Monday, November 24, 2014

Who's going to ABMB this year?

The below list is courtesy of The Center for the Creative Economy



DC Area Artists - Art Basel Miami - 2014

..........................................................
Jennifer Jacobs, Aqua Art Miami Director  jjacobs@art-miami.com
(T) 503.810.7903

Mayer Fine Arts - Aqua Art Miami
Judith Peck judithpeck@prodigy.net (with Mayer Fine Arts at Aqua Art Miami)
Victoria Gaitan (with Mayer Fine Arts at Aqua Art Miami)

Morton Fine Art - Aqua Art Miami
Stephon Senegal (Morton Fine Art, Aqua Art Miami)
Victor Ekpuk vekpuk@yahoo.com (Morton Fine Art, Aqua Art Miami)

Hamiltonian Gallery - Aqua Art Miami - www.hamiltoniangallery.org
Joshua Haycraft <haycraftj@bhbitb.com> (Hamiltonian Gallery at Aqua)
Annette  Isham <annette.isham@gmail.com> (Hamiltonian Gallery at Aqua)

VENUE Context Art Miami www.contextartmiami.com

Alida Anderson Art Projects - Context Art Miami info@alidaanderson.com
Audrey Wilson audreywilson4@gmail.com (with Alida Anderson at Context Art Miami)
Lenny Campello lenny@lennycampello.com (with Alida Anderson at Context Art Miami)

Curator’s Office – Context Art Miami  www.curatorsoffice.com
Larry Cook <larrywcookjr@yahoo.com> (Curator's Office at Miami Context Art Miami)

VENUE Latin American Art Pavilion latinamericanartpavilion.com

Latin American Art Pavilion latinamericanartpavilion.com
Joan Belmar Joanbelmar@gmail.com (The Latin American Art Pavilion at Red Dot Art Fair) curated by Dennys Matos

VENUE PRIZM Art Fair
Contact: Prizm Art Fair www.prizmartfair.com in Miami and the founder director is Mikhaile Solomon
Wesley Clark wclark79@gmail.com
Amber Robles Gordon amberroblesgordon@gmail.com
Jamea Richmond Edwards ejamea@gmail.com
Irene Clouthier, www.ireneclouthier.com
Adrienne Gaither adriennegaither.com

VENUE Art Miami www.art-miami.com/
Connersmith Contemporary http://www.connersmith.us.com/
Erik Thor Sandberg  iconologicart@gmail.com

DC Area Galleries
Alida Anderson Art Projects info@alidaanderson.com
Connersmith Contemporary info@connersmith.us.com
Morton Fine Art - MFA Amy Morton mortonfineart@gmail.com
Curator's Office andrea@curatorsoffice.com
Mayer Fine Arts www.mayerfineartgallery.com

Miami Organizations that have shown DC artists via application (Note: Aqua Art Miami doesn’t show individual artists, but only galleries via a rigorous application process; however, in the past they have vetted individual performance artists)

From Holly Bass - Map from 2012 - Beginners Guide to Art Base Miami

Beginner's guide to Art Basel:


Friday, November 21, 2014

Another scam

This is a scam - they're just beginning to hit artists and galleries with their own domain names:

Subject:   alidaanderson domain and keyword in CN
From:   "David Zhang"
Date:   Tue, November 18, 2014 11:55 pm
To:   info@alidaanderson.com
Priority:   Normal




(Please forward this to your CEO, because this is urgent. Thanks)

We are a Network Service Company which is the domain name registration center in Shanghai, China. On Nov 17, 2014, we received an application from Huabao Holdings Ltd requested "alidaanderson" as their internet keyword and China (CN) domain names. But after checking it, we find this name conflict with your company name or trademark. In order to deal with this matter better, it's necessary to send email to you and confirm whether this company is your distributor or business partner in China?

Kind regards

David Zhang
General Manager
YIGUDNS (Headquarters)
B06, Yujing Building, No.1 Jihe Road,
Shanghai 201107, China
Tel: +86 21 6191 8696
Mobile: +86 138 1642 8671
Fax: +86 21 6191 8697

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Quantum of the Seas in NYC

"Channeling Jackson Pollock: Rock, Paper, Scissors” being transported by Quantum of the Seas! by Alan Sislen

Super talented DMV area photog Alan Sislen writes...
I was in NYC this weekend doing some photography.  Last night I was shooting lower Manhattan from New Jersey and heard this enormous ships horn.  Coming up the Hudson River was your "Channeling Jackson Pollock: Rock, Paper, Scissors” being transported by Quantum of the Seas!  In the background is the World Financial Center and the Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center).
Thank you Alan!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Amber Robles-Gordon at the Capitol Skyline tomorrow


OPENING RECEPTION TOMORROW --  THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 FROM 7-9PM


OPENING RECEPTION
November 20, 2014, 7-9pm
LOCATION
South Capitol Street Facade
Capitol Skyline Hotel
10 I (Eye) Street SW
Washington, DC 20024
WPA presents a new work by DC-based artist Amber Robles-Gordon as the second installation in its South Capitol Skyscape series. For the 50-foot banner on the South Capitol Street façade of the hotel, WPA has excerpted a portion of Robles-Gordon's new work entitled At the Altar: Dance of the Serpents. Created through the artist's signature assemblage process combining textiles and found objects, the work takes new form using a recycled hammock as its support and foundation, representing the structural constructs of the past and the restrictive patterns of repetitive thinking.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The next copyright act???

Chris Reed is a former senior policy advisor to the Register of Copyrights and author of Copyright Workflow for Photographers.

Check out his piece here.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Jane Haslem to close after 55 years

Jane Haslem Gallery, the DMV's longest running art gallery will host its last "formal exhibition" after 55 years of operation!

For those of you who don't know, 55 years is close to 873 years in people-years! Haslem's Artline was (and is) one of the planet's first gallery sites on the Internets; it made its debut in 1995, the year before we opened the Fraser Gallery in Georgetown!

When we opened, we already had a website ready to fly hosted on the old Geocities server... back then you could count the DMV galleries with a web presence in one hand and Haslem had set the standard.

 TOM EDWARDS
November, December 2014 & January 2015
Opening Reception:  December 6, Saturday, 3-7 pm

also exhibiting new watercolors and prints
by ANNE CHESNUT, NANCY McINTYRE, and ELIZABETH PEAK

Check out their last formal show here.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Channeling Jackson Pollock is at sea

Remember this commission for Royal Caribbean's spectacular new ship "Quantum of the Seas"

That amazing new cruise liner is now in its break down maiden cruise and my piece is now fully installed and at sea!

"Channeling Jackson Pollock: Rock, Paper, Scissors"

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Jenkins in the WaPo

The Washington Post's Mark Jenkins reviews the “Lines Drawn: America’s Artists Look Beyond the Politics of Red and Blue,” at Charles Krause/Reporting Fine Art and has a nice mention of my piece "Obama as Atlas."

Read the review here and then come to my talk tomorrow afternoon at 4:30PM as I discuss the piece.

CHARLES KRAUSE/REPORTING FINE ART 
1300 13th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-638-3612

Sunday, Nov. 16 @ 4:30PM
For all you grubs, refreshments will be served


I will also have a very cool piece of art that I will give to the person who asks me the best question during or after the talk!

"Obama as Atlas" by F. Lennox Campello (2008 -  2014)

Please come ready to discuss (and debate) the piece... beware that I am a Virgo and thus inclined to use facts (with references) in all my arguments.

Also, Art and Circuses, a very cool new DMV art blog by artist Michele Colburn has published a very eloquent review here. Please visit this new blog frequently!

See ya there!

Friday, November 14, 2014

Campello Art Talk This Sunday!

This Sunday I will have the honor to discuss my piece "Obama as Atlas" which is part of the very cool LINES DRAWN: America's Artists Look Beyond the Politics of Red and Blue exhibition at:

CHARLES KRAUSE/REPORTING FINE ART 
1300 13th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-638-3612

Sunday, Nov. 16 @ 4:30PM
For all you grubs, refreshments will be served


I will also have a very cool piece of art that I will give to the person who asks me the best question during or after the talk!

"Obama as Atlas" by F. Lennox Campello (2008 -  2014)

Please come ready to discuss (and debate) the piece... beware that I am a Virgo and thus inclined to use facts (with references) in all my arguments.

Also, Art and Circuses, a very cool new DMV art blog by artist Michele Colburn has published a very eloquent review here. Please visit this new blog frequently!

See ya there!

Bethesda Art Walk returns tonight!

The Bethesda Art Walk returns this Friday, November 14 from 
6-9pm, showcasing artwork created locally, nationally and internationally. 

Enjoy several galleries by walking throughout downtown Bethesda to learn more about the Bethesda arts scene and featured artists.

NOVEMBER PARTICIPANTS

Consider It Done
7806 Old Georgetown Road 

Gallery B
7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E 

Studio B

7475 Wisconsin Avenue 

"Tunnel Vision" Public Art Exhibition
Bethesda Metro Station Tunnel

Waverly Street Gallery
4600 East-West Highway 

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Art Scam Alert!

The art scammers are all over Al Gore's Internet(s) over the last few days... Beware of these mutants!
From:  Gloria Suellen (garyroberts965@gmail.com)
Good Day,
How is everything with you? I picked interest in your artwork and
deemed it necessary to write you immediately. I will like to know if
you have shipped internationally before and if you have a merchant
that enables you to accept Visa Card or Master Card for payment?.
Could you please respond with your recently updated website so we can
proceed from there
Best Regards
Mrs Suellen

From:  Lindsey Richard (lindsey@lindseyart.com)

Good day,
I want to place an order in your store/Gallery/Company and i will like to know 
if you ship to Singapore and my payment will be remitted via Credit Card Issued 
in United States.
 
Please let me know if you can assist me with the order,and please do not forget 
to include your website in your reply.Your quick response will be highly appreciated,
I will be very glad if you treat this email with good concern.
 
Best Regards,
Lindsey Supply Co.
Shun Li Industrial Complex,
603 Sims Drive, #03-10,
Singapore 387384
That last mutant also uses excelshopping.consulting1998@gmail.com as an email address...

Update: Also this email address:  kess.sloa@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Heading to the UK

Because I work my ass off, and because I am lucky to be represented by five very hard working galleries in the US and Europe, and because I am perhaps the most reasonably-priced (and needless to say uber talented) artist on the planet, I manage to sell a lot of work each year.

As a result, I don't usually note individual sales here, but every once in a while (such as in this case) a sale stands out. And the small drawing below is heading to the United Kingdom to the collection of one of the top ten art collectors on Earth!

"Hamas Wants Him Dead"  Charcoal and Conte on Paper. 7x5 inches  2014 by F. Lennox Campello.
"Hamas Wants Him Dead"
Charcoal and Conte on Paper. 7x5 inches
2014 by F. Lennox Campello.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Happy Veterans' Day!



U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class David Danals
To all American fellow veterans, both those who have served and those who are serving in all corners of the planet while we're home with our families. A well-deserved thank you to all the soldiers, sailors, airmen/women, Marines and Coasties.

This Veteran's Day is especially important in view of increased operations in various parts of the world where our men and women are in harm's way, and we should be even more thankful to those who wear and who have worn the uniform with honor.

Below is Petty Officer Third Class Lenny Campello back in 1975!

Petty Officer Third Class, US Navy Florencio Lennox Campello, circa 1975
And then Lieutenant Commander Lenny Campello back in 1992!

LCDR Lenny Campello, USN circa 1992

Monday, November 10, 2014

Willie on Lance

"I think it is just terrible and disgusting how everyone has treated Lance Armstrong, especially after what he achieved, winning seven Tour de France races while on drugs. When I was on drugs, I couldn't even find my bike.”


Willie Nelson

Opportunity for Photographers

FOTOBAZAAR!
 
Friday, November 14 to Sunday, November 16, 51 N Street NE, FREE

FotoBazaar returns as the city’s second massive, open-to-all photography bazaar. FotoBazaar offers space for 250 exhibitors on a first-come, first-serve basis and is installed in a 25,000 square-foot space in NOMA, provided by JBG Companies. FotoDC will also select favorite images for an online Festival Gallery, Best of FotoBazaar 2014.
 
 
FotoBazaar Opening Party, Friday, November 146:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
FotoBazaar, 51 N Street NE

Guests will hobnob with DC’s photographers, curators and DJ’s, enjoy photobooths, open bar and more! Tickets are available online.

Maryland Art Marketplace Open for Artists


The MSAC is encouraging Maryland artists of all disciplines to sign-up for the Maryland Artist Registry and inviting those with online selling sites for their art, crafts or artistic merchandise to opt-in to the Maryland Art Marketplace during the process.

Once launched, the Maryland Art Marketplace will be promoted by the Arts Council and its partners as a hub for Maryland-made art—including books, music and visual art—that is available for purchase online. Read more.

Sunday, November 09, 2014

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
Deadline: December 5, 2014
The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, scheduled for May 9 & 10, 2015, will be held in downtown Bethesda, a lively urban area renowned for restaurants, shopping, galleries and theaters. Artists from all over the country are invited to apply! 

Festival Application details
Non-refundable Application Fee: $30
Booth Fee: Standard, 10' x 10': $425
Booth Fee: Deluxe, 10' x 20':$850

Saturday, November 08, 2014

Opportunities for Artists

Call For Entry: UNDER $500
MAP’s Second Annual Affordable Art Sale
Deadline: Monday, November 24, 2014

 
MAP is seeking artists for UNDER $500. The exhibition will include 1-3 works by each artist with each individual piece retailing for $500 or less. UNDER $500 is a great opportunity to get your work noticed and purchased by area buyers & collectors just in time for the holidays!
Participating artists will receive one free ticket to the opening event on Friday, December 12. Selected artists will be issued an UNDER $500 Profile Form in an effort to simultaneously promote the artwork and artist during the event. There is a $10 dollar application fee for non-MAP Members to submit. Click here to learn more about becoming a MAP Member.

Proceeds from the sale of artwork will be split equally between artist and MAP. Proceeds directly benefit MAP, helping to maintain MAP’s annual programs and exhibitions.

Friday, November 07, 2014

Puzzling silence

A few days ago I shared with all of you here and in Facebook the fact that The Gazette newspapers intended to terminate Dr. Claudia Rousseau's visual arts review column today.  As I noted and I now have evidence, this is part of an apparent planned decimation of arts coverage in general by the Gazette newspapers (owned by the Washington Post).

I am somewhat surprised by a couple of things:
  • Seems like most of you don't care - and yeah, there has been some good noise in Facebook postings and a handful of you have emailed, called or otherwise contacted the newspaper in question. But nowhere near enough! There should be dozens and dozens of complaints... if you don't care, then don't ever bitch again about lack of arts coverage... every single one of you who's ever sent a news release about an art show to anyone should be sending a note to the editors of The Gazette.
  • I am less surprised by the fact that I've have not heard anything from Mr. Will Franklin.
We cannot just stand by and meekly allow this to happen. I once again demand that you contact Will Franklin at wfranklin@gazette.net and send him an email on the subject. Here's a copy of the email that I sent a few days ago to Mr. Franklin:
Dear Mr. Franklin,

This note is to express both my disappointment and even outrage at the news that The Gazette intends to terminate Dr. Claudia Rousseau's visual arts coverage in The Gazette as part of an apparent decimation of its arts coverage in general.

While I suspect that the reasons behind these planned coverage cuts are all economic and due to reduction in overall coverage and reduction in size, I shouldn't have to remind anyone in the newspaper business that a newspaper's mission has several critical components that make it a newspaper and not just stuff printed on newsprint.

And coverage of the visual arts is a key one.

Unless you also plan to eliminate restaurant reviews, movie reviews, local events, etc. and reduce The Gazette to coverage of local High School sports, the idea that a "neighborhood" newspaper can be a contributor to its readership and part of the cultural tapestry of that neighborhood without critical components such as Dr. Rousseau's columns on the visual arts is a barbaric lack of understanding of what your readers deserve.

I also suspect, since The Gazette is owned by The Washington Post, that perhaps some of this "guidance" has come from above, most probably from bean counters as far removed from newsprint as possible. This is predictable, as the Washington Post is the only major newspaper in America (and possibly the world) without a visual arts critic in its permanent staff, and for the last two decades, since its last full-time gallery critic retired, has used a dizzying set of rotating freelancers to cover the Greater DC area visual art scene in an ad hoc manner.

Claudia Rousseau has been covering The Gazette's areas visual arts for over 11 years - that span is equaled by just one other published visual arts critic in the region. Ms. Rousseau's knowledge, access and insight into the area's visual arts cannot be lost by a simple reason of economics.

I plan to help rally the DC area's artists, gallerists, curators, collectors, donors and supporters to make sure that The Gazette (and the Washington Post) hear about Dr. Rousseau's termination. And for the first time in the many years that we've known each other, I plan to mix business with friendship and bring this to the personal attention of Jeff Bezos, whom as you probably know, is an ardent supporter of the arts.

I also intend to publish this note in DC Art News, and in the event that I receive an answer from you, or anyone else in The Gazette, will offer the opportunity to also publish your response.

Let me close this note by asking you to bring this issue to the attention of whomever is making this ill-advised decision; it will not happen without a lot of resistance from the DMV's visual art scene.

Warm regards,

F. Lennox Campello

Thursday, November 06, 2014

Walsh & Loyd at Blackrock

Husband and wife, Ron Loyd and Jodi Walsh, team up for an exhibition of their ceramic artworks exploring organic textural surfaces. His sculptural forms incorporate Korean Kohiki techniques, where iron-rich clay is coated with white slip then altered and manipulated to create unique rhythmic patterns. Hers capture colors and textures experienced while living in Asia, Africa and Europe in wall-hung panels layered and draped with masses of three-dimensional ceramic forms, often dangling in graceful clusters.
BlackRock Center for the Arts is pleased to present “His & Hers”: Ron Loyd & Jodi Walsh. The exhibition will be on view in the Main Gallery from Wednesday, November 12 through Friday, December 19, 2014. On Saturday, November 15, the center will host a Meet the Artist Reception from 5:30pm to 7:30pm with an informal Artist Talk by the two local artists. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public and it is always free to view gallery exhibitions at BlackRock.

Ron Loyd
www.ronloydart.com
Ron Loyd earned a BFA and MFA in Painting and Ceramics from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX. He studied Animation at the School for Visual Arts, New York, NY and Film Studies at New York University, New York, NY, and Ceramics with world-renown artist Bill Van Glider. Loyd was selected as a 2004 Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Fellow and a Washington Post Fellow. Loyd has been teaching art at Rockville High School since 2001, where he is currently Head of the Fine Arts Department and is teaching AP Studio Art, IB Visual Art, Ceramics, Paintings, Studio Art and Digital Arts.


Jodi Walsh
www.jodiart.com
Jodi Walsh left her native country of Canada in 1967 for the Far East and Europe, a move that would influence her life and work forever. She moved to the United States in 1978 and while art has always been a part of her life she first began to emerge as a serious artist in 1995. Although Walsh has received private training, she has never studied painting or ceramics at an academic institution. This has allowed her the independence and freedom to develop her unique style. Walsh has participated in international residencies, to include Raymond International, London, England. Her work has been exhibited regionally and nationally at venues which include Affordable Art Fair New York City and Artexpo New York, New York, NY; Longview Gallery, Washington, DC; Zenith Gallery, Washington, DC; Smithsonian Craft Show and Washington Craft Show, Washington, DC; Gallery 555 and Artists’ Museum. Washington, DC; Gallery 43, Atlanta, GA; and The Dessert Gallery, Houston, Texas.

EXHIBITION TITLE: “His & Hers”: Ron Loyd & Jodi Walsh
EXHIBITION ON VIEW:  Wednesday, November 12 – Friday, December 19, 2014
MEET THE ARTIST RECEPTION: Saturday, November 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm
LOCATION: Main Gallery (first floor)
BlackRock Center for the Arts
12901 Town Commons Drive
Germantown, MD 20874
PRICE: FREE
GALLERY HOURS: Monday–Friday 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.*, Saturday 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.* (when classes are in session), Closed Sunday*. Please call 301-528-2260 to confirm open hours for specific dates. 
*Galleries are also open during evening and weekend hours when performances and classes are offered at the center.
INFORMATION: 301-528-2260 or www.blackrockcenter.org

ABOUT BLACKROCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS: BlackRock Center for the Arts is a cultural cornerstone and the leading venue for the performing and visual arts in Upper Montgomery County Maryland. Since 2002, the nonprofit arts center has been providing the community with diverse performing arts programs, free gallery exhibitions and arts education experiences in a welcoming and intimate setting close to home. The dynamic facility houses two art galleries, two theaters presenting more than 40 performances per year, and numerous classrooms and studios where year-round classes in the arts are offered for all ages.

PARKING IS FREE & RIDE ON OFFERS 15-MINUTE EXPRESS BUS SERVICE FROM SHADY GROVE METRO (RED LINE): BlackRock Center for the Arts is centrally located in the heart of Germantown, next to the Germantown Branch Montgomery County Public Library, at 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD 20874. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to our building. Ride Metrorail to Shady Grove Station (Red Line) and transfer to Ride On Bus Route 100 (15-minute Express Bus Service from Metro Shady Grove Station to the Germantown Transit Center [GTC] on Aircraft Drive). From GTC, walk four blocks following Century Boulevard to our front door, or transfer to Ride On Bus Route 97 which stops in front of BlackRock. Check schedules by calling 240-777-7433 or visiting:  www.rideonbus.com and www.metroopensdoors.com

SELECT 2015: WPA Art Auction Exhibition and Gala

SELECT 2015: WPA Art Auction Exhibition and Gala   

GALA: March 7, 2015, 7-11pm   
EXHIBITION: January 29 through March 6, 2015 
OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, January 29, 7-9pm 
CURATOR TALKSThursday, February 12 and Thursday, February 19, 6:30-8pm
   
at Artisphere1101 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 
Free parking with validation on evenings (after 5pm) and all day on weekends 

Metro: Rosslyn 
Circulator: Georgetown - Dupont  

Exhibition, opening reception, and curator talks are free and open to the public.

For Auction ticket information, please CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE or contact
Nathalie von Veh at 202.234.7103 x5 or nvonveh@wpadc.org

  
WPA's Annual Art Auction Gala is the highlight of DC's contemporary art world season! DC's longest running and most-established contemporary art auction, SELECT is an annually anticipated event that supports WPA and the artist community.  

SELECT 2015 features works available for purchase chosen by 8 of the region's top and emerging curators as well as selections by WPA's Board of Directors. Featuring works by established and emerging artists from DC, Baltimore, Richmond, and beyond, WPA's selection of exquisite, engaging, and exciting art works offer something for collectors both seasoned and aspiring.  
    
Auction Co-Chairs: Jessica Naresh, Judy & Andrew Sherman, and Robert Shields
Auction Host Committee: Martha Blalock, Heather Davis, Ayanna Dunn, Eric Hilton, Dr. Giselle Huberman, Jessica Naresh, Jill Pearlman, Amanda Phillips, Judy Sherman, Robert Shields, Henri Siblesz, Jessica Stafford-Davis, Vikki Tobak, and Blair Wunderlich

Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Emergency! Emergency!

I have just learned that The Gazette newspapers intend to terminate Dr. Claudia Rousseau's visual arts review column this coming Friday.  This is part of an apparent planned decimation of arts coverage in general by the Gazette newspapers (owned by the Washington Post).

We cannot just stand by and meekly allow this to happen. It is time for supporters of the visual arts to react by calling The Gazette, emailing them, writing them an old-fashioned letter, etc.

I suggest that you contact Will Franklin at wfranklin@gazette.net and send him an email on the subject. Here's a copy of the email that I sent this morning to Mr. Franklin:
Dear Mr. Franklin,

This note is to express both my disappointment and even outrage at the news that The Gazette intends to terminate Dr. Claudia Rousseau's visual arts coverage in The Gazette as part of an apparent decimation of its arts coverage in general.

While I suspect that the reasons behind these planned coverage cuts are all economic and due to reduction in overall coverage and reduction in size, I shouldn't have to remind anyone in the newspaper business that a newspaper's mission has several critical components that make it a newspaper and not just stuff printed on newsprint.

And coverage of the visual arts is a key one.

Unless you also plan to eliminate restaurant reviews, movie reviews, local events, etc. and reduce The Gazette to coverage of local High School sports, the idea that a "neighborhood" newspaper can be a contributor to its readership and part of the cultural tapestry of that neighborhood without critical components such as Dr. Rousseau's columns on the visual arts is a barbaric lack of understanding of what your readers deserve.

I also suspect, since The Gazette is owned by The Washington Post, that perhaps some of this "guidance" has come from above, most probably from bean counters as far removed from newsprint as possible. This is predictable, as the Washington Post is the only major newspaper in America (and possibly the world) without a visual arts critic in its permanent staff, and for the last two decades, since its last full-time gallery critic retired, has used a dizzying set of rotating freelancers to cover the Greater DC area visual art scene in an ad hoc manner.

Claudia Rousseau has been covering The Gazette's areas visual arts for over 11 years - that span is equaled by just one other published visual arts critic in the region. Ms. Rousseau's knowledge, access and insight into the area's visual arts cannot be lost by a simple reason of economics.

I plan to help rally the DC area's artists, gallerists, curators, collectors, donors and supporters to make sure that The Gazette (and the Washington Post) hear about Dr. Rousseau's termination. And for the first time in the many years that we've known each other, I plan to mix business with friendship and bring this to the personal attention of Jeff Bezos, whom as you probably know, is an ardent supporter of the arts.

I also intend to publish this note in DC Art News, and in the event that I receive an answer from you, or anyone else in The Gazette, will offer the opportunity to also publish your response.

Let me close this note by asking you to bring this issue to the attention of whomever is making this ill-advised decision; it will not happen without a lot of resistance from the DMV's visual art scene.

Warm regards,

F. Lennox Campello

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Dirty tricks

When I went to vote this morning, I noticed that John Delaney's (who is my current Representative) signs were all strategically placed to block his opponent's signs (Dan Bongino) ... 

That dirty trick helped to inform my voting decisions.

Monday, November 03, 2014

eBay deal....

Wanna buy an original 1990s Campello watercolor on eBay?

Starting bid is less than $10 bucks! Heck of a deal! 

Weird how artwork seems to show up on EBay once in a while....   Check it out here

Open studios this Saturday!

The Art Studios at 633 F St. Terrace (John Giesecke, Ben Tolman, Adam Robert Hager, Rick Bach) invite you to join them for art, food, drinks & general studio mayhem
 
Saturday, November 8 at 4:00pm - 7:00pm

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8820832,-76.9973178,3a,75y,56.45h,75.62t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sG_ARMM4F7seBbNJMDp4GyQ!2e0

Photo Slam is back!

Mary Jane by Michele EganEVENT #1
Photo Slam: The Exhibit

Come see the award-winning images from last year's hip, fast-paced PHOTO SLAM 2013.  Featured photographers are Michele Egan (1st Place), Serli Lala (2nd Place), Julie Miller (3rd Place) and Pablo de Loy (Audience Choice Award Winner). 

Exhibition Dates:  October 10 - November 17, 2014
Reception and Gallery Talk:  Sunday, November 9, 2014, 6-8 PM

Gallery Hours
Saturday, 1-4 PM and Sunday, 1-8 PM (and any time a photography class is underway)

Gallery Information:
Photoworks Gallery and Photography School
7300 MacArthur Blvd
Glen Echo, MD

Cost:
Exhibition Reception and Gallery Talk are free to the public

Questions?  For more info, visit Photoworks at http://glenechophotoworks.org/2014/10/08/photo-slam-exhibition/

Photo Credits:
That's "Mary Jane" on the left above by last year's 1st Place Winner, Michele Egan.

EVENT #2
Photo Slam: The Event

In partnership with FotoWeek DC, Photoworks is bringing back the Slam - and Photo Slam 2014 promises to be better than ever.  For the fifth year in a row, DC's urban arts hub Busboys and Poets will play host as photographers vie for prizes, recognition and “street cred” in this fast-paced competition of projected images.  Free to the public – but arrive early to assure yourself a spot.  This event typically sells out.  For more information, check out http://glenechophotoworks.org/2014/10/08/slam/
 
Date:  Sunday, November 16, 2014
Time:  8:00 - 10:00 PM (Arrive early!  Event typically sells out.)
Place:  Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC  (2 blocks from Metro's U Street/Cardozo Station)
Cost:  Event is free, but the suggested donation is $20

Are You Interested in Entering the November 16th Photo Slam Competition?
Trust us... its easy and fun!  Visit http://glenechophotoworks.org/2014/10/08/slam/ for the rules.  Deadline is 11:59 PM on November 13th.  Questions?  Contact Photoworks' John Borstel at borgrav@his.com

Photo Credits:  Photo Slam 2014 - Image by David Myers


EVENT #3
Photo Slam: The Hangover Brunch

Come to Photoworks and bask in the afterglow of another successful Photo Slam!  Participants from the Photo Slam 2014 are invited to Photoworks Photography School & Gallery on November 23rd from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon to help us "crowd source" a one day exhibition -- flash mob style!  Don't miss the action (or the drinks).  Bring your flash drive with 5-7 images to Photoworks Gallery at historic Glen Echo Park.  We'll project your images and offer up free critiques.  Meet fellow photographers, Photo Slammers, and Photoworks faculty and show us what you've got!  Check out our website at www.glenechophotoworks.org for more details.

Date:  Sunday, November 23, 2014
Time:  10 am - 12 noon
Place:  Photoworks Photography School & Gallery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo Park, MD
Cost:  FREE
Questions?  For more info, visit http://glenechophotoworks.org/2014/10/08/photo-slam-hangover-brunch/ or contact Photoworks' John Borstel at borgrav@his.com

Sunday, November 02, 2014

SFS Fundraiser Auction

I know that we artists are always been asked to either donate our time (panels, jury duty, etc.) and also donate artwork for auctions. It is often hard to say no, especially when the cause is really good. I know that I generally donate 8-10 pieces of artwork a year for charity and one of my pet peeves is that the IRS only allows artists to deduct the costs of materials. However, if a collector or anyone other than the artist donates the work, then they can deduct the full cost of the art. This sucks, but then again the entire IRS construct sucks (as it is today).

Sidwell Friends is easily one of the best schools on the planet, and one part of their focus which I really admire is how hard they work to make the school available to families who can't afford the school's hefty costs. And this is why I'm supporting their yearly auction fundraiser for scholarships.

Donate here.