Want some alabaster stones?

The Soviet Socialist Republic of Montgomery County government in Maryland will be taking down pieces of white and tan alabaster stone from one of its buildings in Rockville soon.

They are striated in color (like bacon strips). I am not sure how long the pieces are, but I am told tha they are about 2-3 feet wide, 3/4 inch thick.

If you are a sculptor and would like to reuse it, then please contact Susie Leong at the Arts and Humanities Council, susie.leong@creativemoco.com, 301-565-3805, ext 26.

Have Art? Will Lend $$$$

One art-world business is booming: collectors looking to borrow against works they own, especially before the fall sales threaten to lower values. “We’ve been contacted by lots of people who are feeling some sort of margin call,” says Sotheby’s CEO, Bill Ruprecht. Other lenders have virtually stopped lending against art recently, but Ruprecht says Sotheby’s is still “very comfortable” doing so. (At 2007’s end, the auction house had $176.4 million loaned out; by the middle of this year, it was $212 million.)

Read the entire NY Magazine piece here.

Paper at Projects in Philly

No matter how you print, fold, layer or carve it, paper is often the primary media to which an artist applies their talent.

“Paper” at Philadelphia's Projects Gallery seeks to engage the audience in both the simplicity and the complexity, the universality and the uniqueness and even the humor of paper in the hands of about 20 multi-faceted artists.

Work by Henry Bermudez, Elizabeth Bisbing, Jim Brossy, Peter Gourfain, Frank Hyder, Florence Putterman, Alex Queral, and Caleb Weintraub. Also participating are Virginia Batson, Aubrie Costello, Michael Edwards, Talia Greene, Brooke Holloway, Itsuki Ogihara, Mia Rosenthal, Krista Rothwell, Gregory Farrar Scott, Heather Sundquist and yours truly!

“Paper” opens November 19th with an artists’ reception First Friday, December 5th from 6-9 p.m. The exhibition continues through December 20th.

Volkova at Flashpoint

A few years ago I curated the work of Ukranian-born photographer Elena Volkova into a few exhibitions around the Greater DC area, and she also showed at my former gallery. At that time I was attracted to her ethereal imagery of the Baltic and her sensitive treatment of the subject as shape and form, rather than what it was in itself.

Elena Volkova’s Airscapes, part of the inaugural, city-wide FotoWeek DC is a whole new line of subject matter that still shows this talented artist's sensitive eyes and hand.

“Airscapes is a collection of photo-based prints of clouds that deal with the human perception of boundaries and the essence of a subject against a background of nothingness,” says Volkova whose show opens Friday, November 21 from 5-7pm at The Gallery at Flashpoint and runs through December 20, 2008.

Gallery moves

Michael O'Sullivan yesterday had an excellent spread in the WaPo's Weekend section detailing an assortment of gallery moves and new spaces in the Greater DC region. Read it here.

Barista Art

As I've often repeated myself, I have fond memories of when I was an art student at the University of Washington in Seattle and used to sell all my art school assignments at the Pike Place Market.

I also have fond memories of the original Starbucks there, and the great deals that they would give artists and craftspeople and farmers at the market.

Now, if you are in DC area, you can experience the art beyond the apron at "Avant-Grande 2008," Washington DC's exhibition of visual art and spoken word created by Starbucks baristas.

The event will be hosted at DC's House of Sweden on November 17, starting at 7:30pm. The evening will include hors d'oeuvres and cocktails at this one-of-a kind location on the Georgetown waterfront overlooking the Potomac. Tickets are $20 (including the open bar and food). 100% of ticket sales will benefit Sol y Soul, an arts based organization whose focus is on supporting, creating and inspiring artists of varied backgrounds and proficiencies.

If you would like more information please check out the website at www.starbucksavant-grande.com or contact Aubrey Davis at aubrey@bwfcom.com.

Open bar for twenty bucks! C'mon it's a great deal at a gorgeous location and great views.

Red Dirt Open Studios


Red Dirt is having their Fall Open Studio show and sale this Sunday from 1-5 PM, and the cool thing is that you can also walk to and visit Flux Studios, Washington Glass School, Blue Fire Studio and other neighborhood artists at the same time.

Work by Margaret Boozer, Kate Hardy, Ani Kasten, J.J. McCracken, Joanie Turbek, Irma Alba, Graham Boyle, Sara Caspi, Sandy Dwiggins, Joe Hicks, Leila Holtsman, Ume Hussain, Sean Lundgren and Tetyana Wittkowski. The last time that I visited Red Dirt, visiting artist Joanie Turbek was working on her Prostethic Lawn installation, which will be ready for the open studios.

Red Dirt Studio is at 3706-08 Otis Street, Mt. Rainier, MD 20712... next to the Washington Glass School and a bunch of other artists' studios. More info at:202/607-9472.