Saturday, June 11, 2016

New Pop Up Art Space

The DMV has a new rental pop up art space available... details below from the news release:
Bridging the gap between artists and collectors  
As an artist, I have found myself struggling to find the right place to showcase my artwork.  I know firsthand how truly frustrating it can be to not have any gallery representation and only have the opportunity to show in restaurants, coffee shops, and other venues that are not designed for the ambiance that pieces of art need to be fully appreciated. 
For that reason, I created White Cloud Pop-Up Art Space. In this space, walls, ceiling and floors are united in harmony by the purest white color. Combined with a generous amount of natural light, there is a clean, simple background to truly let your work stand out.
White Cloud is conveniently located in the heart of the U Street corridor, only 2 blocks from the U Street metro and within walking distance to some of DC’s most popular restaurants and coffee shops. All day and night, potential clients are just footsteps from the gallery.
In addition, White Cloud provides this amenities: 
•        Over 400 sq ft of art space
•        Heavy railing hanging picture system to easily hang and remove art
•        Track lighting to spotlight your pieces
•         Modern desk that can also be used as a service area
•         Nicely renovated bathroom
•         Fully functional HVAC unit
•         Large refrigerator and microwave 
Below is information on our Pricing and Frequently Asked Questions about the gallery. We look forward to working with you! 
Pricing:
Weekdays: (Monday through Thursday) $300 for two hour public show.  
This price also includes two hours for set-up and one hour after closing to clean and    remove pieces. Set-up can begin at 10 AM on the day of the show. All exhibitions must  end by 11 PM. 
Weekends: (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) $500 for two hour public show. This price   also includes two hours for set-up and one hour after closing to clean and remove  pieces.   Set-up can begin at 10 AM on any day of the show. All exhibitions must end by
11:00 PM 
Two-day weekend show: (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) $800.  Set-up can begin at 10 AM  on the first and second days of the show. Set-up can begin at 10 AM on any day of the   show. All exhibitions must end by 11 PM.  
Full weekend show: (Friday through Sunday) $1000.  Set-up can begin at 10 AM on    any day of the show. All exhibitions must end by 11 PM. 
FAQS 
WHERE IS THE GALLERY LOCATED?
Our address is at  1843 14th street NW 2nd floor, Washington DC, at the corner of 14th
and T St NW. 
WHAT ARE THE GALLERY HOURS?
White Cloud opens at 11 AM. Until 7pm, but better to make an appointment first. 
CAN I TOUR THE STUDIO BEFORE RENTING IT?
Of course!  White Cloud Gallery can occasionally accommodate walk-in tours, but it’s  always best to schedule an appointment. Give Miguel a call . 
WHAT IF I NEED MORE TIME TO SET UP OR REMOVE MY ART?
No problem. I’m happy to work with you. This is negotiable. 
IS THERE A SERVICE ELEVATOR?
White Cloud Gallery is on the second floor of the building and we do not have a service  elevator - please come prepared to carry any equipment/props up a flight of stairs.
WHERE CAN I PARK?
A new public parking lot just opened across the street from White Cloud Gallery at 14th
St NW and Swann St. NW). There is street parking on 14th Street and the surrounding  neighborhood blocks.  
INSURANCE
Artists are responsible for insurance that covers damage to their artwork.  We do  require a $300 deposit in cash for all exhibitions to cover any incidentals and clean/up.
This deposit will be returned at the end of the exhibition 
DO YOU CHARGE A COMMISSION?  Nope!            
HOW DO I RESERVE THE GALLERY?
Gallery reservations are on a first come first serve basis. A non-refundable deposit of  50% of the total cost is required to hold the space. The remaining 50% of the balance is  due seven days before the exhibition.
1843 14th street NW, Washington D.C. 20009
(202) 288 1391 whitecloudgallery@gmail.com
Artist Director Miguel Perez Lem 

Friday, June 10, 2016

Opportunity for artists

Deadline: July 11, 2016


National and international artists are invited to submit qualifications for the Oregon Art in Public Places Roster. The Oregon Arts Commission and the Regional Arts & Culture Council manage the percent for art programs for the State of Oregon, Multnomah County, and City of Portland. The Roster is a resource for public art selection panels to identify artists most suitable for their community and specific project needs.


Enter here.

Thursday, June 09, 2016

Airborne

Flying on Facebook - a cartoon by F. Lennox Campello c.2009
Airborne today and heading to the Miami tonight for a luncheon in honor of my amazing mother.

The Usefulness of Art in the Community

 
The WPA is pleased to invite you to a useful talk by Kemi Ilesanmi, Executive Director of The Laundromat Project.

Thursday, June 16, 2016, 6:30pm
The Laundromat Project has been producing art in and with communities for more than a decade. Their mission is to unleash the creative potential already in neighborhoods. Kemi Ilesanmi will discuss the LP's work from a use-value perspective and within the context of the larger, ongoing evolution of community arts organizations nation-wide. 

Wednesday, June 08, 2016

How do I start collecting art?

I am often asked, usually by friends outside the art cabal, and by people who become interested in collecting art, but have never collected artwork, what they should “collect.” 

"What should I buy Lenster?" "How do I start?"

Many years ago, I formed an opinion based on empirical observations, that there are really only two basic rules to start an art collection:
  1. Collect what you like, and
  2. Whenever possible, buy the original. 
That’s clear, right?

Buy and collect only what you like, what attracts your eyes, and what interests you personally, and is within your economic means. If you like the work of a particular artist, or a specific kind of prints (like Japanese woodcuts), or drawings (such as figurative drawings), then focus your collection in those areas.  This also comes with a caveat, as a lot of excessive attention is often placed on a "focused" collection. A diverse collection may make less sense to some than a focused one, but it only has to make sense to you! After all, it is your collection.

It has also been my experience, that the more affluent a “beginning collector” is, the higher the probability that he/she will get swindled into spending a lot of money for wall décor and fancy frames. Since most of us are not affluent, the high end of the commodified art market is not where I’m focusing this post.

For those affluent folks: if the "gallery" has large realistic paintings of cigars resting on wine glasses, or the artwork comes with an "option" for a rococo frame, run for your lives!

The DMV offers an immense variety, and multiple, loads of, tons, mucho, a lot, beaucoup, diverse sources to begin an art collection.

The key to most of that statement is the number of art schools, art leagues, art centers, and reputable commercial art galleries that exist in our area. Add to that the number of independent artists’ studios, and you have the perfect mix for starting an art collection.

Let start with the schools; nearly all art schools and universities put together student shows. Usually these are Master of Fine Arts (MFA) shows – the graduation show for MFA program students.  American, Catholic, George Mason, George Washington, Maryland, Montgomery Community College, Northern Virginia, and others are but a sampling of some excellent places to troll for student artwork.

Buying student artwork generally equals buying an artist early on his/her career.

Buying an artist early in his/her career is the “golden nugget” of most art collectors’ hopes.  That puppy crossed my road a few times in my life.

In 1989 I stood in front of an original oil painting by Scottish painter Jack Vettriano at the Royal Scottish Academy in Glasgow... I loved it! 


I think that it was Vettriano’s first ever show (it was a group show; actually a painting competition or was it the Royal Scottish Academy annual show?), and there were two of his early paintings (all done as I recall, at his first - and only - art class).

It was on sale for 300 British pounds, which at the time for me might as well have been 300 million pounds, since my US Navy Lieutenant’s salary barely covered expenses in Scotland, which is where I was stationed at the time.  That painting sold for 300 pounds. .. 300 pounds at the time was around $500 dollars.

Today, although he is despised by the art critics and the British arts establishment, he is adored by the public and by some very important collectors, and his works, if you are lucky enough to get on the waiting list for one, ranges in the hundreds of thousands of pounds.

And that early one that I passed on? Sold at Sotheby’s a few years ago for a lot more... a LOT more pounds. Beginning art collectors can find their own early Vettrianos at art competitions, MFA shows, outdoor art festivals, open studios, etc.

I will discuss open studios in our region later on.

Tuesday, June 07, 2016

Who owns the copyright to your tattoo?

Did you design your own tattoo?

Then read this.

Monday, June 06, 2016

What can I say?

Anderson The Campello
2016 Photo by Zarya Navarro