WaPo is seeking works by local artists

"Jessica Dawson is hitting the studios to uncover Washington talent.
It's all part of Real Art D.C., the Washington Post's exciting new platform for contemporary art in the Washington region. There's also a related competition open to all area artists.

What is Real Art D.C.? An online virtual gallery of works by local artists that will allow Post readers to discover and connect with Washington's newest talents. Artists themselves will post their own work -- and so will dealers and teachers on their behalf -- and anyone can click through and see the spectrum of local creativity."

Read all about this interesting new venture by the WaPo here.

As part of the effort, Dawson will select "a new artist-finalist every few weeks and visit the artist's studio, reporting about what she finds on the Real Art D.C. site."

I like it!

Here is where you upload your images to be considered.

Before you do that, I recommend that you read the Terms and Conditions and pay very careful attention to rule number 8 which states:

8. Submitted Entry Materials will be posted on WashingtonPost.com, and may be included in both print and online features and promotions. In addition, by entering you grant Sponsor a license to publish, reproduce, use, transfer, and otherwise display your Entry Materials in any medium and for any purpose in Sponsor's sole discretion.

I'm having a little trouble digesting that condition, which essentially all but gives the copyright of the image to the Washington Post and I am not sure why the WaPo would want to "use" the artists' entry in "any medium and for any purpose", unless they're planning to put some images on T-shirts and sell them at the next Crafty Bastards fair (not a book though, as rule 20 clarifies).

I want you readers to comment on that condition (number 8) and let me know what you think.

Wanna go to an artist talk tomorrow?

Michelle & Michael Singletary's current show at Parish Gallery in Georgetown is "Music, Dance, and Michael Jackson," showing through April 13, 2010. There's an Artist Talk on Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 4:00 to 5:30PM.

Artist get together

Join WPA staff and artist members at Jackie’s Restaurant on April 14th at 8pm for a cash bar and mingling with fellow artists in the Silver Spring area! Happy hour prices for attendees at Jackie’s new Sidebar!

Saturday: 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. Registration ends at noon tomorrow.

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! You must register no later than noon tomorrow!

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!

A free business seminar and then a closing reception with munchies and wine... life is good.

Tape Sculpture Contest Winner Announced

Scotch Brand awarded Elizabeth K. Lee from Spring Valley, Wis., a $5,000 cash prize in the The Scotch Off the Roll Tape Sculpture Contest, sponsored by 3M.

Lee took her creativity off the roll by designing and constructing "Can I Keep Him," a tape sculpture depicting a larger than life goldfish swimming in a clear bag. Her sculpture 'stuck' in the minds of the judging panel, beating out more than 135 other tape sculpture entries.

The jury panel included our own Mark Jenkins, the American artist most widely known for the street installations that he creates using Scotch Packaging Tape.

At $5,000 for a top prize, I bet they get a lot more than 135 entries next year. Check out all the award winners here.

Pecha Kucha

As part of Architecture Week 2010, the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects will have a Pecha Kucha 20 x 20 (Pecha Kucha is a series of short slide presentations - approx 6 minutes each- on cool, entertaining topics held where conversation, ideas and drinks can flow - the phrase Pecha Kucha roughly translates as "chit chat").

The speakers include: Michael Janis,Glass Artist; Kevin Wyllie, Architect, Catholic University School of Architecture; Ron Anzalone, Archeologist; Tom Kamm, Theatrical Stage Designer; Chul Park, Graphic Artist, Forest Allread, Artist, Corcoran School of Art; Brian Frickie, Architect; and others.

The Pecha Kucha is a great way to meet, exchange ideas and network with other artists, architects and designers - and it is being held at the Light Horse Restaurant in the Old Town section of Alexandria.

What: NoVA's AIA PechaKucha 20 x 20 Night
When: April 13
Doors open at 6:00p with presentations beginning at 7:00p
Where: Light Horse Restaurant & Bar, 715 King Street Alexandria, VA.

Enjoy food and drink and discover a fun way to share ideas and experiences as presenters illustrate something they are passionate about with only 20 images, shown for 20 seconds each. The event is free, although attendees will be purchasing their own refreshments. Reservations are not required.

MPA Artfest

MPAartfest is a one-day juried fine art and craft show and sale featuring the work of 40 local and regional visual artists.

McLean Central Park will reverberate with the sights and sounds of art and music on Sunday, October 3rd at the 4th annual MPAartfest. Last year’s event drew 6,000 art and music devotees.

Submission deadline: June 1
Event Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010
Details: here