2013 and (e)merge pre-fair party

CONNERSMITH has announced ACADEMY 2013, the 13th annual invitational survey of outstanding work by MFA/BFA students in the Washington/Baltimore area.
Exhibition founder and curator, Dr. Jamie Smith invited 20 artists to participate from the region's arts institutions including American University, Corcoran College of Art and Design, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Maryland Institute College of Art, and University of Maryland.
Artists: Ryan Carr Johnson, Larry Cook, Di Fang, Kyle Hackett, Annie Hanson, Jay Hendrick, Jeremiah Holland, Rachel Hrbek, Vincent Hui, Nathan Loda, Armando Lopez-Bircann, Kellie Martin, Ryan McCoy, Pat McGowan, Joan Oh, Laura Payne, Mihaela Savu, Rahshia Sawyer, Steven Skowron, and Jason Edward Tucker.
There will be an opening night reception at CONNERSMITH., Saturday, July 13th from 6 to 9pm with artists in attendance. In conjunction with ACADEMY 2013 opening, a pre-fair party celebrating the 3rd edition of (e)merge will be held.

Look for Ryan McCoy to steal this show...

Congrats to DCCAH!

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) is pleased to announce three DCCAH commissioned public art projects from the inaugural 5x5 public art biennale have been selected by the Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Public Art Network's Year in Review Top 50 Projects of 2013. The AFTA Year in Review is the only national program that specifically recognizes public art projects. The honor couldn't have come at a better time as DCCAH is simultaneously promoting the 2014 Call to Curators for 5x5.

The award-winning projects: Home Mender by Monica Canilao (curated by Justine Topher), Henry "Box" Brown: FOREVER by Wilmer Wilson (curated by Laura Roulet), and The Polygonal Address System by Steve Badgett and Deborah Stratman (curated by Steve Rowell), were presented by the Year in Review jurors at the June 2013 AFTA - Public Art Preconference.  

"We are very excited to be recognized for public art," said Judith Terra, Chair of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. "This honor represents a growing arts scene in Washington, DC."

"We expect that the 5x5 project in 2014 will be as exciting as the previous one," said Lionell Thomas, Executive Director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. "Plans are already underway to build on the previous success with new and dynamic offerings."

My congrats to all!

Norm Parish

I am sad to report that Norm Parish, my neighbor for almost 10 years in Georgetown, a good friend, a talented artist, a constant supporter, and one of the key people in the DMV art scene for almost a quarter of a century, passed away today at 6:45PM.

My sincere hugs to Gwen, his partner and wife for the last 25 years.

The DMV has lost a giant; we will miss you Norm, but we also know that you're somewhere in the Universe doing what artists do best: creating!

Fair winds and following seas my friend!

Update:  Please join Gwen Parish and the Family for Norm Parish's final farewell to all of us at his funeral at Unity Church of Germantown, July 13, 2013.

Looking for Tim Tate at the Venice Biennale?

Some of you have been traveling to Venice for the Bienale and looking for Tim Tate's sculpture on exhibit at the Venice Bienale (thru November 24, 2013) - As the Bienale has evolved into what I call "Distributed Art" you can findTim Tate's work is on exhibit at the Palazzo Bembo. 

Directions here... bring your James Bond accent...

Artomatic coming back to Frederick

Just heard that Artomatic@Frederick will return and it will be located at the building located at115 E. Church Street as well as next door at 117 E. Church Street in Frederick, Maryland.

Dates: September 4th, – October 5th, 2013

Hours:
Wednesdays 3 pm - 9 pm
Thursdays 3 pm - 9 pm
Fridays 12 pm - 11 pm   Live Music (Various Genres)
Saturdays 9 am - 11 pm   Live Music (Various Genres)
Sundays 12 pm - 5 pm 


For more details visit http://www.artomaticfrederick.org

Registration for the Frederick Artomatic starts at midnight on July 15

Who owns the photos you take at museums?‏

"A question came up today as I was walking around the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. People were snapping pictures; others were buying books and posters, T-shirts and all sorts of merchandising.  A friend asked me if they took a picture of a Renoir, a painting that is no longer under copyright, and started selling posters, would they be violating any copyright or other rules?  For that matter, would I have a copyright on that image? This actually brings up a few legal issues.  So let’s take them step by step."

Read the article here.

Is it legal to photograph people on the beach?

"Most photographers don’t often consider the legal implications of their shoots because, as is human nature, we tend to make assumptions based on the actions of our peers.  We see people doing it all the time; we figure we can do the same thing.  Add to that, being a foreigner like Antoine, because he is not used to U.S. law at all.  Pile on the fact that most laws on the subject are different in every state to some degree and there is often no clear bright line to follow.  We hear stories constantly in the photography world about people being arrested for taking pictures in public spaces like subways.  (in general, it is OK, despite what police may say)."

Read this very cool and educational article in art law journal here.

Quammen says...

From David Quammen at MOCA:

A recent article in the Washington Post cites a study by the National Endowment for the Arts' "'National Statistics about Working Artists' taken from US Census Data for 2006 to 2010 show that the District has more working artists per capita than any state in the nation." Of course, it's not a fair comparison to make with our (DC) small population vs. all the 50 states. But comparison of city-by-city the region still ranks among the top 10 among U.S. cities.

So what, you say? D.C. is consistently lambasted as a lousy town for the arts, but here's something not many people know: There are 21 Arts Organizations, including Art League and other community based centers, in the region; 5 community colleges, 2 of which have 3 and 4 separate locations; 2-4 year colleges; 13 universities, several with multiple locations; 3 schools; and about 2 dozen or more groups that meet weekly in the name of art. That doesn't count the number of galleries, many of which host artsy-type events every week.

Speaking of art galleries, P & C Art on M Street is gone - no more art at the Georgetown location but they have another facility nearby. And a sad day for Parish Gallery, who's founder is suffering from cancer - the last exhibit is up now, and a For Lease sign is in the window. But property owner Richard Bernstein has told them they can keep the exhibit up - or put up another one - so long as there is no tenant in the offing. Based on the situation in Georgetown businesses, that may be anywhere from a few weeks to several months. In the meantime, our hearts go out to Norm, his wife, Gwen, and the passing of a legendary gallery he founded and she keeps it going for now. God bless.

Meanwhile, Moca's prognosis is good, other than being persistently late on rent. But that should change soon - we hope. Activities include an Open Drawing Session next Wednesday, July 10 - 7 to 10 pm - model is Ramsey, a new-to-the-scene female who also teaches art for Uncork'd Art, the mainstay for Moca at the moment.

And don't forget our July exhibit, A Celebration of the Figure - now in its 10th or 11th year - I do need to learn how to count. We are still accepting art up to next Thursday, July 11. Then plan to make it for the Opening Reception on Friday, July 12th - complete with some brand new events in the Out.Back section of the gallery. Or to paraphrase an old tune, There'll be a Hot Time in the Out.Back that night!!!

Questions - contact Dave at 202.342.6230

The boy checks in...

Two new watercolors by Anderson Lennox Campello

"Duck Eating Ice Cream"
Anderson Lennox Campello
Watercolor on Paper. 20x20 inches.

"Shark"
Anderson Lennox Campello
Watercolor on Paper. 10x20 inches.

Happy Independence Day!

"Radio Flyer Flag" by Ross Palmer Beecher

Studies for Frida Flying

It is always nice to see an old friend... below is a rather large pen and ink and watercolor drawing that I did when I was in Art School...

Recently the person who owns it - who happens to live in Virginia - sent me a nice note and an image of this 33 year-old drawing.

Silly Soviets...

I have this collector of my work who is very high up in the food chain over at Bacardi.

Most people don't know how HUGE this private company is, and how averse to publicity the Bacardi family is... but essentially Bacardi is a gargantuan octopus company - that is a company that owns a company, that owns a company, that owns a company and so on.

Anyway, when Stolichnaya (Russian: Столичная, also known as Stoli) was acquired by some group (Latvia or Russia) owned by someone, who is owned by someone, etc., one of the Western tricks that the new owners tried to teach the Stoli management was the trick of putting out the same product under a different label, but cheaper, and to do this whenever they needed a fast cash influx.

They were horrified when Stoli came out a little later with a few thousand cases of the iconic vodka with the same basic label, but with the name blacked out - sort of like what they used to do to porn pics in the 50s and 60s.

Cough, cough...

By the way, has anyone seen the latest Bacardi commercial?

Drawing Ta-tas and Facebook banning

Apparently this guy loves to draw big ta-tas and post them around... and also apparently Facebook banned him for doing it... cough, cough.

Read it here.

And the idiot of the week is...

Read it and weep...

(CNN) -- Jennifer Lopez sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" on Saturday to a leader who has been characterized as one of the most repressive in the world.

"We wish you the very, very, happiest birthday," Lopez said to Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, and then she sang to him at a huge celebration at a resort in the central Asian country.

Details here. Who is next on the agenda for Jennie from the Bronx? Maybe Fidel Castro? That nut from North Korea? Tsk, tsk...

An Interview with Erwin Timmers

DC's seminal eco-artist (new fancy term for a green artists) is interviewed here.

Wanna go to an asskicking opening on Monday?

The Confidence Booster by Angelo Tirambulo

Dates: July 1 – Sunday, July 28, 2013

Location: Capitol Skyline Hotel Lounge, 10 I (eye) Street SW, Washington, DC 20024

Opening Reception: Monday, July 1, 2013, 6-8pm

Free and open to the public Monday through Sunday, noon to 9pm

WPA launches the installation and exhibition component of the Hothouse series at the Capitol Skyline Hotel with The Confidence Booster, an installation by artist Angelo Tirambulo. 

Consisting of wallpaper featuring flattering statements and a series of twelve mirrors containing lyrics from recent hip-hop music appropriated to directly compliment the viewers, the installation nods to our image-conscious culture. This wry presentation of soothing but ultimately superficial phrases gently satirizes its own source material, while subtly acknowledging its irresistible appeal.

Anderson and The Cicadas

Anderson playing with two cicadas. He then put them back on a tree branch (after he chased his two cousins around a little... cough, cough...)

Gallery B call for Proposals

The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District and Bethesda Urban Partnership are accepting applications for Gallery B in downtown Bethesda!

This gallery, located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E in downtown Bethesda, is available to interested artists and arts organizations for one-month rentals. All media including, but not limited to, painting, photography and sculpture is eligible to use the space. Gallery B does not take a commission on any artwork sold during the exhibition. 

They are seeking applications from local artists and arts organizations for month-long exhibitions in 2014.  There is approximately 1,500 sq. feet of available exhibition space.  The deadline for submission is July 19, 2013.

To be considered for a solo or group exhibition, and to review the gallery requirements, please complete this application.

Questions?  Please send them an email to artist@bethesda.org.

Chevy Chase Art Fair Cancelled

This year this outdoor art fair organizer had been planning to conduct an inaugural art fair in Chevy Chase... but:

Greetings Applicants,

Thank you for your recent submission to The Chevy Chase Art Festival that was scheduled to take place on September 21^st & 22^nd, 2013. HAE has a full show ready to go however, we are not receiving the support and backing that we require from the venue in order to make this a successful first year show. Therefore, we are moving the show to Legacy Village in Cleveland, Ohio. This is a very successful, well-established location in which we have been producing "Art in the Village” for the past 23 years in June. If you are interested in applying for this show, you may do so through zapp.

We will gladly refund your application fee or if you are an active artist with us, we can credit your account.  Please email Jacque@ArtFestival.com with your response.  We appreciate receiving your response in writing no later than July 1st, 2013.

Thank You.

Howard Alan Events
270 Central Blvd
Suite 107B
Jupiter, FL 33458
PH: (561) 746-6615
Fax: (561) 746-6528
www.ArtFestival.com

A little gray

Well actually... it's a lot of grey... or is it "gray"?

The last time that I had a beard it was all black.

So this latest one, after a few years in between, has a little grey/gray. 

People keep asking me why are you going a beard in the summer?

Who knows? Oy Gevault!

Beards have a way of deciding when they want to come out...

I've got a feeling that this one will not last very long as no one but me and Little Junes seems to like it...

Cough, cough...

For Marylands artists

The Maryland State Arts Council’s competitive Individual Artists Award (IAA) recognizes the value of artists and their work to the cultural vitality of Maryland. The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation administers awards of $1,000, $3,000 or $6,000, which are recommended by an out-of-state jury that reviews unidentified submissions solely on the basis of artistic merit.

The IAA Program reviews a total of 18 artistic disciplines, which are separated into three competition groups that are awarded once every three years.

APPLY NOW FOR A FY2014 INDIVIDUAL ARTIST AWARD!

The 2014 Individual Artist Award is open to applications with a deadline of Friday, July 26, 2013. This year, the award is open to artists practicing within these artistic disciplines:

    Choreography
    Classical Music: Composition
    Classical Music: Solo Performance
    Poetry
    Visual Arts: Sculpture
    Solo Dance: Performance
    World Music: Composition
    World Music: Solo Performance 

Please read the FY2014 Guidelines (PDF) before submitting your online application in CueRate.

APPLICANT SUPPORT: ONLINE WEBINARS
Three webinars will provide step-by-step instructions on how to submit a complete application with digital images within the CueRate system.

Registration is required to participate in the Cue Rate/Digital Image Webinars. Please register to receive webinar details via email.

    Webinar 1: Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    Webinar 2: Wednesday, July 10, 2013, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
    Webinar 3: Saturday, July 13, 2013, 10:00 AM - 11:30 A.M

For questions, email Kinberly Steinle-Super or by phone at 410-539-6656 ext.101.

Looking for a Art Restorer

I have a collector friend who is in desperate need of a qualified art restorer to restore a photo which has been attacked by mold from the verso.

Both art conservators that I've used in the past have moved to Florida and this lady would rather deal with someone local... send me an email if you readers recommend someone...

Sarah Hood Salomon at Photoworks

I am going to start the review of this very attractive photography exhibition by Sarah Hood Salomon by scolding the gallery where it is being staged: Glen Echo Photoworks.

This is 2013, and for a gallery to have such an outdated website as this one is... is unprofessional and bothersome. Today it was featuring a show that closed last March... tsk, tsk.

That's a shame, because Glen Echo Photoworks is one of the jewels of our area's art scene; with their exhibitions, classes, talks, etc. they are a giant part of not only our photography scene, but also of our arts tapestry in general.

To make matters worse, the photographer's website was also failing to load (using either IE or Firefox).. when it rains it pours...

On exhibition are 24 color photos that use camera motion and slow shutter speeds in order to "compress transitional qualities of light into one image." What they do accomplish is the delivery of sensually beautiful images that once again impress upon me what a gifted photographer can deliver.

The first photo that we see is "Sunset at the Chesapeake." It is an explosion of color and cool, fuzzy vertical lines that transform the landscape into a surreal beauty and a new version of the Chesapeake.

"Winter Winds" is so well done that it almost explodes in front of your face with the whooosh of a storm, while "Man in Brown Suit" and "Odd Man Out" are both a little ghostly in the way that the figures have been shaken.

"Outside Dr. Ong's Office" is perhaps the best example of what this photographer can accomplish with her technique. I found this image to be a riot of color and almost an eulogy to string theory within a cyclone of warm colors - staying on the brainy theme, "Rt. 27" perhaps gives us an unintended insight into either the way that the Big Bang may have looked like or what the end of the Universe may look like.

It's all about color.

All of the pieces were also professionally presented and framed in museum mats to full conservation standards and priced really, really well; they were a steal at $325 framed and $225 matted.