On the return of stolen Cuban artwork

A decade ago I discussed this issue - read it here.

There are a lot of museums in Europe, mostly France, and a lot of collectors in Europe and Asia, and several major auction houses that are nervously looking to what happens in Cuba once its brutal dictatorship finally ends.

They are nervous because worldwide courts have consistently recognized the right of original owners to the return of artwork which has been looted by governments and dictatorships, confiscated, sold and re-sold.

30th National Drawing & Print Competitive Exhibition at Gormley Gallery

On view March 18 through April 26, 2019
Juror: Ginevra Shay, former Artistic Director of The Contemporary

Featuring work by Mark Bischel, Jessica Burke, Suzanne Michele Chouteau, Michael DeLuca, Anne Finucane, Robin Gibson, M. Alexander Gray, Ming Hong, Jennifer Hoskins, Elena Johnston, Andrew Kozlowski, Camila Linaweaver, Sascha Mallon, Kathy McGhee, Lisa Parker Hyatt, Eva Redamonti, William Dean Reynolds, Carmen Schaefer, Charlotte Schulz, Rhonda Smith, Ellen Verdon Winkler, and Lauren Yandell

Reception and Gallery Talk: Saturday, March 23, 4-6pm
Reception and Gallery Talk
Saturday, March 23, 2019
4:00 to 6:00pm
Remarks by juror Ginevra Shay

Gormley Gallery is located on the second floor of Fourier Hall
on the campus of Notre Dame of Maryland University
4701 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210

Invitational Exhibition at Waverly

There was a time when the streets of Bethesda were paved with art galleries from curb to curb: Fraser, Heineman, Neptune, Osuna, etc. - at one point a decade ago there were 13 galleries in the Bethesda Art Walk!

Waverly Gallery is now one of a handful of Bethesda galleries which has stood the test of time, and is still around since its founding in 1993. Part of that survival skills is the fact that this gallery is a cooperative gallery, riding the capricious tides of the economy on the robust shoulders of its member artists.

The gallery recently hosted its invitational exhibit, with work by Henry Winokur, Joan April, Shaune Bazner, Kyujin Lee, JoEllen Murphy, Jill Cantrill, Paul Guilderson, Lucy Louise Derickson, John D. Antone, Jack Allbrittain, Mariana Kastrinakis, Kim Blue, Carol Barsha, Hunt Prothro, John Paradiso, Sue Osterhout, Andreia Gliga, Sara Parent-Ramos, Courtney Applequist, and Diane Szczepaniak.

Dreams and Shadows by Courtney Applequist

My favorite "new" discovery was the work, the very painterly paintings of Courtney Applequist - I was intrigued by the technique - is it a palette which is delivering these immensely sensual paintings? the brush? or a mixture of both? In any event, the sense of moistness, light and volume is palpable in this elegant work - keep an eye on this artist.

Adrift by Kyujin Lee

I've seen Kyujin Lee's work previously - and I am always impressed by the facility with which this artist tackles such interesting subjects.

John Paradiso

John Paradiso is a DMV artrockstar... 'nuff said!

Spanglish Update: Keliabundia

Spanglish Update: The other night, as the gods of RF propagation dictate, an AM station from somewhere in the world popped into my van's radio - I could tell from the accent that it was a NYRican speaking into the airwaves. 

He was rather vociferously trashing a certain new and young Congresswoman from NY, but what caught my attention was his use of the adjective "keliabundia" to describe the lady in question. 

As it was clearly some sort of NewYorkism Spanglish, I had no idea what it meant... until I Googled it and it was not found in the vastness of the Internets... but Google's suggestion immediately clarified it for me! 

That nameless voice in the night sky was comparing @AOC to Kelly Bundy!

Not Googling-linking to Kelly Bundy... you're gonna hafta do that!

Call for Proposals

Howard County, Maryland desires to secure the professional services of qualified artists for the purpose of commissioning up to three artworks to be installed at its new Circuit Courthouse, which is currently being designed by Edgemoor-Star America Judicial Partners (ESJP). Permanent public interior and exterior Artwork pieces are planned. 

The Howard County Arts Council will serve as one of the art advisors for the selection process. Selected artists will contract directly with the County and work with the public art project team to oversee all aspects of the artwork from design through project implementation, fabrication and installation. 

Eligibility: 
All professional artists in the United States may apply. Additionally, to be considered for this commission the artist must meet at least three of the following four criteria: 1) has completed public art commissions; 2) has received awards, grants or fellowships; 3) has had work exhibited in museums or galleries; and 4) has demonstrated artistic merit, excellence and innovation through past work.

Budget Details:
County funding for this artworks project will not exceed $460,000. 

Submission Procedures:
Interested artists may view the complete Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) and apply online at hocoarts.submittable.com. Applications must be submitted no later than 4:00pm EST on March 29, 2019. 

How to frame your work

It is not that hard people!

Regardless of what your framer or your interior decorator, or your mom tells you, the prime purpose of a frame is to protect the artwork and ready it for presentation and exhibition.

Read the rest of this great piece of advice.

Open life drawing sessions

Hyattsville Figure Drawing Group

Tuesday, April 2, 6-9pm
Model: Jalene

Welcome to open life drawing sessions every Tuesday, 6-9pm in Pyramid Atlantic's gallery space in the Gateway Arts District, Hyattsville. Bring along your favorite art materials and draw with us! Chairs, tables and drawing boards provided.

All are welcome, under 18 legal guardian permission required. Drop-ins welcome, no experience necessary!

Where: 
Pyramid Atlantic Art Center*
4318 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781
Free parking in rear of building

When: 
Tuesdays, 6-9pm

Cost: 
$20/session or $75/5-session punch card or $15/session for Pyramid Atlantic members (proof required)

For more information: 
https://www.meetup.com/Hyattsville-Figure-Drawing-Group-Meetup