Monday, October 28, 2019

Boot Camp for Artists Seminar this Saturday

The Artists’ Boot Camp

Saturday, November 2nd, 10am-4pm , in the John Addison Concert Hall of Harmony Hall
Harmony Hall Arts Center presents Mr. Lenny Campello’s seminar, “The Artists’s Boot Camp”, open to all Prince George’s County artists, 16 and up.  Mr. Campello is the Greater Washington D.C. area’s pre-eminent art dealer, critic, consultant and blogger as well as artist. He designed his seminar to deliver information, data and proven tactics to artists, and to allow them to develop and sustain a career in the fine arts. Some of the topics that he will cover are, creating a resume, creating a body of work, selling your art, juried shows and news releases, just to name a few. 
The seminar is free and lunch is included. Seating is limited so please call 301.446.3251 or email stuart.diekmeyer@pgparks.com to register and provide lunch preference.

This seminar usually books very quickly, so I'd recommend that you RSVP as soon as possible! It is open to ALL artists - not just PG County residents!

We'll discuss:

As many of you know, for over a decade or so I have been teaching a course for artists and arts professional, that course, for the last few years has been known as “Boot Camp for Artists.”

That seven hour seminar, which has been taken by over 2,000 artists and arts professionals from all over the Mid Atlantic is designed to deliver information, data and proven tactics to allow artists to develop and sustain a career in the fine arts.

In the past, I’ve discussed the importance of artists having their work at the various art fairs held around the world, most notably during Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) week in the Greater Miami area.

Presentation is a huge part of an artist’s professional life, and more often than it should be, presentation is a detractor and takes away from the artwork.

Why am I discussing that here? Because before you start exploring the various ways to get your artwork invited to the “big dance” during ABMB week, as an artist you should be ready to play with the big dogs when it comes to all the tools of the trade needed to set foot in a world-class art fair.

It is not unusual for me to step foot in a gallery and see artwork which (at least from a presentation point of view) is “not ready” for primetime… this is getting to be rarer and rarer as galleries struggle to survive, but still there.

In its four hour format, the seminar covers a wide range of structured issues, including the below list, but essentially artists should at least be aware and explore:

1. Materials – Buying materials and strategies for lowering your costs, where and how to get it, etc.

2. Presentation – How to properly present your artwork including Conservation issues, Archival Matting and Framing, Longevity of materials, a discussion on Limited editions, signing and numbering, Prints vs. Reproduction, discussion on Iris Prints (Pros and Cons).

3. Creating a resume – Strategy for building your art resume, including how to write one, what should be in it, presentation, etc.

4. Juried Shows – An Insider’s view and strategy to get in the competitions.

5. How to take images of your artwork

6. Selling your art – A variety of avenues to actually selling your artwork, including fine arts festivals, corporate acquisitions, galleries, public arts, etc.

7. Creating a Body of Works

8. How to write a news release

9. Publicity – How to get in newspapers, magazines, etc. Plus handouts on email and addresses of newspaper critics, writers, etc.

10. Galleries – Discussion on area galleries including Vanity Galleries, Co-Operatives, Commercial Galleries, Non-profit Art spaces, etc.

11. How to approach a gallery – Realities of the business, Contracts, Gallery/Artist Relationship, Agents.

12. Fine Art Fairs – Discussion and advice on how to sell outwork at fine arts festivals, which to do, which to avoid, etc.

13. Resources – Display systems and tents, best juried shows and ones to avoid.

14. Accepting Credit cards – How to set up your art business.

15. Grants – Discussion on how to get grants in DC, Regional and National, including handouts on who and where and when.

16. Alternative Marketing – Cable TV, Local media


17. Internet – How to build your website at no cost, how to establish a wide and diverse Internet presence.

Harmony Hall
10701 Livingston Road 
Fort Washington, MD 20744

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

11th Annual International Drawing Discourse Exhibition

Deadline: December 1, 2019. 

The University of North Carolina Asheville announces a call to artists for a juried art exhibition, January 17 - February 21, 2020 at the Holden Gallery at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. $2,000 in awards. 

Juror: William Beckman. In effort to support the breadth in contemporary drawing, media is open to any traditional or experimental drawing media welcoming both two or three-dimensional works, video and/or installation. Size is open to works that can fit through a standard set of double doors, 10'3" ceiling height and up to 42' for both floor and wall space. 

Open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older. All work must be original, completed in the past two years and cannot have been exhibited at UNC Asheville before. It is at the Juror's discretion to choose single or multiple works from each artist's submission. $30 for one image, $5 each additional image up to 6 images max (total $55 for 6 images). 

For more more info., go to: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=7143  Contact: tbeldue@unca.edu or call 828-252-6845. https://art.unca.edu/ 

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Join Nueva Vida in the fight against breast cancer

Tonight, Saturday, October 19th, local, national and international artists will join Nueva Vida in the fight against breast cancer through a silent art auction at the Art Museum of the Americas. Approximately 66 artists from 19 different nationalities will be exhibiting over 100 pieces of art with a variety of styles and mediums, such as sculpture, painting (abstract and figurative), photographs, installation and digital media. 
 
This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire quality pieces under the retail price while simultaneously benefiting a good cause. Proceeds will benefit Nueva Vida, a unique organization helping the underserved Latino community in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Nueva Vida’s free cancer programs ensure that, among other activities, 1,444 disadvantaged Latinas receive cancer screenings every year.

Below is a link to the online catalogue because art is the language of health and our artists have touched their souls in creating their work.

To view the catalogue please click on this picture.


Thursday, October 17, 2019

Call for artists

Chronicles of the African American Journey Through Fiber Arts

Deadline: October 31, 2019. 


The Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland is accepting submissions for fiber-based artwork for an upcoming exhibition titled Chronicles of the African American Journey Through Fiber Arts. The theme revolves around the lives of African Americans and the journeys they have taken to arrive where they are today. Artwork may include processes related to quilting, felting, sewing, beading and more. The exhibition runs, January 11, 2020 - March 1, 2020. 

The exhibition is open to artists 18 and older who reside in the United States. Artists should include a bio and artist statement with current contact information to be considered and may submit up to three pieces of artwork. Please include title, date, materials, dimensions, price, and at least one detailed image of the artwork. There is no entry fee. Artists’ whose work is chosen for the exhibition are responsible for dropping off and picking up artwork and/or postage and handling of delivery and return of their work. Montpelier Arts Center retains a 25% commission for any sold artwork. 

Submissions can be made through the online Submittable platform at: https://montpelierartscenter.submittable.com/submit You can find more information about the Montpelier Arts Center at arts.pgparks.com.