Gilliam at the Corcoran

I can't wait to see what Jonathan Binstock has done with the Sam Gilliam Retrospective at the Corcoran.

Mark your calendars, as that exhibit opens Oct. 15 and runs through Jan. 22 of 2006, and it is (incredibly enough) Gilliam's first retrospective.

As Binstock wrote his doctoral dissertation on Gilliam, if anyone is qualified to organize a retrospective for Sam, it is Jonathan.

And kudos to the Corcoran for looking in its own backyard.

Other area residents who are worthy of a show and/or a retrospective (in my opinion) include Manon Cleary, Joe Shannon and our own John Winslow.

Like Gilliam, they have created great, lasting art in the District for decades and decades, and (like Gilliam) have been generally ignored by our "national" museums.

Free Press for All or Free-for-All?

Thursday, September 22, at 7 p.m. in the William G. McGowan Theater.

Blogging: Free Press for All or Free-for-All?

In honor of Constitution Day, the Newseum and the National Archives present a program examining how technological advances are reshaping interpretation of the first amendment, which guarantees, among other things, free speech and free press.

It has been said that the power of the press belongs to the person who owns one. Today, as the Internet turns desktops and laptops into personal presses, first amendment rights are challenged, and a power shift seems to be under way. Bloggers are staking a claim to "grassroots journalism," and print and broadcast journalists are looking to the future and wondering where their reporting skills fit in.

What’s credible? What’s not? And, just how far does the first amendment protect this new wave of journalism? Frank Bond of the Newseum and former Channel 9 anchor will moderate a discussion with Robert Cox, president of the Media Bloggers Association and managing editor of "The National Debate"; Bruce Sanford, a first amendment lawyer with the D.C. office of Baker & Hostetler, LLP, and chairman of the board, the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression; Jay Rosen, chairman and professor of journalism at New York University ; and Deborah Potter, president and founder of NewsLab as they examine the issues on the line when technology meets traditional journalism.

Reservations required by emailing them here. All programs are free and open to the public. The National Archives is located between 7th and 9ths Sts. on Constitution Ave, NW. Use the Special Event entrance just off the corner of 7th and Constitution Ave.

Rousseau and O'Sullivan on Trawick Prize

Dr. Claudia Rousseau reviews the Trawick Prize.

Read the review here.

And the WaPo's Michael O'Sullivan reviews the top prizewinner of the Trawick Prize here.

P.S.

1. Where is the WaPo's Style section major (large, or more than 50 words) review of (in my opinion) our area's most important (and influential... details to follow) juried art exhibition? Fer Christsakes... This is the 3rd year of this prize! C'mon Pancake! C'mon Heard!

2. Where is the WaPo's feature on Olga Viso ascending to the top rung at one of the nation's top museums?

This is why the Post's Style section's anemic coverage of our area's visual arts draws so much criticism for that newspaper in general: [with one notable exception] An astounding lack of attention and (by now) an expected lack of interest (and knowledge) of what makes Washington area visual arts "tick."

Arts Job

Director, Vienna Arts Society.

The VAS, a prestigious art society, seeks a candidate with managerial experience and a love of art to fill a p/t position as director of a fast growing arts center in Vienna, VA.

The director is responsible for the day to day operation of the Center, including: ensuring that it is staffed during business hours; serving as liaison with the public; handling all bookkeeping; scheduling and supporting all activities at the center. In addition, the director identifies and promotes services provided by the VAS, such as art classes, workshops, space rental, and private and member shows. This position reports to the executive board of the Vienna Arts Society. Work Schedule and salary to be discussed.

Skills and Experience:
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and oral
• Marketing experience
• Self starter with flexibility and attention to detail
• Computer and office skills
• Experience managing others
• Experience with volunteer and non-profit organizations

History: VAS was founded in 1969 as a non-profit organization bringing artists and people interested in the arts together for developing and promoting local art and related activities.

Towards that end, VAS, through its Art Center on Pleasant Street and the gallery in the Village Green Shopping center, manages a broad variety of programs, workshops, classes, and trips.

Please email resume here.

A Taste for Art

Just back from jurying the prizewinners for the $1000 prize money for "A Taste for Art."

"A Taste for Art" is a cool art and food marriage of a party that takes place at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria to raise funds for the Factory and hosted by The Friends of the Torpedo Factory.

It involves a great art auction as well as loads of great food from most of Old Town's top restaurants. It takes place on Friday, October 14 from 7:30-10:30PM and tickets are available by calling 703-683-0693 or emailing them here.

EarthRights International Fundraiser

Dan Fatton, the Major Gifts Coordinator at EarthRights International, is looking for donations for their 10th Anniversary Silent Auction Fundraiser.

The event will be held on Friday, October 21, 2005, at the WVSA Arts Connection from 7 pm to 11 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Dan at EarthRights International at 202-466-5188 ext. 106 or dan@earthrights.org.

Dan Fatton
Major Gifts Coordinator
EarthRights International
1612 K St. NW, Suite 401
Washington, DC 20006
tel: 202-466-5188 ext. 108
fax: 202-466-5189
dan@earthrights.org.

AU Lecture

Dr. Lisa Farrington, who just wrote "Creating Their Own Image: The History of African-American Women Artists," will be lecturing at AU this Friday, the 23rd, at 8pm in the recital hall of the Katzen Art Center.

She will be discussing African-American Feminist Art. Details here.