Ellyn Wise on the Corcoran Acquisition of the Randall School

Last Thursday I mentioned the acquisition of the Randall School by the Corcoran and asked to hear from some of the MAC artists who have studios there, since there have been some past issues between them and the acquisition process.

Several artists have responded and below is Ellyn Weiss take on the subject:

Personally, I would characterize The Cork "under new management" as every bit as imperious and high-handed in its dealings with the local art community as was the old regime. It truly amazes me, not to say pisses me off royally, that after the Millennium artists - at The Cork's explicit request - supported the Cork's acquisition of the Randall School when they needed City Council approval, they never even deigned to meet with us and let us know what their plans and schedule are for the rehab.

Instead, they chose to communicate, on the rare occasions when they did, only through scary lawyer-drafted letters that ordered us to do one thing or another. For example: thanks to our truly amazing pro bono lawyers, Norman Sinel and Rich Lucas from Arnold and Porter, the deed for the Randall School now contains the requirement that, after rehab is completed, the Cork must offer the artists comparable studio space.

In an apparent nod to this, we all just received a registered letter informing us that we would be offered, in 48 - 52 months, a studio of no less than 72 square feet, but only if we sign a "legally binding" document now committing to rent it.

This magnanimous offer pretty much says it all. It couldn't be more clear that The Cork views itself as on a whole different planet than the one that local artists inhabit.

But not all gloom and doom from us Millennium artists! We have a show right now at 910 E St. NW organized by Zenith Gallery (thanks, Marjory) and are planning a big old party soon to which all of you artists and art lovers will be invited. We DO plan to rise again.

Peace and love, Ellyn Weiss

As there are always two sides to every story, I have asked the Corcoran to respond. Later I will publish more comments from other MAC artists.

New Painting a Day Blog

DC area artist Molly Brose joins the new wave of daily online painters kick-started by Richmond's Duane Keiser with her new "A Day's Work" Blog.

Some really excellent watercolors created each day here.

New Hoyas

DC area artist John Murray has been commissioned to create four religious paintings for the Jesuit Chapel of Georgetown University. He has just finished the first one:

More details, including prep sketches, here.

Another one heading down South

In addition to all the galleries and dealers mentioned here (and elsewhere since), the Black Artists of DC (BADC) are also heading to Miami where they will be exhibiting during the Art Basel extravaganza in the LoGlo exhibit at the Buena Vista Building in the Design District.

O'Sullivan in the WaPo

"Hoping to foster a little cross-pollination in the visual arts scenes of Washington, Baltimore and Richmond, the Washington Project for the Arts/Corcoran's ongoing series of "Exchange" exhibitions -- in which art spaces from those cities have been trading shows with one another -- is a great idea, if for no other reason than it saves gas. Washington art lovers curious about what's going on in the Baltimore scene, for instance, had the recent opportunity to find out (without driving an hour) when the WPA/C, in a collaboration with Baltimore's Creative Alliance, brought a slew of Charm City's finest to the Warehouse for a showcase earlier this fall. At the same time, Baltimoreans could check out what Washington had to offer at a simultaneous roundup of D.C. artists there. (Both have since closed.)

The final two "Exchange" installments are on view now: "Richmond @ DC" at the D.C. Arts Center, and its counterpart, "DC @ Richmond," at that city's Gallery5. (Oddly, the triangle was left incomplete, with no art-swap planned between Richmond and Baltimore. Oh, well. Maybe next year.)"

Read the WaPo review here.

New Baltimore Gallery

Diliberto Gallery recently opened in Fells Point in Baltimore and this Friday they are having a show titled "Land, Sky and Water," showcasing the work of five landscape artists: David Shevlino, Lisa Egeli, Eva Carson, Mary Bickford and Michael Diliberto. The opening reception is Friday, December 1 from 6-9PM.

Of these I am quite familiar with Lisa Egeli's technically superb work, and I think that she still holds my personal record for the most expensive painting that I've ever sold, sight unseen (not the most expensive painting that I've sold ever, but the most expensive "unseen" painting), to a collector (in Texas if I recall): $11,000 as I remember (it was a few years ago).

Diliberto Gallery website here.

New DC gallery

Gary A. Christopherson (Chris) has opened a new art studio/gallery called GChris "Progressive Art" Sculpture Studio/Gallery on Dumbarton Street in Georgetown.

Details here.