ArtFest

More than 30 local and regional visual artists will be showcased at the first-ever McLean Project for the Arts MPA artfest, being held on October 14 in McLean, Va.

The inaugural MPA artfest will take place on Sunday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at McLean Central Park in McLean, Va. (1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, Va. 22101). MPA artfest, featuring a juried fine art and craft show and sale, will be presented annually.

“McLean Project for the Arts is proud to bring MPA artfest to the McLean and Northern Virginia community. We hope residents and their guests will enjoy seeing the fabulous artwork of local and regional artists,” said Nancy Powers Perry, the organization’s executive director.

For more information about MPA artfest, visit the MPA Web site at www.mpaart.org and click on the “MPA artfest logo,” or call (703) 790-1953 or send e-mail to artfest@mpaart.org.

Bethesda Artist Market Returns October 13

On October 13, 2007, from 10am-5pm, the Bethesda Artist Market returns to Bethesda Place Plaza, 7700 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda (one block from the Bethesda Metro stop). The event features artwork and fine crafts for sale by nearly 30 regional and local artists working in painting, photography, jewelry, turned wood, blown glass, metalwork and mixed media.

If you're either a beginning or advanced collector, this is a great place to find original and very affordable art being sold by a set of very talented artists. See the exhibiting artists here.

Details here.

Easy newsmaker

Dutch artist Ivo Hendriks uses the tried-and-true formula of easy shock to get some temporary notoriety: he exhibits a collage depicting the late Pope John Paul II being sodomised.

The exhibit is in Ibiza, and the local bishop is really pissed.

So Hendriks achieved what he wanted, but I dare the little chickensit to exhibit a collage of the M-word-dude being sodomized or some well-known and fanatically followed imam being drilled and then let's see what happens.

Read the story here.

New gallerina

Ksenia Grishkova is the new director at DC's Touchstone Gallery, one of the DC area's oldest fine arts galleries, but one which has unfortunately been going through a lot of directors in the last few years. Hopefully the artist-members who run the gallery have found a long-lasting one in Ksenia.

The gallery is currently having a call for artists for their "Art on the Small Side," which is an all media holiday show (including fine craft) juried by Rosemary Luckett and Baltimore painter Jon Wassom.

Selection of work will be done from the actual pieces, and not by slide or digital images. All works must be brought to the gallery during gallery hours of 12 to 5 PM on Saturday, December 8 or 9 from 12-4 PM on Sunday, Dec. 9. No shipments will be accepted.

To get a copy of the full prospectus, go to www.touchstonegallery.com or e-mail Ksenia for more information at touchstonegallery@verizon.net.

Good read

The WCP's Jessica Gould marries a really interesting story with an intelligent artist profile in this article in the current issue of the CP.

Zoe coming to DC

More later, as we get closer to the date, but making a note that H&F Fine Arts upcoming exhibition Dig is not only being guest curated by Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof, publishers of Fallon and Rosof's Artblog, which was selected by Art in America as one of the country's top art blogs, but also the exhibition will feature the work of eight Philadelphia based artists, including one of my Philly faves: Zoe Strauss.

I think this will be Zoe's first-ever DC area appearance. This talented photographer was one of the bright spots in the last Whitney Biennial.


Dig runs from October 18 to November 24. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, October 20, from 4–7 pm.

The eight artists chosen by Roberta and Libby range from major award winners to emerging talents. In addition to Whitney Biennial bright-spot Zoe Strauss, Barbara Bullock, and Candy Depew (and also Zoe) are each winners of Pew Fellowships in the Arts. Fleisher Challenge Award winners Depew and Kip Deeds have had prestigious solo shows at the Fleisher Art Memorial. The exhibition will also feature work by Nick Lenker, Jen Packer, Thom Lessner, and Jayson Scott Musson.

Job in the Arts

The Arlington Arts Center has created a new position and is looking for a part-time (20 hour/week) Program Assistant to support our Exhibitions and Education teams. Responsibilities will include ordering and maintaining supply inventories, coordinating registration for classes, communicating with students and artists, preparing materials for exhibitions and lectures, and assisting with installation and signage.

An ideal candidate will have a BA or BFA, strong computer skills (a knowledge of Photoshop and desktop publishing is desirable), and a knowledge of the proper handling and installation of art. Knowledge of Spanish is helpful but not required. Some weekends and evenings will be required. Candidate must have excellent people skills, a sense of adventure, and flexibility in a fast-paced work environment. This is an hourly position; rate based on experience.

Please send resume and cover letter to info@arlingtonartscenter.org with "program assistant" in the subject line or by fax to 703-248-6849.