New Museum Show Opening...

The Art Museum of the Americas is hosting an opening reception for ABCDF: portraits of a city - (Contemporary Photography of Mexico).

The opening reception is on Thursday, April 29 at The Art Museum of the Americas (201 18th Street, N.W.). For more information, please call (202) 458-6016, or e-mail gsvitil@oas.org.

Museum hours following the opening are Tuesday-Sunday, 10 AM-5 PM.

I've written before on the subject of race and art and also on the stupifying American notion of Hispanics and/or Latinos - a totally made up "ethnicity" from a widely diverse set of nations made up of immigrants from all over the world (just like us in the USA).

And there's an art show coupled with a thesis project by George Washington University student Christina Hayes that underscores my beef with this force-fed notion of "Hispanicity."

The exhibition is called "Walking to their own beat: Afro-Cuban Musicians and the Black Identity." It consists of an exhibit by photographer Nestor Hernández dedicated to the contributions of Afro-Cuban music and its musicians, both in Cuba and in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The exhibit compliments Hayes' thesis project and should be an interesting one, as Hernandez is without a doubt one of Washington's great photographers, and who has been pursuing and discovering his 50% Cuban bloodlines with an artistic ferocity that can only kindle great results.

Nestor was part of "De Aqui y de Alla," our 2003 exhibition of Cuban artists from Cuban and the Cuban Diaspora around the world.

The exhibit has an open reception this coming Thursday, April 29th, 2004 at 6 pm. It's at the Latin American Youth Center, located at 1419 Columbia Road NW,Washington DC 20009 (202) 319-2225.

For more information, contact: Christina Hayes at (202) 448-0581 or email her at chayes@gwu.edu

Jessica Dawson reviews one of her favorite art venues in today's Post. Read it here.

Heard from Kathryn Cornelius that the Georgetown University Festival of Fine Arts got off to a good start.

I've been swamped with a house closing and now the exhausting task of moving.

Don't forget that MAP's Free-Hung Exhibition starts hanging art tomorrow.

The below info thanks to Malik Lloyd of Find Art Information Bank

Government Opportunities for Artists

For years now in the Washington DC area, and perhaps in yours as well, there has been this commercial on cable TV about free money available from the US Government. Although I never gave much credence to the ad, the man featured in the commercial has always amused me.

He dons a suit, a throwback to the Joker seen in the "Batman and Robin" TV show. He is Matthew Lesko and walks on the Washington Mall excitedly declaring that the government is giving away free money--to get a better job, to begin a new career, to get an education, to start or expand your own business, etc. Most people, like me, however, amused probably view his claims with a little suspicion. Since I like being amused, his ads usually capture my attention. The catch is to purchase his book and a person's life could change for the better.

Recently, I borrowed this book from a friend "creatively" titled "Free Money to Change Your Life." Actually, I discovered that there is information beneficial to artists. For example, it includes the amount of grants that state arts programs award annually, as well as contact information for each state art agency.

The chapter, "How Artists, Designers, and Photographers Can Get Freelance Government Contracts," list artists whom received contracts along with the amount of the contract. Nearly thirty government agencies utilize freelance artists. The Department of Labor hires outside art contractors to do editorial illustrations, book cover designs, stationery and newsletters. The U.S. Postal Service employs freelance artists to support many of their projects, including posters, brochures, and stamps. The Food and Drug Administration contracts graphic artists and designers for editorial illustrations, exhibit designs, posters and photographic projects. The U.S. Geological Survey awards about $100,000 in graphic arts contracts annually. Even the IRS gets in on the act, spending approximately $650,000 annually on contracts with various artists. Not only do we learn the types of artwork agencies use, but the book provides gives step-by-step instructions on how to obtain freelance work from the government, including contractual points of contact and application deadlines.

In addition, there is information on how to obtain contracts in video production and voiceovers as well as for freelance writers and editors.

Based on the information read, I would say that his book is an excellent start for anyone considering freelancing for the government. However, with a $60 price tag, I am pleased that I borrowed "Free Money to Change Your Life." I was informed by a friend that "Lesko is a sharp and funny guy who has made a living for at least 20 years by compiling government information buried in public documents and enthusiastically sharing it with people in a way they can really use it."

The original documents aren't secret, they're just boring. I think Lesko would be delighted if someone saved $60 on his book by borrowing it from the Government - from the local public library.

You can also order the book from Amazon.

Some think it's cheesy when DC does it, but every major city is doing it... Anyway.... New York City has a call for artists for a public art project....

Big Apple Fest: Artists to Decorating Oversized Apple Sculptures.

Deadline: May 1, 2004

Big Apple Fest is inviting artists to submit designs for decorating more than 300 oversized apple sculptures that will be on display throughout New York City this summer as part of an art project that has been well-received in many other cities (such as DC and LA) and which benefits charities in Gotham.

There are two versions of the 4-foot diameter apples: opaque fiberglass, which allows the artist to decorate the skin of the apple; clear acrylic, which allows the artist to create a 3-D image inside the apple as well as decorate the exterior. Apples sponsored by corporations, civic groups, cultural institutions, and other organizations and designed by professional artists and school children, will be on display from mid-August through mid-October.

Professional or amateur, youth, or adult-all are welcome to create imaginative designs, celebrating the international spirit of New York City. Artists whose designs are selected for exhibition will be paid a $1,500 honorarium. After the conclusion of the exhibit, Sotheby's will hold a live auction of the Big Apples; a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Police Athletic League, City Harvest, and the NYC & Company Foundation.

For more information, including artist submission requirements and sponsorship opportunities, contact the managing director, Jon Clay, at 212-599-0409 or visit the website at www.bigapplefest.com.

Call for Proposals...
From Find Art
Deadline: May 1, 2004.

The Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts is reviewing exhibition proposals for their 2005-2006 season. Solo and Collaborative Exhibitions, 6-8 week exhibitions. Open to US resident artists 21+ of Mid Atlantic States including PA, OH, NY, NJ, MD, DE, and Washington DC. 30% Commission. Insurance. Send SASE for a prospectus to:
Bob Karstadt
The Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts
124 E Leasure Ave.
New Castle PA 16101
724-652-2882

P.S. A lot of these announcements (and more) can be delivered to your email address (free) by just signing up for them. To sign up.... visit: Find Art