Looking for a Curator

The Arlington Arts Center, a leading contemporary visual arts venue in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area, seeks a full-time Director of Exhibitions.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience curating and coordinating exhibitions, communicating with artists, and developing creative collaborative initiatives. Strong knowledge of contemporary art, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region, is essential.

Candidate will also have experience drafting contracts and exhibition agreements, coordinating installation and catalogue production, writing exhibition materials, and using contemporary marketing tools. Technical knowledge of new media and software applications are key assets. This person works closely with the Exhibitions Committee, and experience working with Boards will be helpful. Superior grant-writing skills are also extremely desirable.

BA required, MA or MFA preferred. The AAC is a fast-paced environment with a small staff that values flexibility, a team approach, and a sense of adventure. This position includes benefits. Competitive salary.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, July 13.

Please send resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to:

info@arlingtonartscenter.org, with “Director of Exhibitions” in the subject line, or by mail to:

Search Committee
Arlington Arts Center
3550 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington VA 22201

Bailey Flushes Gopnik

Nude Removed from Pennsylvania show

Now it's time for Pittsburgh to be embarrassed.

From the AP:

An artist's nude depiction of bathing with milk and honey has been removed from a popular Pittsburgh arts festival due to complaints by one of the city's largest businesses.

The video installation by Chilean artist Carolina Loyola-Garcia, titled "The need to wash the self with milk and honey," was covered up and unplugged over the weekend by PPG, which owns the plaza where the multimedia display was exhibited.

The controversial footage portrayed the naked artist bathing with milk and honey in the forest. It was part of the "Best of Pittsburgh 2007" exhibit. PPG found the display inappropriate.

This is within its "rights as a corporate partner to ask us to abide by guidelines they have," said Elizabeth Reiss, executive director of the Three Rivers Arts Festival, currently on display in downtown Pittsburgh.

Reiss told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette she had not seen the video herself, but was told the display included full frontal nudity.

"Nudity doesn't belong in street-front windows. For several years now, Three Rivers has worked hard to put important good work in galleries and responsible pieces on streets," Reiss said.

Art shown in street booths should have a "more family friendly value," she added.

And Mary Thomas writing in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette details a few other interesting issues with nudity by the festival (which I did a few years ago). Read her excellent article here.

Shame on you Pittsbugh.

Congrats

To Bailey, whose work "The Disintegration of the American Empire, A Disillusioned Triptych: In Memory of President Thomas Jefferson, In Memory of President Abraham Lincoln, In Memory of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy Kennedy", was just awarded Best in Photography at artReston 2007.

See all the award winners here.

Who says political art is dead?

Public Art Projects for the Nation's Capital

The Public Art Building Communities grant program offers funds to eligible artists and nonprofit organizations for the creation and installation of permanent public art projects with a life span of at least five (5) years.

Projects must be installed in the District of Columbia and should encourage the growth of quality public art throughout the city, support local artists and nonprofit organizations, and make public art accessible to District residents. Projects must provide exposure of public art to the broader community or to persons traditionally underserved or separated from the cultural mainstream due to geographic location, economic constraints, or disability. Eligible, projects include, but are not limited to: sculpture, mosaics, murals, paving patterns, custom benches, stained glass windows, artistic gates and railing, etc. Funding is available for all fees associated with the design, fabrication and installation of the artwork(s) including: artist fees, materials, insurance, engineering, shipping,
installation services, permit fees, and photographic documentation.

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: September 20, 2007

Montgomery College – Rockville Art Department is accepting entries for the national juried exhibition: Rhythm & Blue. Artwork can be any medium that incorporates rhythm (visual or otherwise) and/or blue (color or feeling). The entry deadline is September 20, 2007. The exhibition will run November 14 – December 12, 2007. No entry fee. Download prospectus here.

Questions may be directed to Michael Sellmeyer, 240-567-7653, or email him at michael.sellmeyer@montgomerycollege.edu - The jurors are Professor Michael Sellmeyer and Professor Kay McCrohan of the Montgomery College-Rockville Art Department. The Montgomery College – Rockville Campus is located in Rockville Maryland, just north of Washington, D.C.

The Consistent Inconsistency of Beauty

Check out the amazing video below for a gorgeous trail of the West's depiction of beauty.