Maryland Renaissance Festival 2024

As I've done several times in the past, I attended Maryland Renaissance Festival 2024 yesterday, and as usual, it was a spectacular day in an most unique place where traveling back in time (this time to 1537) was not only worth it, but also easily one of the best and most entertaining and fun-filled events that someone in our neck of the woods can attend.

Let me be clear: On the scale of 1-10 on my recommendation for spending a fun-filled day, the Maryland Renaissance Festival gets 1000!

We picked up our tickets at Will Call, where the pretty elf on duty was efficient and to the point.

Me: "Hi... I was also told to show you my ID to get the military discount..."

Elf: "Can I see your ID card?"

I hand it to her and she examines it closely.

Elf: "Nope... military discount is only for active duty, not retired military" she says firmly as she hands the card back.

I grumble to myself as I walk away disappointed and bummed out and enter the festival, where within a few feet my son and I are transported back to 1537 and immediately greeted by these ladies below... which improved my mood immediately.

Quite possibly one of the best people-watching places on Earth, especially for artists and people watchers like me and most readers of this blog, is the huge medieval world created by the hard-working people who set up this festival year after year for the past few decades.

A couple of decades ago, I actually rented a tent at this fair and sold a lot of artwork - all of it was somewhat related to the theme at hand -- at the time I was doing a lot of drawings about standing stones in Scotland, the saga of The Wallace, and ancient Pictish and Celtic legends - so it fit right in.

This year there must have been a sale on pointed ears, as there were elves by the hundreds at the fair - I suspect that there was a Vulcan or two around, trying to pass for an elf in the crowd, as I saw at least two Klingons, obviously time traveling, and Boba Fett was also seen wandering in the crowd.

Elfin princess at the Maryland Renaissance Festival 2024

There are multiple stages throughout the festival, and constant performances by highly talented musicians, entertainers, magicians, sword-swallowers, etc.

From the several that we saw, DC ART NEWS awards the Best Act at the Maryland Renaissance Festival 2024 to juggler Paolo Garbanzo!

Paolo Garbanzo at the 2024 Maryland Renaissance Festival

Garbanzo is not only a superbly talented juggler, but he is also a master comedian, a superbly gifted ad hoc talker (during his act there was a ballerina war, a math war... yeah) but also a finely tuned performer with an almost supernatural link with his audience - he is able to "tune" the act to the audience as the speed of someone who has refined his talents over years of practice and observation.

All through the grounds are crafts people, artists, cooks, sellers, and entertainers which pepper the festival with hundreds of things to see, buy, touch, learn and do.

One of many vendors at the 2024 Maryland Renaissance Festival

There is also a huge diversity of spirits, beers, meads and ales to enjoy! And lots of visitors, both human or elfish were enjoying the offerings, as well as a cat or two!

A gorgeous feline at the Maryland Renaissance Festival 2024

One of the many taverns and pubs at the Maryland Renaissance Festival 2024

Two costumed visitors to the Maryland Renaissance Festival 2024

For lunch, the younger Campello wanted a steak on a stake (get it?) and for $7 he got a really nice, full size, grilled steak on a stick, which he wolfed down as we headed to the jousting arena.

We got there a little early, which was good, as the place really packs up as the time for the joust to begin approaches.  We sat next to an elf witch with a small brood of little elves by the side.

The joust began with the lords and ladies introducing the mistress of ceremonies as Princess Luna of the Kingdom of Andalucía -  she was a gorgeous and highly skilled MC!

Lords and ladies at the joust arena

The almost seven million readers of this blog already know that I am a pedantic Virgo, and in 1537 there was no such thing as a Kingdom of Andalucía.  

In the past, the ancient kingdoms of Jaén, Córdoba and Seville were collectively referred to under the name Andalucía, which comes from the way that the Arabic speaking Moors which invaded Iberia in the 700s and were kicked out of Spain by 1492, referred to that southern region of the Iberian peninsula, which had been settled and ruled by the Germanic tribe known as the Vandals.

Thus the Arabic name for (essentially) southern Spain was al-Andalus, which means "Land of the Vandals." As such, al-Andalus evolved to Andalucía.

Sorry Princess Luna.

Joust at the 2024 Maryland Renaissance Festival

The joust was spectacular! All four riders were superb horsemen and performed a variety of "ooooh" "aaaaaah" eliciting riding skills, especially the knight from Ireland and the prince from Portugal - who was easily the most skilled and versatile jouster! 

Prince Miguel from Portugal was amazing!

However, in my pedantic hell I also had issues with the Irish and Portuguese name selections.  If I were in charge, I would have had the Irishman be a Scottish knight - after all King Robert The Bruce of Scotland sent hundreds of Scottish cavalry to Spain to help the Christians defeat the Moors during the Reconquista.

Prince Miguel from Portugal should really be recast as perhaps a member of the Marinid Dynasty, a Berber Muslim dynasty that ruled present-day Morocco from the mid-13th to the 15th century and were a powerful presence in other parts of North Africa.

Joust at the 2024 Maryland Renaissance Festival

In summary, one of the funnest, most enjoyable, entertaining ways to spend a day on this planet!  The festival only runs a few weekends a year (yesterday was the last day for 2024), and the tickets sell out fast!  You can visit them online and you have to reserve your tickets early for 2025, as they will sell out fast!

My kudos to every one associated with the hard work and labor of love that it is to present, work, and stage the festival. I am in awe of your love and commitment!

Details here.

Erik Sandberg at CONNERSMITH

One of the most talented and gifted DMV area painters is Erik Sandberg, a fabulous artist whose career I’ve been following since he was an art student at George Mason University under the great Margarida Kendall.

Sandberg is currently exhibiting at CONNERSMITH and we are told that “this final work in his most recent cycle of paintings exemplifies the artist’s acclaimed Surrealist expression of contemporary humanism. Sandberg sets forth a vivid allegory of our relationships to one another and nature in “Bramble” with multiple human and animal figures who coexist in their own world.

Grounded in cohering elements of earth, trees and grass, the jumble of interwoven figures - five humans, a fox, a rabbit, a monkey and a crocodile - appears to revolve in empty space. In their actions and gestures, Sandberg conceptualizes dynamics among members of a household, community, or society which function as a singular organism. The characters, at odds with their circumstances, move in disparate directions, either struggling to stop, or redirect, the revolving construct, or attempting to destroy the barriers that separate them.”

CONNERSMITH is open by appointment, online, and via social media.

Camila Mancilla - Homesick

Camila Mancilla, an Alexandria-based architect and artist, currently has an exhibition titled Homesick, now on display at the District Architecture Center in Washington, DC.

The show features a combination of collage, found objects, and cutouts to explore the emotional layers of memory and nostalgia within architectural spaces.

From her website we learn that:

Camila Mancilla is an architect who combines mixed media, paper construction, collage, and video installations to explore themes like identity, liminality, and the nuances of architecture through inmateriality. Her three-dimensional collages offer fresh perspectives on both architectural and human structures. Transformation and a deep understanding of human experiences within various spaces are at the heart of her work.

Mancilla's video installations and multimedia experiments build upon her collage work, drawing viewers into dynamic spatial explorations. These creations encourage reflection on the deep connections between architectural spaces and human emotions.

In the academic realm, Mancilla teaches at Virginia Tech and Universidad Austral de Chile.  Her research focuses on the relationship between architecture and monsters (collages). Her distinct artwork has been showcased in numerous exhibitions worldwide. Additionally, she holds a Master's degree in Cultural Heritage from Escuela de Arquitectura UC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and is currently pursuing her PhD at Virginia Tech WAAC.

Del Ray Artisans “$100 & Under” exhibit

Del Ray Artisans “$100 & Under” exhibit (November 1 – December 1, 2024) showcases members’ artwork all priced at $100 or less. 

The art is sold on an art-to-go basis. 

The gallery walls are packed with great art at prices all art-lovers can afford - exhibit curated by Dale Spivey and Kurt Peterson.

Opening Reception: Friday, November 1, 7-9pm. Open Thursdays 12-6pm, Fridays 12-9pm, Saturdays & Sundays 12-6pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day. 

View exhibit at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. Details: DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits

Feedback from the 2024 Art Bank Jurors

For decades and decades I've been submitting my artwork to the Washington, DC ART BANK call for art to add to the city's collection -- for many of those years I've also served as one of the jurors in the panel which recommends acquisitions to the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.

I've always been rejected - which as I preach, all artists must learn as part of their growth process.  Art is subjective, and thus what juror A may like, Juror B dislikes and so on.

As all three of my entries (subjects were Celia Cruz, Frida Kahlo and Bob Marley) I took them to the last Affordable Art Fair in New York City, where I sold them all!

I always ask for feedback and here's the feedback to my recent submissions, which consisted of the aforementioned three Bisque drawings.

FY25 Art Bank Program

Debrief Document

Panel Date: 7-23-2024

Applicant: Florencio Lennox Campello

CAH Staff:

· Karyn Miller, Public Art Department Manager | Panel Convener

· Michelle May-Curry, Curator | Art Bank Grant Manager

· Ron Humbertson, Art Collections Registrar | Panel Support

· Deirdre Darden, Public Art Coordinator | Panel Support

· vEnessa Acham, Program Specialist | Panel Support

· Luisa Hammond, Assistant Registrar | Panel Support

· Maya Lee, Public Art Intern | Panel Support

Review Panelists:

· Nancy Geyer, ARTerrain

· Lenora Yerkes, Artist

· Sarah Hull, Artist, DC Arts Center Visual Arts Committee member

· Ashley Molese, Maryland Institute Collage of Art, curator

· Minami Hoffman, Artist and Coordinator, Life Pieces to Masterpieces

Program Overview:

In support of local visual artists, District art galleries, and District art nonprofit organizations, CAH acquires fine art from metropolitan artists to grow the Art Bank Collection. Artwork in the collection is owned by CAH and loaned to District Government agencies for display in public areas and offices of government buildings. The Art Bank Collection, which started in 1986, has over 3,000 artworks.

The review panel was comprised of arts, humanities, and business professionals independent of CAH. Prior to meeting for the review session, panelists had time to review all applications and provide numerical scores. Evaluation criteria include aesthetic and conceptual strength (50%); artistic contribution (20%); and value as a cultural asset to DC’s artistic community (30%). Scoring ranges from 1 to 10, with under 3 being poor, 3 and 4 average, 5 and 6 good, 7 and 8 excellent, and 9 and 10 superior. Works scoring at 7 or above were considered for finalist selection.

Panel Score: 6.5

Panelist Comments:

· Panelist comment: “Unique combination of techniques and material.”

· Panelist comment: “Intrigued with process of reclamation.”

· Panelist stated the drawings overall appear technically well-executed.

· Panelist comment on subject matter: “Drawings feel like they are copied from photographs or like they are a repurposing of another artist’s works, but not intentionally original enough.”

· Panelist expressed the concept and subject matter of the work is somewhat derivative, and the panelist is concerned about how much the repurposing of other artists' photography has been transformed in a way the reflects a unique vision from this artist.

· Panelist was really intrigued by this process of reclamation and portraiture.

· Panelist felt in their modest size, presenting the artwork in a series of multiples in a vitrine would be the best way for the city to experience them.

o Panelist comment: “It is hard to imagine as single individual acquisition, seem like they would work very well as a group much stronger than as single pieces.”

o Panelist comment: “it is hard to see as individual works and possibly stronger as a collective dialogue.”

· Panelists note a lack of clarity around the choice of substrate used across the artist’s works, even though the artist does note it specifically in the statement

· Panelist comment: “Applicant describes why he draws, but not his choice of substrate, the unusual choice of which begs explanation. He also describes where he takes his inspiration, but the subject of these works seems cliched. Perhaps the artist is making a commentary I can't perceive, but without further explanation, I am left cold.”

· Panelist comment: I like this artist's choice of material. Shards of pottery can evoke archeological finds, something found in the rubble of an earthquake, and so on--their brokenness having a melancholy aspect and suggesting the passage of time (everything breaks down eventually). Except these shards are pristinely white, which complicates things. And yet, for me, something is missing from these works that could make them more powerful, with the possible exception of "The Eyes of Frida Kahlo," which is haunting. I can imagine walking along and coming across this fragment in the grass or in a gutter (not a comment on the quality of the art!)--and keeping it forever.

· Panelist comment: “Conceptually interesting, very fine detailed drawings on porcelain, fragment aspect very interesting, but seems like something is missing.”

Opportunity for Artists

Falls Church Art Gallery is currently accepting submissions for the upcoming VIVID exhibition, which will run from November 23, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The exhibition will be curated by Barbara Januszkiewicz , a noted curator with extensive experience in the regional art community. The VIVID exhibition will feature works that emphasize bold use of color and unique perspectives.

Barbara Januszkiewicz

Artists are invited to submit their work for consideration, with cash awards available for selected entries. The exhibition will be held both at the Falls Church Gallery, located at 700-B West Broad St., Falls Church, VA, and through an online platform.

Key Dates:

• Entry Deadline: October 27, 2024
• Meet the Artists Reception: November 23, 2024, from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Exhibition Dates: November 23, 2024 – January 5, 2025

Barbara Januszkiewicz has curated several prominent shows, including exhibitions for Metro Micro Gallery, Del Ray Artisans, and the Potomac Watercolor Society. Their expertise will lend a thoughtful and discerning perspective to the VIVID exhibition, making this a compelling opportunity for artists.

For submission details and to enter, visit greenscap.wufoo.com/forms/vivid.

See website for further details - www.FallsChurchArts.org. For questions please email info@FallsChurchArts.org or call 703-679-7881and leave message.

Under $2500 Call for Entries

 Prospectus 

Virtual Application

UNDER $2500 Benefit Exhibition and Sale:
Friday, November 22 | 6 to 10 pm  | Tickets $30

Purchase UNDER $2500 Tickets HERE 

Last Chance (physical):
Saturday, November 23 | 12 to 4 pm

Virtual Exhibition & Sale:
Saturday, November 23, 10 am – Black Friday, November 29, 12 am

To view the virtual exhibition, sponsor or donate click HERE 
Live on Saturday, November 23 @ 10 am

CALL FOR ENTRY: Have your work purchased by local buyers & collectors, just in time for the holidays! Maryland Art Place (MAP) is seeking artists for UNDER $2500, our upcoming winter benefit exhibition & affordable art sale. The exhibition will include approximately 1-3 works by each selected artist (scale dependent – in the case of smaller works more than 3 pieces may be accepted). Each individual piece must retail for $2,500 or less.

Why UNDER $2500? In the last 2 years inflation has been a huge contributing factor to rising artwork sales prices. Simply put, the cost of goods for artists to create their art is far higher than it used to be. The majority of galleries consider the most important contemporary artwork value segments to be under $5,000–$10,000 according to ARTSY (2023.) It is with that in mind that MAP is presenting UNDER $2500 as affordable.

In our 12th year of the sale, we look forward to showcasing a more diverse and broader range of artworks. Artists are encouraged to submit works retailing in both the UNDER $500 and UNDER $2500 categories to include original works, editioned prints, sculptures and more.

UNDER $2500 is MAP’s winter benefit. Proceeds from the sale of artwork will be split 50/50 between Maryland Art Place and the artist. The event is ticketed ($30) however participating artists are welcomed free of charge.

UNDER $2500 is a hybrid, physical and virtual exhibition event. The physical exhibition opens Friday, November 22 from 6pm-10pm. Artworks may be purchased by patrons and taken off the walls on a first come first served basis that night. All works will be wrapped in brown paper with MAP’s signature holiday bow. 

The virtual sale will launch the very next day, Saturday November 23 at 10 am and run through BLACK FRIDAY, November 29, 10pm. The virtual sale will include more artists than the physical sale. *Please note: applications received will be selected for either the virtual sale (featured online) exclusively, or for both the physical (featured in gallery) AND virtual exhibition (featured online). Your acceptance letter will indicate in which capacity your work will be presented.

MAP will maintain gallery hours Saturday, November 23 through Friday, November 29 on Tuesday - Saturday  from noon-4pm for any remaining physical works that may be left for purchase. *MAP is closed Sunday & Monday. 

Timeline:

October 3  – Call For Entry, 12pm

November 1  – Call For Entry Deadline

Week of November 4 – Artists Notified of Selection

Thursday, November 7 –  Tuesday , November 12– Artwork Drop Off – 11am-4pm 

Friday, November 22  (6 – 10pm) & Saturday, November 23, 2023 (12 to 4pm)– Under $500

Saturday, November 23, 10am  – Friday, November 29, 10pm – Virtual Exhibition & Sale
 

NOTE: Proposals should be emailed to under500@mdartplace.org no later than  Friday November 1, 2024 at Midnight. Subject line: Under $2500 Application. 

Submission Guidelines: To apply please submit your materials to under500@mdartplace.org, subject line UNDER $500 Application  by Friday, November 1 @ Midnight. There is NO fee to apply. OR fill out this FORM online.

Applications NOW OPEN for 2025 Wherewithal Grants

 

2025 Wherewithal Grants Info Session: Wednesday, October 16 at 6:30pm  Deadline: Tuesday, November 12

The application portal for the next cycle of Wherewithal Grants is now open! DC-area artists may apply for support in areas of Project & Presentation or Research depending on which best supports your practice at this time. The deadline for applications is November 12. $7,500 Project & Presentation Grants support ongoing or new projects that embrace unconventional or D.I.Y. values and will be presented publicly in the DC-area during the grant period. Project & Presentation grants are intended to directly support artists presenting work in spaces beyond commercial galleries, museums, or established non-profit art spaces. $5,000 Research Grants are for DC-area artists to further their practices through ideation, research, and experimentation. Grant funds compensate you for your intellectual labor, support payment for other artists and thinkers for their time and contributions, and other research-related expenses. The application deadline is Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 11:59pm. Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of artists and arts professionals with up to 10 grants awarded. The grant period is from January–December 2025. For full details, visit wherewithalgrants.org. Below, find links to RSVP for the Virtual Information Session on Wednesday, October 16 and sign up for one-on-one meetings between October 22 and November 8. Please email Regrants Manager Nathalie von Veh at nvonveh@wpadc.org with any additional questions. DETAILS & APPLICATION HERE Virtual Information Session The Information Session is on Wednesday, October 16 from 6:30–7:30pm and will take place over Zoom. This is for DC-area artists and collectives to learn more about current grant opportunities ahead of the deadline on Tuesday, November 12. It will be recorded and accessible afterwards. RSVP Here. Sign up for Office Hours If you have questions specific to your application, we encourage you to meet one-on-one with Regrants Manager Nathalie von Veh. Meetings will take place virtually between Tuesday, October 22 and Friday, November 8 and will each be 20 minutes long. Reserve a meeting slot here. About Wherewithal Grants Wherewithal Grants are a funding source for artists in the DC-area. Generously funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts as part of its Regional Regranting Program and managed by WPA, these grants are intended to support a wide range of experimental and multidisciplinary practices, particularly those that emphasize collaboration and discourse. Since launching in 2019, Wherewithal Grants has supported 146 visual artists with a total of $340,000 in grants.