Free Art Business Seminar for Artists

On April 10, 2010 from 1-5pm, Gateway CDC in partnership with MNCPPC will be hosting my well-known “Bootcamp for Artists” seminar at no cost to the artists.

This seminar is suitable for all visual artists interested in taking their careers to the next level.

Ever wondered how to maximize the attention your work gets from the press, galleries, and museum curators? How to present your work in a professional manner and save money in the process? How to tap into grants, awards and residencies?

Then this is the seminar for you! This program is free, but space is limited so please email John@Gateway-cdc.org or call 301-864-3860 ext. 3 if you would like to attend. Hurry!

This program will be held in MNCPPC’s Brentwood Arts Exchange on the 1st Floor of the Gateway Arts Center, 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood, MD 20722, just over the District line on Rhode Island Avenue.

Of interest to the general public: a closing reception for the Gateway Arts District Show, which I juried a while back will immediately follow the “Bootcamp for Artists Seminar” from 5-8pm. All are welcome!

Mellema on new gallery

As we reported earlier, a new short-term gallery has moved into the old Numark gallery space downtown. The principal behind it all is none other than Amy Morton, formerly of Principal Gallery in Old Town Alexandria. She's no new comer to those of us who haunt the local art scene on the VA side of the river. Having said that, Morton will be a fresh face to many around town.

"I Dream Awake" is her debut as gallery figurehead, and what a debut it is.

Never mind that she left her old job, secured gallery space, curated, hung and brought a long fallow venue up to speed in a little over a month or so. She also managed to put together one of the strongest group shows in D.C. that's crossed our path in ... hmm ... well, maybe ever.

Folks, we got us a new A-List heavy weight art dealer in town.

Read the whole piece here.

Opportunity for Maryland Artists

Deadline: June 1, 2010

The Montpelier Arts Center is pleased to announce the 2010-12 Library Gallery competition. This year’s juror is John Ruppert, Chair of the Department of Art, University of Maryland. The juror will select 8-10 month exhibitions to be held in the Library Gallery.

To be eligible, artists must reside in Maryland and be over the age of eighteen. Artists may apply for solo exhibitions or as small groups. An honorarium of $300 will be presented for each exhibition to the artist or artists exhibiting (i.e., groups share the $300 honorarium).

The Montpelier Arts Center staff will handle all promotion and installation, as well as the reception. To download the prospectus visit this website. Please contact the arts center at 301 377-7800 or Montpelier.arts@pgparks.com to receive a copy in the mail.

In a couple of Saturdays



In 1891, a 100 acre farm on Bunker Hill Road was purchased by real estate investors, subdivided into house lots, and called Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier was a thriving retreat for politicians and businessmen from Washington, DC. The extension of the street car line from the District into Mount Rainier made the hilly, tree-shrouded land more attractive to developers and prospective buyers. The town of Mount Rainer was incorporated in 1910.

Today the city is home to a food co-op that was founded by conscientious Vietnam War objectors in the 60s, a community corn bin, a bike co-op, a community tool shed, boutiques, dance/art studios, and vintage shops as well as housing designated specifically for artists. With a population of approximately 8,500, Mount Rainier continues to be a retreat for those that want to live just on the outskirts of our nation’s capital.

The Centennial Exhibition will display photographs, newspaper clippings, and city documents dating back to 1910.

Mount Rainier, Maryland Centennial Celebration
Centennial Exhibition: April 9-May 15, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 10, 2010 2-6PM
Mount Rainier History Talk: Bryan Knedler, Saturday, May 1, 2010 3-5PM

Art Donations needed

Two Rivers Public Charter School is requesting art donations through 4/16 for their upcoming 6th Annual Art Gala. Please consider donating one of your creations to be entered into their silent auction. Over 40 artists participated in last years event.

This year they are making an effort to exceed that number. If you have artwork which you can donate by April 16, please contact Kim at dcgirls2001@yahoo.com.

Richard Flood on art bloggers

"Blogs are like being out on a prairie and one prairie dog pops up; none of the others can see it, but they can feel the movement in the earth. So another pops up. And another. They are not communicating with each other. They have no idea. History means nothing to them. Truth means nothing to them. They have no mechanism in place for checking [facts]."

Read about it here.

Calling all teaching artists‏

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is currently gathering information on DC teaching artists to advance Arts Education in our schools and to promote life long learning.

Please take just a few minutes of your time to complete their survey, or forward it to someone you know who is a teaching artist. Their goal is to amass a Teaching Artist Roster. Take the survey here.