July 15, 2011 – The Art League

We’re On DCist’s Agenda!

July 15, 2011

We found a nice little write-up in DC’s popular local blog DCist about our featured artist, Frances Borchardt. DCist blogger Kerrin Kastorf reviewed Borchardt’s brand new show, “Prints in Pieces: Views of South County, open now in The Art League Gallery.

“We all know that Maryland is blessed with one of the most beautiful natural features in the world — the Chesapeake Bay — and Frances Borchardt takes full advantage of the artistic bounty it provides in her upcoming solo exhibition Prints In Pieces: Views of South County. Borchardt photographically documents the everyday life of her hometown south of Annapolis and then does something that no one else does: creates a sort of montage using old type cases that adds an interesting, and certainly unique, look to her work. Head on over to The Art League on Thursday to meet the artist, see her work and hear some bluegrass from The Higher Ground String Band. 6:30 to 8 p.m”

Read the post here along with other art goings-on in the nation’s capital.

Downtown Holiday Market 2011 Applications Now Open!

July 15, 2011

2011 Downtown Holiday Market

Applications Now Open

December 2nd-December 23rd, noon-8pm

801 S. F Street NW

Washington DC 20004

In partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement District and Diverse Markets Management, this year’s downtown market will operate for 3 weeks before Christmas. The location this year will be in front of the Smithsonian Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture between 7th and 9th Streets NW.

Handmade items, artwork, imported crafts and specialty food items are welcome to be sold at the market. Photos are required along with application in order to be considered for one of the 49 spaces. All booths include a 10×10 white tent, ground covering and electricity. Tables, chairs, extension cords and lighting are not included.

RATES:

$175/day for week 1

$200/day for week 2

$225/day for week 3

20% added for option to show all three weeks

Applications: Due August 15th with $40 fee required.

Jobs Resources!

July 15, 2011

Americans for the Arts does a lot more than fight for artists’ rights on Capitol Hill. They also have an incredible job bank, which gathers employment opportunities for the creavity-inclined all over the country. Have a look at their website if you happen to be job hunting!

Here are just a few of their most recent finds (one of them is at their office)!

Director of Marketing and Communications

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

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US – WA – D.C.

The successful candidate will have a college or graduate-level degree in marketing, communications, or arts administration. Several years of theatrical industry experience is preferred. Specifically,…
Jul-14-2011 – save job – email – more

Creative Kids Teacher

Lenore Blank Kelner and Company

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US – MD – Silver Spring

Creative Kids is currently hiring part-time teaching artists for the fall session of the 2011-2012 academic school year. We are looking for teachers who are available to teach at least one class …
Jul-14-2011 – save job – email – more

Research Associate – Statistical Analyst

League of American Orchestras

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US – NY – New York

Bachelor’s required, Master’s preferred with a minimum of 2–3 years of statistical analysis work experience. Candidate should have experience with SQL, SPSS and STATA as well as strong Excel skills r…
Jul-14-2011 – save job – email – more

Durham Arts Council School Director

Durham Arts Council

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US – NC – Durham

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE The DAC School Director will be an individual with a minimum of 3 years proven experience in developing, implementing, managing, marketing, and evaluating adult and youth …
Jul-14-2011 – save job – email – more

Artist Services Manager

Durham Arts Council

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US – NC – Durham

Durham Arts Council, a leading arts agency in North Carolina, seeks Artist Services Manager. This position provides management, support and program development for the Office of Artist Services whic…
Jul-13-2011 – save job – email – more

Website and New Media Manager

Americans for the Arts

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US – DC

Your Leadership Skills • Support the mission and vision of Americans for the Arts by championing and inspiring the use of new and innovative technologies • Teach and guide staff about the possib…
Jul-12-2011 – save job – email – more

"Music & The Civil War": Next Week in The Art League Gallery!

July 15, 2011

Christian McWhirter, PhD in US History

Plenty of public panels and lectures have been given on the arts and on The Civil War; both crucial topic in our national rhetoric. But how are they related?

That’s exactly the question Christian McWhirter aims to answer in his upcoming seminar on July 23rd at 1pm in The Art League gallery. His focus will mainly be on music and its place in war-torn America in the mid-nineteenth century.

“I will focus on three main themes,” says McWhirter. “The high popularity of music during the war, the characters of the most prominent songs, and, most importantly, how people used these songs throughout the conflict.”

McWhirter got his doctorate in US History from the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa. His dissertation focused specifically on music during the Civil War era and how it affected culture and morale for the people living through it. Since graduating, he has written a book called The Power and Popularity of Music in the Civil War, being published this spring by The University of North Carolina Press. He currently works as an assistant editor for The Papers of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

His fascination with the era and its music stems from an interesting historical fact: “The Civil War was the first war fought to music,” he says. “Music was already an important part of American popular culture before the war but the heightened emotions and strong opinions fostered by the conflict inspired an unprecedented amount of song production and performance.” It’s a specific kind of song, however, that McWhiter says sets the era apart. It’s more what we would hear at a 4th of July celebration than at a wedding. “Although romantic and sentimental tunes were most prominent before the war, political and patriotic songs dominated the war years,” he says. “These songs were powerful ways to communicate ideas and influence listeners. Nineteenth-century Americans understood this and used music effectively and often throughout the conflict.”