Ai Weiwei The Fake Case

There is a new documentary about the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei; it is called AI WEIWEI THE FAKE CASE. 

The documentary explores Ai Weiwei’s life under house arrest, where he is restricted by the Chinese Communist authorities in everything he does – but he does it anyway. 

The director Andreas Johnsen gained intimate access to Ai’s environment after the unlawful 81-day detainment, exploring how China’s one-party political system (kinda like the Soviet Socialist Republic of Maryland's) impacts the life and work of an artist who would not stop speaking out. 

Ai Weiwei has always been an outspoken Freedom of Expression advocate, effectively utilizing social media to spread his message and reach the new generation both in China and abroad.  See the trailer video here.

Ai Weiwei’s lawyers were in turn persecuted and arrested, and the ChiComm state never gave his case due process.

The documentary will play in Washington D.C. through July 4-10 at Landmark’s E Street Cinema. 

It will also be at Freedom House, which will be presenting the Tuesday, July 8^th screening with a special introduction by their executive vice president Dr. Daniel Calingaert.

Gallery B Call for Artists

The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District and Bethesda Urban Partnership are accepting applications for Gallery B in downtown Bethesda!

This gallery, located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E in downtown Bethesda, is available to interested artists and arts organizations for one-month rentals. All media including, but not limited to, painting, photography and sculpture is eligible to use the space. Gallery B does not take a commission on any artwork sold during the exhibition.  

We are seeking applications from local artists and arts organizations for month-long exhibitions in 2015. Gallery B has approximately 1,500 sq. feet of available exhibition space. The deadline for submission is July 18, 2014.

To be considered for a solo or group exhibition, and to review the gallery requirements, please complete this application.

Questions?  Please send them an email to artist@bethesda.org.

List of all superheroes and villains

Check it out here.

Barack Obama as The Batman

Barack Obama as The Batman
2014 F. Lennox Campello
Charcoal and Conte on Paper. Framed to 10x10 inches.

Strathmore Fine Artists in Residence initiative (Fine AIR)

There is not enough that I can say to recommend The Strathmore Fine Artists in Residence initiative (Fine AIR) to all emerging artists.... I have been lucky enough to have been a mentor twice, and can therefore testify what a boost to an artist's career this program is... and it deals and teaches so many diverse areas.... there is nothing even close to it in the DMV, maybe even the nation.

It was established to help cultivate local visual arts talent by connecting established professionals in all aspects of the field with up-and-coming artists.  Emerging artists will be in residence in the Mansion at Strathmore from January – August 2015. During this time, each artist will have the opportunity to develop an audience in the DC metropolitan area, perfect their craft, create and implement an outreach, educational, or special event proposal for Strathmore’s consideration, and premiere a new body of artwork, including a collaborative piece with one’s mentor, commissioned by Strathmore in a culminating exhibition. 

The exhibition of new work will take place in August of 2015 and will reflect the artistic growth of the artist in residence.  Throughout the residency artists meet with a professional artist mentor for career guidance and artistic critique; attend career development workshops; and have the opportunity to teach, lecture, volunteer, exhibit or otherwise participate in Strathmore visual arts programming. Apply here: http://www.strathmore.org/education/series/view.asp?id=10102314

Eligibility:
The Strathmore Fine Artist in Residence Program is open to all emerging visual artists.  All media accepted.
Fine AIR Program Timeline
•             September 8, 2014   Deadline for application
•             September 15 – 18, 2014  Select applicants invited to interview
•             September 29, 2014   Notification of acceptance
•             October 2014   Fine AIR contracts finalized
•             November 2014  Incoming Fine AIR class announced to the public
•             January 2015   Official start of the Fine AIR program
•             August 2015   Exhibition of new work

A Residency at Strathmore includes:
•             An exhibition of new work at the Mansion at Strathmore, Summer 2015
•             Strathmore’s consideration of an outreach, educational, or special event proposal
•             A professional artist mentor throughout the residency
•             Career Development workshops and experiences provided by Strathmore
•             A stipend of $1,000 (Studio space and housing are not available with this residency)

Artist responsibilities include:
•             Mandatory attendance at a Fine AIR welcome event, scheduled meetings with artist mentor, and career development workshops provided by Strathmore.
•             Creation of a new body of saleable work, including a collaborative piece created with one’s mentor, to debut at the 2015 Fine AIR Exhibition at the Mansion at Strathmore.
•             Creation of an outreach, educational, or other visual arts event proposal for Strathmore’s consideration for future seasons.
•             Volunteering at “Discover Strathmore” and “Strathmore Arts Festival” events and by providing an artist demonstration, pop- up of artwork for exhibition and/or sale, or related artistic presence.
•             Volunteer to teach, lecture, and/or demo for the visual art department at least once during residency.  Strathmore charges admission for these programs and all proceeds go toward supporting the Fine AIR program.

We will be at (e)merge this year again...

We got accepted to the (e)merge art fair!

We will be once again showing in the DMV's only world-class fine arts fair.

We will be exhibiting the work of Judith Peck, Tim Vermeulen, Elissa Farrow-Savos and moi of course!

Details later...

Hidden Picasso found in Washington, DC

A hidden portrait has been unearthed beneath Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece “The Blue Room”.

Details here.