American University’s Studio Art MFA program

American Universtiy Museum at the Katzen Arts Center

On view:
May 5-May 27, 2018 

Saturday, May 5 5-7:30PM
Thesis Candidate Reception 
A gallery talk will be held from 5-6PM, and the Opening Reception from 6-7:30PM. Free and open to all.

This exhibition represents the culmination of two years’ work by the eight graduating members of American University’s Studio Art MFA program. At the close of four semesters of experimentation, discovery, dedication, and reinvention, these artists claim their space and their purpose in an exhibition that is both an ending and a beginning. Featuring artists: Holly Trout, Tim Magenta, Tiffany Raquel, Fallon Chase, Ban Alwehaibi, Michelle Gagliano, Michelle Tangires, and Paige Stewart.

How to Hang Your Artworks

Not from me... 

Read the tips here.

Modern Gothic: The Photographic Art of Jamie Mahon

If you are a fan of the erotic dark side of spectacularly beautiful women who in many cases transform themselves into unbelievably sensual (and dangerous)... and somewhat predatory examples of what happens when natural beauty descends (or climbs) into the realms of darkness...

Then this is the book for you! 

Had H P Lovecraft seen these photos, he would have understood the nuances behind some of these awe-inspiring models, all captured in brilliant dark glory by a very talented photographer.  These are not the historical Goths who destroyed the Roman Empire in the 400s and raided their way through Western Europe and settled in Spain, France and northern Italy to make up those modern nations.

These are today's Goths.

Mahon is a master of the set-up, of the light (ironic no??) and of the posture... I can almost hear him whispering to the clear-eye beauties in this book, trying to draw even more danger and darkness from the dark moistness that is their bodies and the harsh light that beams from their eyes. 

Mahon must be familiar with Robert Ervin Howard's "The Song of a Mad Minstrel", which can be (almost) heard being whispered behind some of these unique women:

There was never a king or priest to cheer me by word or look,
There was never a man or beast in the blood-black ways I took.
There were crimson gulfs unplumbed, there were black wings over a sea,
There were pits where mad things drummed, and foaming blasphemy.

There were vast ungodly tombs where slimy monsters dreamed;
There were clouds like blood-drenched plumes where unborn demons screamed.
There were ages dead to Time, and lands lost out of Space; 
There were adders in the slime, and a dim unholy Face.

Oh, the heart in my breast turned stone, and the brain froze in my skull--
But I won through, I alone, and poured my chalice full
Of horrors and dooms and spells, black buds and bitter roots--
From the hells beneath the hells, I bring you my deathly fruits.

DC Art Bank: Call for DMV Artists!

Great news: Just heard from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, and this year’s Art Bank call to artists is open to metropolitan area artists and District galleries representing metropolitan area artists - not just DC artists! 

Details here.

Bethesda Painting Awards finalists selected!

$10,000 to be Awarded to Best in Show

Eight painters have been selected as finalists for the Bethesda Painting Awards, a juried competition and exhibition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District. Nearly 300 artists from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. submitted work to the 14^th annual competition created to exclusively honor regional painters. The work of the eight finalists will be on display at Gallery B from June 6-30, 2018.

The top prize winners will be announced and honored on Wednesday, June 6 at 7pm at a private reception held at Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E. The Best in Show winner will be awarded $10,000, second place will be honored with $2,000 and third place will be awarded $1,000.

The artists selected as finalists are:

Kim Abraham, Alexandria, VA

Sarah Boyts Yoder, Charlottesville, VA

Carolyn Case, Cockeysville, MD

Leigh Anne Chambers, Courtland, VA

Emma Childs, Baltimore, MD

Caleb Kortokrax, Baltimore, MD

Khanh Le, Washington, D.C.

Stephen Towns, Baltimore, MD

A public opening will be held on Friday, June 8, from 6-8pm. Gallery B is located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E in downtown Bethesda. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 12-6pm.

The competition jurors are Sally Bowring, Professor of Painting and Director of Administration for the Painting & Printmaking Department, Virginia Commonwealth University; Laura Roulet, independent curator and writer and Bill Schmidt, artist and winner of the 2016 Baker Artist Awards and the 2015 Bethesda Painting Awards.

The Bethesda Painting Awards was established by my good friend and local business owner Carol Trawick in 2005. Ms. Trawick has served as a community activist for more than 25 years in downtown Bethesda and established The Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation in 2007. She is the former Chair of the Maryland State Arts Council, Strathmore, Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc. and founder of The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards.

For more information, please visit www.bethesda.org or call 301-215-6660.

 

Previous Best in Show winners include:

2017 Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann, Washington, D.C.

2016 Tanja Softic, Richmond, VA

2015 Bill Schmidt, Baltimore, MD

2014 Kyle Hackett, Baltimore, MD

2013 Barry Nemett, Stevenson, MD

2012 Ali Miller, Baltimore, MD

2011 Alison Hall, Roanoke, VA

2010 Nora Sturges, Baltimore, MD

2009 Camilo Sanin, Jessup, MD

2008 B.G. Muhn, North Potomac, MD

2007 Matthew Klos, Baltimore, MD

2006 Tony Shore, Baltimore, MD

2005 Joe Kabriel, Annapolis, MD

Call for Artists

Deadline: May 21, 2018

 

Budget: Project budget, including materials, fabrication, installation, travel and expenses, is $75,000. 

 

Selected artists will be paid a stipend of $1,000 to develop their proposals and accompanying support materials, including story boards, maquettes, etc. Eligibility: Professional artists and design professionals are invited to apply as an individual or a team. Preference will be given to artists who have public art experience and are residents of, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland or Montgomery County, Maryland. Selection Process and Criteria: Three artists/artist teams will be selected to develop proposals for the project. They will meet for preliminary briefing with the Art Advisory Panel, as well as potentially with members of the Peppermill Community, after which they will each be paid a stipend of $1,000 to develop their proposals. After the proposals are developed, the selected artists/teams will be required to present their design proposal and maquette for review by the Art Advisory Panel and others. After the review process is completed, the final selection of the artists/teams for issuance of a contract for production of the artwork will be made.

 

For additional information, visit here.

 

Qualifications must be submitted to: https://m-ncppc.submittable.com by 12 Midnight on May 21, 2018. For issues accessing PDF or questions: Please Contact: ALEC SIMPSON, alec.simpson@pgparks.com; Countywide Visual and Public Art Coordinator, 301-446-3237, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Art Scam Alert!

Beware of this rip off artist... if you want to know how the scam works... use the search box to the left and search for "art scam."

From: thomasfred500500@engineer.com

Top of the Morning to you, I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes some of your art piece, I must also say you are doing a great job. I would like to know what inspired that work. I am very much interested in the purchase to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate art work for sales.(Thomasfred500500@gmail.com) Regards Thomas

Also this one:

 From: online-oceanengineer@tfred.com

 Good Day Im Thomas Fred From NC. I observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes your piece of art work, I'm also impressed to have seen your different piece of works too, : ) You are doing an amazing job.I would like to receive more information about your piece of artwork and what inspires you. I am very much interested in buying a piece of art ,to surprise my wife. Kindly reply for the immediate art work for purchase ?? (Thomasfred5050@gmail.com) Best Regards Thomas

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Request for Applications

Request for Applications

FY 2019 Project Support and Fellowship Grants

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) invites the submission of applications from qualified individuals and organizations for the following FY19 grants programs (all times EST):

Grants for Organizations Only

Arts and Humanities Education Projects

Application Deadline: June 8, 2018 at 4 pm 

East of the River Projects

Application Deadline: June 8, 2018 at 4 pm 

Upstart

Application Deadline: June 15, 2018 at 4 pm 

Field Trip Experiences 

Application Deadline: June 22, 2018 at 4 pm 

Facilities and Buildings

Application Deadline: July 27, 2018 at 4 pm

Grants for Individuals Only

Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program

Application Deadline: June 1, 2018 at 4 pm

Curatorial Grant

Application Deadline: July 27, 2018 at 4 pm

Grants for Individuals and Organizations

Projects, Events, or Festivals (Cycle 1)

Application Deadline: June 8, 2018 at 4 pm

Sister Cities Grant

Application Deadline: June 15, 2018 at 4 pm

Art Bank Program

Application Deadline: July 20, 2018 at 4 pm

Grant application guidelines are available online.

FY19 Grants Introduction Sessions 

CAH is coming to your ward! Join us at a free information session to learn about these FY19 funding opportunities for individuals and organizations. The FY19 Grants Introduction will be presented in all 8 wards of the District this week. View the complete schedule.

Spanglish Ops

"Estoy limpiando", said my friend the other day as we chatted after a chance meeting at the Supermarket.  

Felix is a transplanted New Yorkrican, which is a key clue to this story.

In Spanish, "estoy limpiando" means "I am cleaning." 

"Que hay sucio?" I asked him a little puzzled ("What's dirty?").

Now he was the one looking puzzled... then it dawned on him.

He looked a little sheepish as he switched to English and told me that his foot hurt.

I was puzzled again; our conversation had skidded off the road somehow... then it dawned on me and I smiled.

Felix had taken the English verb "to limp" and added a Spanish ending to Spanglasize the verb to "limpiando" - a Spanish vern whose meaning is "to clean."

I smiled as I explained to him the whole thing... he laughed as well and then asked me what the Spanish word for "limping" is.

I searched my brain for a while looking for it... it didn't float easily at first.

"You can say 'estoy cojo'... or 'estoy medio cojo', I suggested... 75% sure.

He nodded as he grabbed a jar of Pace Picante salsa from a giant offering of a million real Mexican salsa jars.

How to Be a Better, Happier and More Confident Artist

Artwork Archive recently had the opportunity to travel to the Plein Air Convention and The Art of the Portrait Convention to talk with hundreds of artists about their work and path as professional artists. 

There were many talks about what paint brand or brush model to use, but there was also a great deal of personal advice.

Read the whole article here.

Beauty at the art fair

"Beauty at the art fair", c.2017 by F. Lennox Campello, C-Print 30x40 inches, edition of 5.

Check these out and think in feet

What do you see? See them as in feet scale... the last image tells you what they are...

The amazing work of the Kinderkids at SFS Lower School, where they are lucky to have a rockstar teacher (Ms. Sabreena Jeru-Ahmed).

SFS Lower School show

All that I've got to say is that kids at SFS Lower School have a spectacular art rockstar for a teacher (Ms. Sabreena Jeru-Ahmed)!

Here are some pics that I took of the show...

$50,000 in Artist Awards

$50,000* Artist Awards

Share your story for a chance to win $500*

 With the help of the Jerry Goldstein Foundation, Jerry's Artarama, and its sponsors, they are giving away a minimum of $50,000* to artists with great personal stories, incredible talent and/or unique creativity and achievements to share! Jerry always liked a good personal story and they hope that you share yours with them. No matter if you have achieved immense success, are still struggling, or are a student wanting to go to art school your story is important!

ENTER HERE 

Edgewood Open Studios this Saturday April 28th from 6-9pm

Adam Hagler's customized dream studio started as an 1100 sq ft open layout in the Edgewood Studios building. Now it is three individual studios and one shared gallery space. They built it all from scratch, and can’t wait to have you over to visit! Join Adam, Zac Willis and Emily Hoxworth in Studio 1, and the other artists of Edgewood Studios this Saturday:
 

Saturday, April 28 | 6-9 PM 703 Edgewood St NE, Washington DC 20017

Open Studios for Artists:
 
Anthony Dihle - https://www.victorydancecreative.com/
Adam Hager - http://adamroberthager.com/
Beth Hansen - http://www.bethhansenart.com/
Chris Haughery - http://www.chrishaughery.com/
Emily Hoxworth - http://emilyhoxworthart.com/
Ian Jehle - http://www.ianjehle.com/
Sean Sweeney - http://www.seansweeneystudio.com/
Zac Willis - https://zacwillis.com/

Hope to see you there!

Planning to come? RSVP on Facebook and share the event with friends! The more the merrier. 

Art scam alert!

Do not fall for this asswipe's attempt to rip off artists:

From:  thomas  (thomasfred500500@engineerupdate.com)

Good Day
Im Thomas Fred From NC. I  observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes your piece of art work, I'm also impressed to have seen your different piece of works too, : ) You are doing an amazing job.I would like to receive more information about your piece of artwork and what inspires you. I am very much interested in  buying a piece of art ,to  surprise my wife. Kindly reply for the  immediate art work for purchase ??
(Thomasfred5050@gmail.com)

Best Regards

Thomas

Call for Artists' Designs

WHO: Hyattsville CDC
WHAT: Call for Artists' Designs to print on vinyl when wrapping traffic signal cabinets this August
WHERE: The City of Hyattsville, MD
WHEN: Deadline for submissions is 5/25/18 at 4:00 PM
HOW: This call is open to all artists, graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers who currently live or work within the State of Maryland. More information online at http://hycdc.org/traffic-box ?utm_source=dailycampelloartnews

Call for Artists:  Traffic Box Art Wrap Project Hyattsville, Maryland Submittal Deadline:  Friday, May 25th, 2018 – 4PM $500 honorarium Overview The Hyattsville Community Development Corporation announces a Call for Artists’ designs to transform select traffic signal cabinets in Hyattsville into public artworks.  Traffic signal cabinets – the stainless steel structures located at every signalized intersection – are vulnerable to graffiti and vandalism.  This project will utilize a public art application to address community blight and enhance the visual landscape.  Artist designs will be printed on vinyl and wrapped around state-maintained signal box cabinets in the City of Hyattsville. This project is made possible through funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Legacy Program and the support of the Maryland State Highway Administration. Deadline This call is open until 4pm on Friday, May 25th, 2018.  To ensure fairness to all, there are no extensions or waivers of deadlines. Eligibility This call is open to all artists, graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers who currently live or work within the State of Maryland.  Submitted designs must be original artwork and can be created in any medium, so long as it can be represented in, and is submitted as, a high-resolution digital image without loss of integrity or quality.

View Full Call for Artists Here 

This has gone on through the ages...

Mayor Mark Farrell said Friday he was “embarrassed” by a Board of Appeals vote to block the removal of a statue in the Civic Center depicting Native Americans in a demeaning manner and called for “a resolution to remove this statue from the Pioneer Monument immediately.”

Nothing new here... every civilization has always cleansed itself of earlier artwork that later sensibilities found offensive; you can't erase the history, so destroy the art.

Sigh... it doesn't work.

Read the story here.

Commission sketches

I have a nice commission in the works - another one which will include a video component... Here are some rough sketches in prep for the final work.

Visual Arts Summer Camp Instructors

The Brentwood Arts Exchange is seeking a Lead Instructor for its Creative Expressions Camp June 18 – August 10, 2018. Camps run 9 am-4:30 pm weekdays in 2-week sessions, ages 6-12, maximum 15 students/camp. The Lead Instructor works with Assistant Instructors to develop engaging visual arts curriculum and activities in a fun, safe camp environment in an arts center operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. 

Ideal candidates will have multiple years of experience teaching art to children, certified arts teachers are preferred. The Lead Instructor must be available during all camp days and times, as well as to-be-scheduled planning dates in late May/early June, and evening trainings June 12-13. 

Interested arts teachers should apply by emailing a resume and brief cover letter to pgp-brentwood-arts@pgparks.com