Wann go to three openings in one place this weekend?

Workhouse Arts Foundation | 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079

VMFA: Futures

Group Exhibition

On View through October 6

Reception: Saturday, August 10, 6-8pm

McGuireWoods Gallery, 2nd Floor

Workhouse Arts Center is pleased to present VMFA: Futures showcasing a select group of artists joining the 2019-2020 Fellowship Program at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia. This lucid presentation is comprised of a broad selection of humanizing works of ingenuity which liven the art landscape through sculpture, videography, painting, photography and new media.

VMFA: Futures highlights emerging talent but also explores commonalities amongst the artists’ work each sharing visual, woven poems referencing subjects such as the acceleration of environmental destruction, the grasp of fading moments, the provocation of word play, the resonance of family belongings and the ritual of preservation. Exploring forms of personal documentation, this exhibition examines the artists’ response and dealings with traces of past and present and interacting perspectives.

Featured artists include Soomin Ham, Rebecca Silberman, David Franusich and Sarah Phillips.

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(Im)Permanence Continued

Solo Exhibition, Cynthia Myron

On View through October 6

Reception: Saturday, August 10, 6-8pm

McGuireWoods Gallery, 2nd Floor

Clay International

Juried Exhibition

On View through October 13

Reception: Saturday, August 10, 6-8pm

Vulcan Gallery, 1st Floor

Clay International represents the depth and breadth of contemporary functional and sculptural ceramic artworks being created throughout the country. Ceramic Artist and Educator – Peter Beasecker juried over 300 images to select 52 pieces of art which incorporate a contemporary spirit as well as a technical mastery of the material. The show is a rare opportunity to see a variety of styles and techniques which encompass the field of contemporary ceramic arts.

Juror’s Statement – It was an honor to be asked this year to jury the 2019 Workhouse Clay International. With over a few hundred entries, it was exhilarating as it was exhausting. As a juror, I found myself exercising my imaginative abilities to envision the three-dimensionality of the objects, filling the absence of intimacy experienced only by close inspection and touch. I was most drawn to the pieces that ignited my curiosity and left me wanting more: works that both challenged and reaffirmed my own sensibilities. Though I was impressed with the range of entries, I did not select pieces for diversity’s sake. Rather, I chose objects that expressed a sense of confidence in what they were or the conviction of their message. While some pieces clearly embraced risks and were a part of a more contemporary conversation, that did not dim the light of those pieces quietly celebrating the rich history of the functional vessel.

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Guess who's on the cover

Yep - those smiley folks on the cover of Potomac Living magazine are none other than The Campellos!

The photo is by an uber talented photographer - the spectacularly talented Ksenia Pro - see more of her work at her website here.

And more about Potomac Living magazine here!

Two new exhibits, opening on August 30, 2019: Transformations and Fragments.

Transformations features mixed media and installation works created by Rachel Borgman, Artemis Herber, Chris Hornsby, and Sunyoung Lee. 

While these artists focus on a variety of concepts, they each describe the process of art-making as integral to their work. Rachel Borgman uses art historical documentation and biographical sources to weave together a complex web of possible narratives that marry fact with fiction, creating painting copies and immersive painting spaces inspired by her investigations. Artemis Herber’s large-scale artworks on corrugated cardboard raise questions about urban culture and sustainability while exploring geo-economic landscapes expressing local issues or global concerns. Chris Hornsby utilizes dark and light fractured imagery to create paintings that explore the complex yet surprising interaction between control, contradiction, and humanity’s violent struggle to succeed. Sunyoung Lee’s work stems from the similarities between painting and writing. Using thick and rapid calligraphy-like brushstrokes, she creates abstract letter paintings intended to be read emotionally rather than literally.

Fragments showcases photography by local artists Willy Conley and Don James. 

In Willy Conley’s self-titled “watergraphs,” he captures water reflections which are then turned upside-down. Depending on environmental factors such as wind, debris in the water, and the color of the sky, each inverted reflection creates a painting in its own right. Don James’ photographs appear to be abstract creations but are actually a faithful representation of the shape and near-monochrome appearance of his subjects. Drawn to subjects rarely noticed by others, he photographs man-made structures, details of common objects, and short-lived fragments of nature.

Transformations and Fragments will be on display from August 30 – October 11, 2019. A reception for both exhibits will be held on Friday, September 13 from 6–8 pm, in conjunction with the Arts Council’s Annual Meeting and Grant Awards Ceremony. Resident artists will also host Open Studios from 7-8pm. This reception is part of the Arts Council’s annual Road to the Arts weekend, featuring special exhibits and receptions hosted by Howard County galleries and art spaces from September 12-15. 

HCAC Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday 12-4pm. The Galleries are closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 2, 2019. To learn more about HCAC programs and exhibits, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or visit hocoarts.org.

Homage to the Ice Pirate

As I noted earlier, my best friend from the Navy, and one of the US Navy's most legendary figures... simply known to the world of Navy submariners as the "Ice Pirate" died unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

As an homage to William Randall (Randy) Ray, I've done these four pieces which I will be gifting to his family.

"The Ice Pirate"
Pen and ink on toned paper, 20x24 inches

Study for "The Ice Pirate"
Charcoal on paper, 8x10 inches

Study for "The Ice Pirate"
Graphite on paper, 8x10 inches

"Randy Ray in the Arctic"
Ink on paper, 10x8 inches

Randy Ray, RIP

My best friend from when I was in the Navy, Randy Ray died unexpectedly on the 28th doing what he did best: serving his country in a submarine somewhere in the planet underwater.

From his obit:

William Randall Ray (AKA Randy), 63, of Santee, CA, passed away at sea on June 27th, 2019, doing what he loved. Randy is survived by his wife, Karen, of 44 years, mother Shirley Ray, daughters Misty (Jesse) Rubinol, Rachael (Valentine) Chavez, Amy (Matt) Knippel, grandchildren Riley Rubinol, Cecily Rubinol, Mateo Rubinol, Amelia Chavez, Gabriella Chavez, Owen Knippel, Wyatt Knippel, Joaquin Chavez, 5 siblings, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Randy served his country faithfully, 20 years active duty and 25 as a Department of the Navy civil servant. He enlisted in the US Navy in June of 1973. While his latest role as an Ice Pilot working with the Arctic Submarine Laboratory was his most fulfilling, he held several enlisted and officer positions during his career in the US Navy and was respected by men & women up and down the chain of command; seamen, airmen, captains and admirals alike.

When he wasn’t navigating glaciers & reefs to guide submarines safely to their destinations, he enjoyed music, sports, spending time with family & catering to his wife’s & daughters’ every want & need. He had dreams to retire from civil service in September of 2020 and to move to Tennessee with wife, Karen. Randy aspired to spend his retirement fishing Tennessee rivers, coaching little league and possibly even dabbling in community theater. Randy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to every person he met – his passing is felt deeply by many near and far. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for your support in memorial contributions to Autism Speaks as Randy was a fierce advocate for all of his grandchildren.

I remember when we were stationed together in San Diego, and then in Newport, and then at the University of Washington, and we were commissioned together... but my strongest memory of Randy, is when we were in the San Diego Navy softball finals, and Youngblood was at bat, and all we needed was one out to win the championship, and we were up by one, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two outs... 

And I was the pitcher and the count was 3 -2, and for some reason I always seemed to walk her, and Randy called time out, ran to the pitcher's mound from the outfield, and said to me, "If you walk her again, I will kick your ass." He then ran back to the outfield, and I thought about it, and pitched her a perfect strike... 

Fair winds and following seas my dear friend.

Opportunity for Artists

 Artist Opportunities 

Click links below for more information.

 Open Call for Art Lab (MFA Students) 

 Open Call for General Exhibits 

 Open Call for Warrior Way Gallery (Military Service Members) 

Four artists demanded their works be removed from the Whitney Biennial

The four artists’ letter comes just two days after Artforum published an essay by Hannah Black, Ciarán Finlayson, and Tobi Haslett titled “The Tear Gas Biennial,” in which they called out the artists in the biennial for not boycotting the exhibition over Kanders’s presence on the museum’s board.

What this really means: We (anyone) can now start going throught the boards of all museums, and universities, and 503(c) and whatever, and if we don't like what one of the trustees or board members does for a living, of where his/her samolians are invested in, we can now demand that artist do not show in those museums or organizations!*

Read the whole puzzling article here.

* This of course, does not apply if the person in question is also a major donor to the right causes... cough, cough...