Call for a new MLK statue

Deadline: December 5, 2008November 2008

The City of Hollywood, Florida invites interested artists with bronze sculpting expertise to submit a proposal to create a sculpture of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to be displayed at the newly renovated ArtsPark at Young Circle in Historic Downtown Hollywood. Adult artists with bronze sculpting expertise are encouraged to apply. Artist teams are eligible to apply, including teams of artists from multiple disciplines.

The artist will also provide a schematic design for the bust’s concrete base to include the incorporation of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech in its entirety. The project will be publicly displayed outdoors at the ArtsPark at Young Circle and provide a new platform of public art to facilitate community interaction of diverse populations. The maximum budget is $20,000. For Questions or an Application Please Call: Renée Jéan, Grants Manager, at 954-921-3201.

Tonight: Fixation photography exhibit at Fight Club‏ in DC


This Friday, November 14, from 8:30 pm - 2 am at the Fight Club (1250 9th Street, NW, enter through the rear in Blagden Alley, from N St., between 9th and 10th).

Taxing Botero

"Colombian painter and sculptor Fernando Botero is being investigated on suspicion of tax evasion, Italian authorities said Tuesday.

Tax police in the northern town of Viareggio said they are investigating whether Botero, famous for works of plump figures, should have declared 7 million euros ($8.92 million) in earnings from 2003-2008.

They allege that Botero must pay taxes in Italy because his artworks are produced entirely by companies and foundries in the country that distribute them to galleries worldwide."

Read the AP story here.

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: December 9, 2008.

Florida's Art in State Buildings Program announces a new public art project at the University of North Florida. The College of Education & Human Services has a budget of $40,000 and the art selection committee is open to commissioning site-specific work and/or purchasing existing artwork. Interested artists can view the new Call by going to the University of North Florida's Facilities Planning & Construction website and clicking on Art in State Buildings under Quick Links, and then Call to Artists: www.unf.edu/dept/facplan. For more information, contact the Project Administrator:

Linda Sciarratta
University of North Florida
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224.

Call 904.620.281 or email lsciarra@unf.edu.

Viva Chile in Philly

Later today Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will make a proclamation naming this week in November the “Viva Chile in Philadelphia!” week for Philadelphia.

He will be joined by Chilean Ambassador Mariano Fernandez who will honor Hizzoner with the Orden de Bernardo O’Higgins, Grado Comendador, Chile’s highest commendation for non-Chilean citizens. The award, which is approved by the President of Chile, is the first such commendation from Chile a Philadelphia Mayor has ever received. Bernardo O'Higgins was the son of an Irish-born Spanish colonial administrator in Chile (figure that one out) and he rose from obscurity to become the Hero of the Wars of Independence from Spain. His father, Ambrosio O'Higgins, Marquis of Osorno, was a Spanish officer born in County Sligo in Ireland, who later became governor of Chile and later viceroy of Peru. Because Spanish government officials in the Americas were forbidden to marry locals, and Bernardo's mother was a Chilean creole, Chile's independence hero was born as an illegitimate son, and yet rose to lead the new nation's asskicking of Spanish rulers.

Philadelphia will then open its cultural arms to embrace Chilean culture as the city celebrates the sights, sounds and flavors of Chile in a series of events called Viva Chile in Philadelphia.

This set of events will offer performances of Chilean musicians, an exhibition of Chilean Art from the 1960s, a celebration of Chile’s gastronomy, tastings of Chilean wine, a film festival, seminars, talks and much more.

Events take place November 13-21, 2008 and details are here. Most events are free and open to the public.

Viva Chile everywhere!

New DC gallery

LUMAS has 14 galleries around the world and they represent over 120 contemporary photographers and classic estates. Their Grand Opening reception and "Foto Week DC Blowout" in their brand new 3500 square foot Georgetown space is Thursday, November 20, 2008 from6:00pm - 11:00pm.

Finding Equilibrium tomorrow in Alexandria

I'm hearing all kinds of good things about a really cool sculpture exhibit at Alexandria's Target Gallery by Tennessee artist Travis Graves.

I'm hearing it from people’s reactions when they get a glance from the hallway of the Torpedo Factory and see his work and it draws them right in to see if they can figure out just how he did that. His craftsmanship is impeccable and the unsettling feeling that he is trying to convey is quite successful.


At first glance it appears to be just logs that he has cleverly balanced or suspended in unlikely ways, but further inspection into the artist’s process leads to discovery of exceptional talent and craftsmanship. He is taking real logs and completely deconstructing and putting them back together again, bark and all, and visitors can’t even tell from the naked eye how he did it.

Graves is coming in from Tennessee for the reception and he will be providing a brief gallery talk about his process and message on Thursday, November 13 at 7pm.