Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: November 12, 2010

Gallery West in Old Town Alexandria has a call for artists for their 14th Annual National Juried Show (Exhibit Dates: February 9–March 6, 2011).

The all media show will be juried by yours truly and awards to total $1,000. Click here to download the prospectus.

Losing Hope

The artist whose poster of Barack Obama became a rallying image during the hope-and-change election of 2008 says he understands why so many people have lost faith.

In an exclusive interview with National Journal on Thursday, Shepard Fairey expressed his disappointment with the president -- a malaise that seems representative of many Democrats who had great expectations for Obama.

Read it here.

Cuban gay activist arrested

Last Friday, the Castro dictatorship arrested gay activist Aliomar Janjaque Chivás, president of the LGBT Reinaldo Arenas Foundation, for collecting testimonies that documented abuses against the gay community in Cuba.

The testimonies were to form part of a legal proceeding initiated at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague against the Castro regime for "crimes against humanity." They were subsequently confiscated by the Cuban authorities.

Janjaque was arrested while interviewing various men who had been interned in labor camps due to their sexual orientation.

New Drawing

I've fallen in love with the drawings, paintings and prints by 19th century German artist Ida Teichmann. Below is my homage to one of her best known works: Sleep.

Sleep (Homage to Ida Teichmann). Charcoal and conte on paper. 4 x 26 inches


Detail

Job in the Arts

The Cultural Development Corporation (CuDC), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for artists and arts organizations that stimulate economic development and improve the quality of life in the DC metro area, is accepting applications for the position of Development Manager.

This full-time position works closely with the Director of External Relations to support organizational fundraising activities. This position will focus on individual donor development and special events but will encompass all aspects of fundraising.

Responsibilities:

· Work with External Relations Director to create and execute strategies for individual donor engagement including regular communication, fulfillment and outreach.

· Research, write and submit solicitation letters, proposals and reports for all sources of contributed income.

· Manage special events including Annual Gala, Source Festival Opening and 4-6 smaller events annually.

· Develop strategic relationships in the community and partnerships with other businesses/organizations.

· Work with Communications Manager on donor outreach strategy in conjunction with rebranding efforts.

Requirements:

· Dynamic fundraising skills with at least three years experience and proven track record

· Creative thinker with new ideas for donor engagement

· Superb writing, communication and analytical skills

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

· Exceptional organizational and time management skills

· Expertise in MS Office, experience with QuickBooks Pro and Raiser’s Edge a plus

· Ability and willingness to work flexibly in a fast paced, fast growing non-profit environment

Salary: Commensurate with experience

How to apply: To apply, submit a resume with cover letter to:

Cultural Development Corporation
Development Manager Search
916 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
e hr@culturaldc.org
f 202.315.1303

Initial review of candidates will begin immediately, but applications will be accepted until October 15, 2010.

See ya tonight!


Tonight is the opening for my first substantial exhibition in the DC area in four years. The show is at the School of Art & Design at Montgomery College's King Street Gallery, located in the beautiful Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center at 930 King Street in the Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus.

The opening is tonight, Thursday, September 23, 5:00 – 7:30 pm. I hear there will be a TV crew at the opening, so it sounds like a fun night. There will also be an artists' panel on Monday, Sept. 27, at noon, for one hour. I will be available at the panel and after the panel to discuss and answer any questions that you may have about anything dealing with the visual arts, career, galleries, etc.

Top 6 mustaches in local arts

Can I just say Yay!

My mustache has just made the it to the "Top 6 mustaches in local arts"!

Check it out here.

My dear mustache is a "come and go" mustache these days... I keep growing it and then taking it off, then I grow it again, then I take it off...

I've had a mustache since I was like 16 or 17... and I hate shaving; especially my upper lip. Every time that I shave it this happens: I am well asleep and then I turn over and my naked lip hits the cold pillow and it wakes me up.

Arrrrgh!

Between somewhere in 1972-3 and 2009, the only time that I didn't have a mustache was when I was in Navy bootcamp.

And between 1974 and 1983 I had a full beard, which returned sporadically (such as when I served temporary exchange duties in the British Royal Navy in 1987-1989).

Then full again a beard from 1997-1999 when I sort of went Bohemian for a while again.

The Lenster in 1997
And then around 2004/5 the now classic waxed mustache made its initial appearance. And off and on from there on...

And it has had its payoff for me: I once got a free burrito at Chipotle because the lady making the yummy food really liked my bigote (Spanish for mustache) and gave me a free burro.

Congrats to fellow artists Adrian Parsons and Andrew Wodzianski, who also made the list... and BTW... please note how the "Arts" mustaches kick ass versus the politicians' mustaches.

Coolio Julio Jenny Rogers!

P.S. Emmett Burns (Clarence Thomas doppleganger at the bottom here), you need a new picture dude; a little smile would get a few thousand more votes next time!