Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Free Bootcamp for Artists this Saturday!

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 six 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 also 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.

The seminar will be offered this coming Saturday, November 2 at Harmony Hall, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744 - courtesy of PG County and fully free to all artists - and lunch is included!

In its six 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.

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.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Call for Prince George’s Artists

I am pleased to share with and encourage you to apply to PG's newest call for entries and exhibition opportunity for Prince George’s County artists. This call is for Perspective: Prince George’s, the 2020 Annual Prince George’s Exhibition in Annapolis.  

This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Due to the nature of the exhibition space, only two-dimensional artworks that can be safely installed on hanging cables will be accepted. However, new for this year's exhibition, artists working in 3-dimensions; such as free standing sculpture, ceramics, found objects or any other medium or material that is molded, cast, carved, or assembled are also encouraged to submit high quality photographs of their work for consideration in this exhibition. If selected, a high quality print of the main face of the 3-dimensional work will be displayed in place of the piece. It will be the artist’s responsibility to print and frame the piece for display.

The exhibit will be at the Lowe House Office Building in Annapolis, MD from January 6 to April 6, 2020. All works to be included in the exhibition will be selected by Arts and Cultural Heritage Division staff with a focus in showing a broad range of artwork.

Click here for the flier that contains information for the exhibition and the application process.

All works for consideration must be submitted online at: 
m-ncppc.submittable.com. Please send any questions to Stuart Diekmeyer at stuart.diekmeyer@pgparks.com or Sara Caporaletti at sara.caporaletti@pgparks.com.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Nueva Vida Auction

During “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” local, national and international artists will join Nueva Vida (New Life) in a silent art auction and benefit cocktail reception (VIDART) honoring breast cancer survivors and caregivers. 

Nueva Vida is a 20-year-old support health network for Latinas with cancer. VIDART will be held at the renowned Museum of the Americas (AMA) in Washington, DC the evening of October 19th.

The below two pieces on broken bisque will be on the auction block. Bid for them here.

Eve Running Away from Eden

Frida Kahlo in Clouds
Curated by Irene Clouthier and Shanti Norris.

Monday, October 14, 2019

For 2015auodel


2015auodel: Please send me a note to lennycampello@hotmail.com

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Do this today!

Sunday, October 13, 2pm.

Lecture: Art with a Twist


Montpelier Art Center at 9652 Muirkirk Rd, Laurel, MD


Join me as I take a fun walk through art history that culminates in contemporary art where I will discuss the work of some DC area artists and our regional art scene, and answer questions.

Lecture is free and open to the public.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

31st National Drawing & Print Competitive Exhibition

Deadline: January 15, 2020. 

Juror: Doreen Bolger, Former Director of the Baltimore Museum of Art. 

Awards: A minimum of $1,500 available in purchase prize awards. 

Exhibition dates: March 23 through April 24, 2020. 

Eligibility and Media: Drawing and prints (not photography) in any medium up to 60" high, framed, are eligible with no limitations as to color, surface, or materials. All drawings and prints must be original works of art. Each artist may submit up to 3 works online only. No mailed or emailed entries will be accepted. 

Entry Fee: A nonrefundable entry fee of $36.00 entitles the artist to submit up to three entries. 

Selection process: Initial jury will be of online submissions received by January 15, 2020. Notification will be by email on January 31, 2020. Accepted drawings and prints received by March 2 will be juried for purchase prize awards at the value set by the artist. 

Works selected for purchase prize awards will become the property of Notre Dame of Maryland University. 

Submit online here: https://artndm.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/52095

More information: ndm.edu/gormleygallery 

Friday, October 11, 2019

Texas Contemporary Art Fair

Texas Contemporary Art Fair Houston - Our awesome booth -- George R Brown Convention Center. Booth D27! Showcasing Jodi Walsh, Matthew Langley and yours truly!


Come to this free lecture tomorrow!

Lecture: Art with a Twist, Sunday, October 13, 2019, 2 pm
Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708

Join me as I take a fun walk through art history that culminates in contemporary art where I will discuss the work of some area artists (DMV, Baltimore, etc.). Lecture is free and open to the public. Please call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 to register.

Earlier on I challenged my FB peeps to nominate an area artist for me to discuss at the lecture - some of the ones already on my list: Sam Gilliam, Tim Tate, Tim Vermeulen, Rik Freeman, Mark Jenkins, Shanthi Chandra-Sekar, Joey Manlapaz, Percy Martin, Sharon Moody, Judith Peck, Schroeder Cherry, and others...

Joey Manlapaz

Schroeder Cherry
Rik Freeman

Eighth season of MPT’s Artworks series premieres October 18

Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) popular original series Artworks returns for its eighth season on Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. This fall, the 30-minute weekly series on MPT-HD will continue to feature a range of artistic themes from emerging and established creators in the region and across the country.

Throughout the 2019-2020 season, series host Rhea Feikin will be joined by a roster of co-hosts representing arts organizations from the greater Baltimore-Washington area. Guest hosts currently being scheduled include artistic directors and administrators from the Washington Opera Society; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Baltimore-based Strand Theatre; and Trade4Art, a bartering network that connects artists with tradespeople.

The Oct. 18 season premiere episode features the stunning work of Cervilio Amador, a Cuban defector and principal dancer for the Cincinnati Ballet.  After training at the National Ballet School of Cuba and joining the National Ballet of Cuba, Amador escaped from his the brutal Communist tyranny of his home country in 2003 to become a member of the Cincinnati Ballet. He has performed numerous lead roles in full length ballets throughout his career including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, King Arthur in King Arthur’s Camelot, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Peter in Peter Pan. Also featured during the season premiere are Scott Patterson of Afro House and Abraham Burickson of Odyssey Works, both Baltimore-based visionaries who use artistic expression to celebrate the power of imagination.

Other new Artworks episodes airing during the upcoming season include a range of quirky, famous, and fringe artists. Harpist Calvin Arsenia, pyrotechnic artist Lisa Friedrich, sculptor John Cross, and Baltimore-based poets Gayle Danley and Leslie Harrison are showcased, among many others. In addition to feature profiles, the eighth season of Artworks includes segments covering pop-up exhibits with local visual artists and local music to close episodes. A virtual gallery and an Art Talk about improvisation are also in the planning stages.

Each Friday evening Artworks episode is rebroadcast on Saturday at 8 p.m. on MPT2/Create and on Sunday at 6:30 a.m. on MPT-HD. For more information, visit mpt.org/programs/artworks/.

Major Funding for Artworks is provided by the Citizens of Baltimore County. Additional funding is provided by the Ruth R. Marder Arts Endowment Fund; The Robert E. Meyerhoff and Rheda Becker Endowment for the Arts; The E.T. Robert B. Rocklin Fund; and The Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation Arts Endowment in Memory of Ruth Marder.

Wednesday, October 09, 2019

Akemi Maegawa - Artist's Talk at MK Gallery

No photo description available.



Akemi Maegawa, “Strong in the Rain, Strong in the Wind.”
October 5-November 1, 2019
Artist Talk: Saturday, October 19, 1-2pm

MK Gallery
1952 Gallows Rd Ste 202
Vienna, Virginia 22182
(703) 734-7777

This coming Sunday!

Sunday, October 13, 2pm.

Lecture: Art with a Twist


Montpelier Art Center

9652 Muirkirk Rd


Join me as I take a fun walk through art history that culminates in contemporary art where I will discuss the work of some DC area artists and our regional art scene, and answer questions.

Lecture is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, October 08, 2019

Monday, October 07, 2019

Superfine! fair is back later this month!

More details later - meanwhile, read my review from last year's inaugural fair here.

Fair details here.