Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists showing at Superfine DC


Meet the artists showing at the 2023 Superfine DC Art Fair this weekend!

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Superfine DC Art Fair Next Weekend

Superfine DC Art Fair

Dock5 @ Union Market - Booth 931309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002-7003, United StatesVIP Masquerade Opening:Thu Oct 26: 6-10pmGeneral Admission Hours:*Fri Oct 27: 4-9pSat Oct 28: 12-9pmSun Oct 29: 12-6pm

Go see Jennifer Brewerstone in Booth 93 - she writes:

I've been looking forward to doing this indoor art fair for some time. I'll be showing my original artwork, including paintings and resin work, my canvas and poster reproductions, and cards. The VIP night on Thursday will be a dress up/masquerade party, which should be fun, and this is in the same building as all the shops and restaurants at Union Market. Can't wait to see you!

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

DC Art Now 2023 Gallery Exhibition Reception - This Thursday!

DC Art Now 2023 Gallery Exhibition Reception --  200 I Street Gallery for a reception to celebrate the finalists for the FY24 Art Bank Program! On view in the gallery is the latest exhibition, DC Art Now 2023, an annual exhibition of selected work by Art Bank finalists. See DC come to life through photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking, textiles, and more! 

6 to 8 pm, Thursday, October 19, 2023

200 I (Eye) St SE, Washington, DC, 20003

Monday, October 16, 2023

It's the 20th Anniversary of DC ART NEWS!

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Peppers taught the band to play... that this art blog got started in an effort to help the DC area visual art scene get a little online presence!

Read my first blog post ever here.

Sunday, October 15, 2023

"Living in Bethesda" by Anna Soevik at Gallery B

Don't miss your chance to visit Gallery B and view "Living in Bethesda" by Anna Rose Soevik. 

Anna, a UK-born artist who has called Bethesda home for 25 years, draws attention to notable figures and moments in Bethesda's history, and features pixel portraits of famous figures from around the world. 

Gallery hours are Friday-Saturday, 12 PM - 5 PM, and Sunday 11 AM - 2 PM. Gallery B is located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue E.

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Downtown DC Public Art and Placemaking Strategic Plan.

The DowntownDC invites you to participate in an exciting new five-year initiative to install high-impact public art and streetscape improvements to rejuvenate our communities, attract more visitors, and create strong neighborhood identities.

They want to hear from you!
  • What areas do you think should be prioritized?
  • What kind of high-impact projects should we invest in?
  • Where do you currently visit in Downtown DC?
  • Who should be our partners, and how do we guarantee success?
These are just some of the questions we need your help with to develop our new DowntownDC Public Art and Placemaking Strategic Plan.  The Public Art and Placemaking Strategic Plan for DowntownDC is a visionary five-year plan aimed at rapidly and seamlessly integrating new public art, placemaking, and placekeeping initiatives into the area’s urban fabric in ways that enrich the character and identity of the DowntownDC neighborhoods that compose it. Please help inform it by joining them for the first stakeholder workshop on October 26, 2023, 2 pm - 3 pm. Please click here to RSVP to the meeting. They look forward to seeing you at the workshop and hearing your ideas! Please RSVP your attendance by using the link. Public Art and Placemaking Strategic Plan Flyer

Friday, October 13, 2023

Wanna go to an opening in Brandywine tomorrow?

Roxana Rojas-Luzón,Southern Area Aquatics Recreation Complex,Carlos Garcia,Ruben Salomon

 

Happy Birthday!

 

USS Curtis Wilbur
USS Curtis Wilbur

Happy Birthday to the US Navy and to all my U.S. Navy brothers and sisters at sea - we've got your back!

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Dr. Francesca Smith ’23 Wins 2023 CPED Dissertation in Practice of the Year Award

"I hope that my research can play a small part in aligning these bodies of research, in highlighting the assets that Spanish-dominant emergent bilinguals bring to learning ..."

Dr. Alida Anderson, SOE Professor and Dr. Francesca Smith

To complete her doctorate in education in educational policy and leadership, American University School of Education (SOE) student Dr. Francesca Smith ’23 centered her dissertation around research that she cared deeply about: bilingual students from Latinx immigrant families and their experiences in dual-language English reading instruction. The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) awarded her the prestigious Dissertation in Practice of the Year Award which she accepted in a ceremony in Florida this month...

“Dr. Smith’s dissertation of practice is specifically framed around questions of equity, ethics, and social justice in her interrogation of the promise of a dual-language community school within an urban, gentrified community context” said Dr. Alida Anderson, SOE Professor and the chair of Smith’s dissertation committee (pictured on the right with Smith). “Her dissertation embodies the values of CPED as it provides a roadmap for scholar practitioners committed to addressing systems-level equity challenges facing schools and teachers serving emergent bilingual students and their families.”

Read the entire article by Jason Pier here.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Painting Missing Since WWII is Recovered in Chicago

Art Recovery International is pleased to announce the recovery of a painting by Viennese artist Johann Franz Nepomuk Lauterer (1700 – 1733). The painting was reported stolen from the Bavarian State Painting Collections in Munich, Germany, and has been missing since 1945.

In December 2022, Christopher A. Marinello, lawyer and founder of Art Recovery International (“ARI”), was contacted by an individual in Chicago who claimed to possess a “stolen or looted painting” and wanted to know how to go about returning it. It was alleged that the possessor’s uncle had brought the painting home from Germany after serving in the US Army in WWII.

The possessor sent only a few images of the landscape painting to ARI with no information about the artist or title.

Marinello and his team went to work. Turning to his colleagues in Germany, attorneys at WANTUCH THOLE VOLHARD, the artwork was identified as a long-lost Lauterer landscape once part of the collection of the New Bayreuth Palace, a branch gallery of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The painting had been listed since 2012 on the Lost Art Database maintained by the German Lost Art Foundation which documents cultural property expropriated as a result of Nazi persecution and contains records of cultural property that was removed from Germany during the Second World War. The Lost Art database is accessible to the public.

Marinello explains the delicate negotiations with the possessor, “I shared all the evidentiary documentation of the loss with the possessor who initially wanted to be paid to release the artwork. I explained our policy of not paying for stolen artwork and that the request was inappropriate given the familial connection. We also know that someone tried to sell the painting in the Chicago art market in 2011 and disappeared when the Museum put forth its claim. Eventually, I negotiated an unconditional release of the painting and asked the FBI Art Crime Team to bring the case over the finish line. The FBI in Chicago confirmed the looting and provided the extra confidence to the possessor to surrender the painting unconditionally”.

“The crux of our work at Art Recovery International is the research and restitution of artworks looted by the Nazis and discovered in public or private collections. On occasion, we come across cases, such as this, where allied soldiers may have taken objects home as souvenirs or as trophies of war.  Being on the winning side doesn’t make it right. We expect everyone to do the right thing and return stolen artwork wherever it may be located. The problem of looted art will not go away but is often passed onto future generations to deal with”.

Marinello thanks Chicago-based FBI Special Agent David White, “This repatriation could not have happened without the swift action of the FBI Art Crime Team. Also particularly helpful was the entry of the painting as a war-related loss in the Lost Art database.”

The Lauterer painting will be formally returned to the Museum in a brief ceremony at the German Consulate in Chicago on the 19th of October 202

Monday, October 09, 2023

I stand with Israel


 

Sunday, October 08, 2023

DC’s Washington Glass School and Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington and Vets

DC’s Washington Glass School and Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington Join Forces to Empower Veterans through Glass Sculpture Workshops!

“What’s bad for your heart is good for your art.”


Perhaps no one understands this truth better than Veterans, many of whom endure pain of all types. It’s also true for many that creating something out of that pain promotes healing – so much so that DC’s Veteran’s Affairs has partnered with the Washington Glass School (WGS) and the Museum of Glass (MOG) in Tacoma, WA. to bring the restorative power of art to active duty patients and Veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorders.  

Started in 2013 at Takoma’s MOG, the Hot Shop Heroes program has been dedicated to teaching glass safety procedures, fundamental glassmaking techniques and team building skills. In one of the first partnerships with the MOG, WGS will add metal working and special glass casting techniques to the intensive arts encounter.

A new arts community will be created, one that brings Veterans and artists together. For the next 8 weeks the healing power of glass as a sculptural medium will culminate in a special exhibition of artwork coinciding with the WGS Holiday Open Studio scheduled for December 9, 2023.

Founded in 2001, the Washington Glass School continues to engage the larger community through the promotion, development, display, and amplification of many voices, lived experiences and backgrounds. 

Saturday, October 07, 2023

Half a million hits in one day

About twenty years ago something odd happened that caused about half a million people to visit a gallery's website - read the vintage post here.

Friday, October 06, 2023

Meet the Artists

 


RSVP here!

Vanessa and Elise

My two beautiful daughters in 1989 - it was clearly hair day!

Vanessa Campello and Elise Campello


Thursday, October 05, 2023

Jambalaya (On the Bayou)

Thibodaux, Fontaineaux the place is buzzin'

A kin-folk come to see Yvonne by the dozen

Dressed in style, the go hog wild, me oh my oh

Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the Bayou


Tuesday, October 03, 2023

Are art critics objective? Hell No!

I think that the chances that Gopnik would be "amazed" by Anderson's art are about the same as the chances that Laura Bush will elope with Osama Bin Laden. In fact I think that in Gopnik's books, the Anderson show may just beat the J. Seward Johnson show at the Corcoran that Gopnik brutalized a few weeks ago when he wrote: "This is the worst museum exhibition I've ever seen."

Read this post from almost 20 years ago on the subject at hand.

2023 BLICK Pen & Ink Challenge

2023 BLICK Pen & Ink Challenge: Submit your original pen-and-ink artwork for a chance to WIN a prize pack worth over $500!

Prize Description: Five winners will receive a prize pack worth more than $500

No fee!

Enter here!

Monday, October 02, 2023

A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to
    • They were busy/had jobs

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art student can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Sunday, October 01, 2023

Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition

The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: 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. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Friday, September 29, 2023

The curious case of Jens Haaning

Artist Who Submitted Empty Canvases to Danish Museum Must Repay $70,000 shouts the headline in this Smithsonian Magazine article!

Originally, the museum had a specific vision in mind: Haaning was supposed to recreate two of his earlier works—An Average Austrian Year Income (2007) and An Average Danish Annual Income (2010)—which used euros and kroner bills to visually depict average salaries in those two countries.

When Haaning pocketed the kroner, he claimed his actions (and the empty canvases) were part of a broader performance art piece, which he called Take the Money and Run.

Read the article by Christopher Parker here

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Amber Robles-Gordon at Morton Fine Art

One of my fave DMV area artists is opening soon!

Morton Fine Art is pleased to present an exhibition of mixed media collage and assemblage by Washington D.C.-based interdisciplinary visual artist Amber Robles-Gordon. Continuing a visual conversation originated by Robles-Gordon with Successions: Traversing US Colonialism, her 2021 solo exhibition at American University Museum at the Katzen Center (curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah), Surely, she (he/we) is a little animal? expands the human-focused approach of Successions out towards the universal and the surreal. Who/what is worthy of care? Who cares for the defenseless? Who/what is defended? Incorporating the transdisciplinary study of human ecology into her practice and scope, Robles-Gordon uses the field as an anchor in her expansive investigations of race, history, the sciences and culture. The resulting new body of work rigorously explores colonialism and imperialism, global anti-blackness, child welfare and animal cruelty. Finding them all connected, just not equally, the exhibition exposes frank contradictions in American perceptions of human life, animal life and minority lives.

Surely, she (he/we) is a little animal?

New Mixed Media and Assemblage Artworks by AMBER ROBLES-GORDON

October 12th - November 9th, 2023

Opening reception 4-6pm on Saturday, October 14th, 2023.

The artist will be in attendance.

Please RSVP to info@mortonfineart.com.

Contact the gallery for viewing by appointment, price list, additional information and acquisition.

(202) 628-2787 (call or text)

info@mortonfineart.com

Contact the gallery for viewing by appointment, price list, additional information and acquisition.

(202) 628-2787 (call or text)

info@mortonfineart.com


Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Open Studios - MFA American University

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Monday, September 25, 2023

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Day five of the Affordable Art Fair and Escape from New York

Sunday is always somewhat of a stressful day -- if sales have been slow, every possible bite becomes urgent.

Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno
On my way from The Jane Hotel to the Metropolitan Pavilion
I came across a Goya truck: Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno

We get a visit from DMV are ubercollector Steve Krensky... Krensky, without a single doubt, has the largest collection of art by DMV artists on planet Earth! In fact, Krensky has more DMV artwork than all museums in the world combined.

Steve Krensky wearing one of his famous art outfits
Steve Krensky wearing one of his famous art outfits

Sunday crowds at the AAFNYC
Sunday crowds at the AAFNYC

Sunday sales are slow except for Seth Fairweather, whose work is on fire with multiple sales. When 5PM the fair ends and the furious process of repacking the art, breaking down and loading the van commences. With the whole crew busting ass, we escape from New York around 6:30PM - a new record!


Saturday, September 23, 2023

Day four of the Affordable Art Fair NYC

Here's what unusual: the fair has been very well attended - lots of people, yet sales have been somewhat slow -- my drawings on Bisque have been flying off the wall - but they're a very low price point.  Today Seth Fairweather had a decent sale of three of his very cool wall sculptures, but also faced dealing with a nice lady who wanted a huge discount on several of his colored glass pieces - we eventually refused the offer, which essentially wanted a third off!

Art collectors admire Seth Fairweather's work at the AAFNYC Fall 2023
Art collectors admire Seth Fairweather's work at the AAFNYC Fall 2023

Christina Helowicz "eye" sculptures have also been selling well, but again they're very low priced at around $300 each or so.

Eye sculpture by Christina Helowicz at the 2023 Fall AAFNYC
Eye sculpture by Christina Helowicz at the 2023 Fall AAFNYC

The works of Dora Patin continue to get a lot of attention - this gifted painter is clearly a superbly talented painter, and her trompe l'oeils are amazing to say the least. So far one has sold.

Double Venus by Dora Patin
Double Venus by Dora Patin

Susan Lamont's wonderful oils have made their debut in this fair - a lesson learned is that perhaps in the future the larger works may have more impact.

Pershing Square Crossing by Susan La Mont
Pershing Square Crossing by Susan La Mont

Friday, September 22, 2023

Day three of the Affordable Art Fair NYC

Day three is a long one, with a lot of young collectors strolling through the aisles (2,100 visitors today!).

Press from today:

  • Hyperallergic 
  • La Voce Di New York
  • W42ST
  • Thrillist
  • Alida Anderson Art Projects booth crew
    Alida Anderson Art Projects booth crew
    (left to right: Christina, me, Steve and Seth)

    Visitors to the Affordable Art Fair NYC Fall 2023

    Seth Fairweather with admirer
    Seth Fairweather with admirer