Year: 2011

The Art League’s Monthly Plein Air Painting Event

Jack Dyer

Once a month on second Sunday mornings this summer, a group of painters can be seen setting up shop by the Alexandria waterfront. They pull out their easels, arrange the canvases, spread out their paints and brushes, and get to work immortalizing the beautiful scenery. 

Vicki Blum

This group of artists is known as The Art League Plein Air Painters. They came together for the first time this month with a common purpose: to share their talents, not only by documenting the breathtaking views, but also by letting the public experience their creative process as it unfolds. Patrons are welcome to stand by and watch the paintings come to life or to come back periodically and check in on the works-in-progress. So far, the event has drawn crowds from all over the area as people watch the masters at work, with some hoping to snag a few tricks of the trade. 

Jill Banks

The idea started with a meeting held by the Alexandria Waterfront Planning Committee. The Art League’s executive director, Linda Hafer, was asked to help liven up the water view spread in front of The Torpedo Factory Art Center by getting a few painters to start working outside. 

“The idea to breathe a little life into the neighborhood was going to be the undertaking of four different Alexandria groups,” says The Art League Gallery director Rose O’Donnell.

Those four groups included the Alexandria Archaeology and The Seaport Foundation, along with The Art League and The Torpedo Factory Art Center. The Art League’s contribution was the plein air display. 

Artists Sketching in the White Mountains by Winslow Homer

“Plein air” is French for “open air,” a practice which found a huge following among the impressionist artists of the 1870s. With the invention of tube paints and the box easel, which were easily portable, painters took their operations outside to capture nature on their canvases. Legends like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir were the most famous advocates of the practice, as several of their famed works were created outside, usually under a large white umbrella. 

 Yet with Monet and Renoir unavailable to lead The Art League’s outdoor movement, painter Jean Schwartz took over planning the monthly event. Last Thursday, she updated her official blog with a post about July’s plein air party, even showing off her work from the day. 

Jean Schwartz

“Last Sunday was the very first paint out of the Art League Plein Air painters.  There were four of us, Jill Banks, Vicki Blum, Jack Dyer and me.  We met on the dock behind the Torpedo Factory around 9:00 (Vicki wisely started earlier) and painted until noon.  It was HOT!  Thank goodness for my umbrella because the scene that interested me required I be in full sun and looking right into it. The brollie did its job and without it I would have fried.  Lots of sunblock and water also helped.”

From the Torpedo Factory Dock by Jean Schwartz

August’s event is scheduled for the 14th from 9am-noon on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is located at 155 North Union Street.

Events

We’re On DCist’s Agenda!





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.

News

Downtown Holiday Market 2011 Applications Now Open!



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.


News

Jobs Resources!



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

 – 

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

 – 

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

 – 

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

 – 

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

 – 

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

 Featured Job

Americans for the Arts

 – 

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





Artist Opportunities

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

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.”
Events

Christmas in July in Old Town

The 2nd Annual Christmas in July Celebration is taking place this weekend along Old Town’s Union Street and The Art League is once again participating! We’re selling our one-of-a-kind, hand painted Betsy Curry Collection ornaments at a special Christmas in July rate.

1 for $12.
2 for $20.
$1 from each sale will be donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Visit The Christmas Attic website for more information about events over the weekend!

News

Arts Opportunities!



Call for artists: SCRAP-DC
In partnership with The Center for Green Urbanism and the 9/11 Arts Project, SCRAP DC is opening an exhibition called “Making Meaning: Remember, Repurpose, Restore” to honor the 10th anniversary of 9/11.


Art will be accepted based on the display and interpretation of the theme, “making meaning” through creative reuse. Visit the SCRAP DC website for the application and details. Deadline in 7/25. Contact Karen by email, [email protected], or phone, (301) 830-8690, and Heather by email, [email protected], or phone, (703) 300-4057, with questions. 



Call for artists: Wilson 75
The brand-new Wilson High School is hosting an arts celebration on October 15th, 2011, and is looking for participating artists. Painters, potters, jewelry designers, textile artists, photographers, glassblowers, woodworkers and the like are invited to set up shop at the crafts fair or to make donations. 



Deadline is September 1rst, 2011. Visit the website for more information. 

Artist Opportunities

Free Legal Forum for Artists!



The Anacostia Community Museum will be holding a forum with the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA), called “Why Do I Need A Lawyer?”.
Common Legal Issues for Emerging and Existing Creative Businesses: 
Tuesday, September 13th at 7pm 
1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20002. 
Parking and admission is FREE!
These valuable panel discussions with Q&A sessions include a brief presentation on common issues and pitfalls attorneys regularly see with their creative business clients. Targeting both emerging and existing entrepreneurs, this event can help you protect your creative endeavor and watch it grow. Bring you pads, pens and plenty of questions for our legal experts. Co-sponsored by the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts.
Panelists include John Mason, JD; Jennifer Williston, JD; Larry Frazier, JD; and Ray Thomas, JD. Panel to be moderated by Rachelle V. Browne, JD, Associate General Counsel for the Smithsonian Institution.
News

Frances Borchardt is a hit!





The local media has fallen for Frances Borchardt and her photo-filled printer cases! And it’s no wonder; the pieces each invoke memories of Maryland, our neighbor to the north, with images of rustic farms, girls-next-door and Old Bay-dusted crabs, ready for crackin’. Even better, the antique wood of the cases has inspired more than a few gallery crawlers to remark “I have a few of these in my attic…never thought they could be so beautiful!” 

One such visitor was a reporter from WUSA Channel 9, who stopped by to interview Rose and Megan, the gallery directors. 





Borchardt’s show popped up on the radio pretty soon, too, as DC’s public radio station, WAMU 88.5, and their resident art reporter, Sean Rameswaram, caught wind of the pieces. Listen to the segment here. 

On June 6th, Northern Virginia Magazine previewed the collection for a feature article. Read the full piece here. 

Borchardt’s resume is about as DC as a photographer can get. She has worked as a photo editor for publications, non-profits and government bureaus such as The Nature Conservancy, The Chronicle for Higher Education, The Chronicle of Philanthropy and the US Chamber of Commerce. She studied photography at George Washington University, which solidified her love of the DMV region (standing for DC Maryland Virginia, if you’re not a local). The ode to Maryland nature, family life and tradition is apparent in her current show, attracting the area’s media with promises of local appeal. 


As the reviews pour in and the crowds form around the displays, a sense of urgency begins to build once the price stickers are viewed. The pieces are all under $1,000. With that dangerous mixture of accessibility and familiarity, Borchardt’s works might not be around for public viewing much longer. Make a date on your calendar and head for the waterfront (and maybe make a reservation at your favorite crab shack afterward…you’re going to want some)!
Exhibits

Art Opportunities!


One Life Photography Competition is seeking submissions for several prizes, magazine features and exhibitions. Deadline is July 29th. Prizes include a feature in PDN Magazine, a feature on “Artists Wanted,” a New York City exhibition and reception hosted during the Photo Plus Expo with 30,000 guests, your choice of a worldwide travel adventure or $10,000 cash, plus special cash prizes for each category, the People’s Choice Award and the Early Entry Award. Visit http://www.onelifephotos.com/?f=adl1 for more contest info.


The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) accepts artwork submissions year-round for its annual Expressions of Hopewall calendar. Cancer has a profound effect on all the lives it touches. We invite anyone who has been affected by cancer – patients, friends, families, caregivers – to share their emotions through art and inspire hope in others.
Artwork Specifications
  • Artwork for the 2011-2012 calendar must be submitted by August 31, 2011. Artwork submitted after this date will be considered for future calendars.

  • Artwork must not have been previously published.

  • Artwork may be submitted on paper or canvas any size up to 16” x 20”. Horizontal images are encouraged. If you have a non-horizontal image, please note that it will need to be cropped to accommodate the calendar layout.

  • If your artwork has already been scanned or photographed or if your artwork was originally electronic, please send your highest-resolution tiff file on a CD along with your artwork.

  • Photography submitted will need to be able to accommodate 9 5/8” x 7 1/4” at 300dpi to be included in the 2011-2012 calendar.

  • Artwork must be one dimensional. Mediums may include but are not limited to oil, watercolor, charcoals, acrylics, pencil, pen and ink, crayon, etc.

  • All artwork will be returned. ASCO cannot be responsible for any damages incurred during shipment.
Please complete and submit the artwork submission form with your official entry. There is no fee to submit artwork. You can also view artwork submitted to ASCO as part of previous calendars.
To request a copy of the Expressions of Hope calendar, send an email to [email protected].

OTHER ART OPPORTUNITIES (from our friends at Find Art Info Bank)



Call for entries: Asking and Telling – NM



Deadline: July 15, 11. It has been a year of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell; “It gets better;” and civil rights battles for gay marriage. Share your story. “Asking and Telling: Visual art and writing about coming out, or being forced out, of the closet.” Please submit images (up to 15) or short written works, along with a statement linking the specific work to the show’s theme. Submissions must be post-marked by Friday July 15th. Send to: LGBTQ Exhibit @ The Harwood, 1114 7th Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. You may also submit to [email protected]. Note: We have no money budgeted for shipping pieces of visual art. If you are out of state and interested in submitting, please contact us: (505) 242-6367. Shipping writing samples may prove less of a challenge.

The Nature of Trees – VT



Deadline: August 22, 11. Trees are essential to our well-being in so many ways. They produce oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide. They provide shelter and keep soil from eroding. We build our houses from them, read books printed on the paper they provide. And they nourish our hearts as beautiful elements of the landscape and metaphors for life. PhotoPlace Gallery is honored that Sean Kernan will serve as the juror for the exhibition “The Nature of Trees.” For this juried exhibition Sean will choose forty photographs featuring trees in any form for exhibition at PhotoPlace Gallery from October 11 to November 5. He will also choose an additional thirty-five photos for the gallery’s “Online Annex.” All selected work will be included in a full-color exhibition catalogue available for purchase. To help artists defray costs, PhotoPlace Gallery offers to mat and frame work selected for exhibition free of charge. Submission fee: $25 for 5 photos. For details visitwww.vtphotoworkplace.com.

Hoyt Mid Atlantic Juried Exhibition – PA



Deadline: July 30, 11. HOYT MID ATLANTIC JURIED ART EXHIBITION held October 1 – 28, 2011. Open to artists 21 and over living in the Mid Atlantic States: DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, W.VA, and Washington DC working in 2D and 3D media. Cash prizes of $1,500. Entry by slide or digital images on CD. Entry fee. Juror: Phil Alexandre, President of Alexandre Fine Art Inc. which operates Alexandre Gallery in Manhattan. For a prospectus: http://hoytartcenter.org/for-artists/mid-atlantic-competition/ or call 724-652-2882, Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, New Castle, PA 16101.

Heads, Shoulders, Genes & Toes: FSU Museum of Fine Arts – FL 



Deadline: August 10, 11.  An evolving collaboration between the College of Visual Arts, Theatre & Dance and the College of Medicine has brought Professor Judith Rushin, guest curator from the Department of Art, to her research for “Heads, Shoulders, Genes & Toes.” The exhibition will contain works by artists who explore the intersection of art and human biology where scientific advances raise issues of cultural, political and technological significance through work that is editorial, thought provoking, and sometimes infused with humor. All works in 2 and 3-D, performance, installation, and video will be considered. Open to artists 18+ with all media eligible for consideration. To apply visit the FSU MoFA website: http://www.mofa.fsu.edu/pages/participate/calls.shtml

9/11 Memorial Show (All ages welcome) International Fiber Collaborative, Inc – NY



Deadline: August 15, 2011. Location: NYC, venue: TBA. Show: September 2011. Artwork Due: August 15, 2011. Sign up at: www.thedreamrocket.com. This exhibit is part of the Dream Rocket project, a massive public art project happening at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. The designated theme of submissions, “Dare to Dream”, challenges individuals to expand beyond the present state of the world and imagine the future. Perhaps most importantly, individuals are challenged to imagine their contribution to that future. These individual dreams & aspirations will combine to create a monumental 32,000 sq ft work art, providing a tangible demonstration of the beauty of individuals collaborating to meet universal challenges. Submissions are also being placed on display in national & international venues up until the time the Saturn V is wrapped, to date, 42 shows have been organized.

North East Watercolor Society Open Juried Exhibition – CT 



Deadline: July 17, 2011. The North East Watercolor Society announces a call to artists for an international juried exhibition, Oct 23-Nov 6 at The Gallery at Kent Art Association in Kent, CT. Awards: $8000 est. Juror: Jean Uhl Spicer. Open to original watermedia completed in the last 3 yrs. Entry Fee: 1/$25 or 2/$40. Visit website for prospectus at http://www.northeastws.com, or send a SASE to: Richard Price, 866 Cadosia Rd, Hancock, NY 13783. Questions? Please contact Richard Price at [email protected] or call 607-637-3412.

Women and Water Rights: Concerning Water Exhibition – WI



Deadline March 1, 2012. Dates June 15-July 22, 2012. At The Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI. Juried by a committee of artists from the original show at the Katherine Nash Gallery on the University of Minnesota Campus, 2010. Website: womenandwater.net. Concerning Water is a juried exhibition on the theme of women and water issues designed to provide visibility for innovative work that addresses the issues of water rights global and/or local. Exhibition will include work from the original exhibition and work selected from the call. Up to 3 submissions. All media. Hand delivered and Pickup of art. Virtual Submission: In addition accepting digital submissions for a virtual exhibit. Also short films not more than 3 minutes. More information, for submission details and form, contact Teri Power[email protected], Barb Bend, [email protected].

Eye of the Beholder: The Fine Art of the Found Object – MD



Deadline: August 28, 2011. October 30 – November 26, 2011. Enter online at www.mdfedart.org or send your CD to the address below. Eligible: 2D/3D original work created with one or more found objects incorporated. Juror: Janet Maher, Associate Professor at Loyola University Maryland. Cash awards $1000. One-two entries $35 (MFA members $20), additional entries $5 each, up to 6 entries total. US and Canada residence. Exhibited at Maryland Federation of Art’s, Circle Gallery, Annapolis MD. Prospectus: Send SASE: Found Object, 18 State Circle, Annapolis MD 21401. Download: www.mdfedart.org; Email: [email protected]

The 22nd Drawing Show Residue Call for applications: Boston Center for the Arts – MA



Deadline: August 15,11. Since 1979 the Drawing Show has been a widely anticipated hallmark of the BCA’s programming. This juried exhibition has allowed the BCA to work with more than 500 artists and over 20 guest curators from across the country. Proposals are welcome from all artists and designers who explore drawing as a medium in their work. October 14 – November 27, 2011. Steve Holmes, Guest Curator. For additional information, visit: http://www.bcaonline.org/visualarts/mills-gallery/upcoming-exhibitions/call-for-applications.html; http://www.bcaonline.org

human ~ a national juried exhibition – IL



Deadline: October 15, 11. This National Juried Exhibition is open to all artists, living or working in the US. Work must be original. All media except video and installation are eligible. Sculpture is encouraged. No size restrictions. Each artist may submit up to 3 pieces for the entry fee of $30. The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago will purchase at least one piece from the exhibition for inclusion into the school’s Permanent Collection. The collection is diverse and can be viewed online at gallery180.com. The Purchase Award/s will be selected by committee and will be announced at the opening reception. All submitted works must be for sale. The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago will retain a 50% commission from all purchases made during the exhibition. A portion of the commission will be donated to Heartland Alliance for their work in Human Rights. The exhibition will be highly publicized. A color exhibition catalog will be produced to help promote sales. prospectus@gallery180.com 

Ann Arbor Justice Center – MI 



Deadline: September 1, 11. The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission is seeking submission of qualifications of artists to be considered to create artwork for permanent display. The public artwork will be installed in the main lobby of the new Ann Arbor Justice Center, 301 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The location of the work will be in the southwest corner of the lobby. The building houses the 15th Judicial District Court and the Ann Arbor Police Services. Budget for the artwork is a maximum of $150,000.00 and is dependent on the proposal, the recommendation of the commission, and Ann Arbor City Council. A Statement of Qualifications is due September 1st, 2011. The Request for Qualifications can be downloaded at the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission webpage, here: http://bit.ly/maXJTV. Qualifications: Quality and strength of work, experience, experience with artwork of the type requested, references.

Call for Artists: “Innovations” – NY



Deadline: Deadline: November 7, 2011. The State University of New York at Cortland announces a call to artists for a group exhibition at the Dowd Gallery, January 18–March 2, 2012. Open to all artists nationally and internationally, to submit work for consideration that represents innovation in concept, subject or media use. All work must be the original work of the applicant, suitable for gallery installation. Full color publication produced. Juried by committee of 5-9 professional artists. No entrance fee. Artists are responsible for shipping fees.  Selected artists may be invited for a subsequent short term visiting artist program with undergraduate studio art students including presentation of work, discussion and studio visit. The selected artist will receive a stipend of $1000 for his/her time and travel expenses. For more information contact Bryan Thomas at [email protected] or visit the gallery website at http://www2.cortland.edu/dowd-gallery




Artist Opportunities

Sneak Peek at Our New Show!

Frances Borchardt’s work is in and our assistant gallery director, Megan, is putting together the new show (which opens tomorrow)! 


Megan works on the wall label while the pieces get ready for their close-ups.





We thought our fans would appreciate a first look at Borchardt’s photo albums-turned-mosaics, laid out in printer’s cases. 

Newly-hung and ready to show!
It wouldn’t be Maryland without crabs.
Scenes of the summer shore.
Lining up a wall decal is an art form all its own…
Megan demonstrates ladder safety while perfecting the display.
Voila! See you all in the gallery soon!


Exhibits

Arts Funding In Trouble Again!

Once again, the arts are up against a fight to prove their worth in society. Luckily, it’s a situation well-worn and therefore well-anticipated. Arts advocates are prepared with a statement and a call to action. A little message from Americans for the Arts!



Once again, the budget of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is facing cuts. This morning, a U.S. House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee began the funding cycle for Fiscal Year 2012 by approving legislation to fund the NEA at $135.2 million, which is a reduction of $20 million from the current year. If enacted, it would be the deepest cut to the NEA in 16 years. Please take two minutes to send a customizable message to your member of Congress calling on them to reject these funding cuts.
 
This budget proposal is disappointing, represents a disproportionate cut, and appears counter-productive to the stated objectives of growing American jobs.
 
This proposed cut to the NEA is 13 percent below the current funding level, while overall funding in the bill, which includes agencies like the EPA, Interior Department and the U.S. Forest Service, is reduced by only 7 percent. As Americans for the Arts stated during the contentious FY 2011 budget consideration earlier this year, the arts community recognizes the shared sacrifice being asked of all federal agencies to help reduce our national debt and it is willing to do its part.
The arts sector has proven to be resilient as a growth industry and a strong contributor to the economy. NEA dollars are a critical lifeline in helping state and local budgets survive as philanthropic dollars are dwindling. This drastic reduction does not take into account the incredible return on investment those funds generate to federal, state and local treasuries.
 
It is expected that the House Appropriations Committee will consider this legislation next week, and the full House of Representatives may consider it before the August recess. A message from you now registering your concerns with your member of Congress would be well-timed to arrive prior to these next steps in the appropriations process.


News

Painting & Sculpture: A Week in Thomas, WV

Sign up to spend a week in Thomas, West Virginia studying with renowned artists Danni Dawson, Mike Francis, and Paul Lucchesi.

The quaint and quirky town of Thomas is the perfect backdrop and retreat for a week of intense artistic creation. Focus on landscape and still life painting with Danni and Mike, or sculpt with Paul. Feel free to focus on one style and medium or to switch freely between working two and three dimensionally.

Lunch will be provided each day, prepared by Danni and Paul – both of whom are gourmet cooks.

Lodging and transportation are not provided. We recommend staying at the Blackwater Falls State Park, which is lovely and only five miles from downtown Thomas.


Dates: August 8-12, 2011 OR August 29-September 2,2011.
Tuition: $495. Does not include lodging or transportation. Lunch each day is included.
For more info and to register, visit school.theartleague.org

Travel Workshops

Summer Art Camp!

How cute is this?! This is the design on our 2011 Art Camp t-shirts, designed by one of our school staffers 🙂 There’s still space in our summer art camp for kids, so go and sign your little ones up! It’s super fun – the whole staff would sneak away to art camp if we could 🙂

Art Classes

New Sculpture Camp Added!





This special, last-minute addition to the summer camp roster is all about sculpture! The diversity of clay and other media is the focus of this camp on the third dimension. All materials are provided.

Is your child yearning for something new? Art camp provides a wonderful way of introducing children to several forms of visual art. In our basic art camp, each day brings a new project which may include drawing, painting, printmaking, or sculpture. In specialty camps, the focus is on immersing the children in one media. Camps come in whole and half day sessions over a 3-5 day week. Tuition for all-day camps includes a supervised lunch hour. Create your own all-day session by combining a basic camp with a media specialty camp. When creating your own all-day session, there is an additional $35 per week charge for the supervised lunch hour. Campers in any all-day session should bring their own lunch for the midday break.  


July 5th-8th, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
$150
Ages 5-7

Visit The Art League School website to register and get more info. 
Art Classes

Exhibit and Arts Opportunities!






Exhibit Opportunities: Greenbelt, MD

 


1) The Community Center Art Gallery 
15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770

The gallery on the first floor of the Community Center is the program’s primary exhibition space. Shows are typically on view 5-6 weeks. Exhibitions feature both established and emerging artists with original, thought provoking work of professional quality. Community engagement is central to the mission of the Community Center Art Gallery. Local, national and international artists who are interested in leading one or more paid, hands-on workshops in conjunction with their show will be given first consideration. The gallery, formerly a classroom, is a multi-use space which supports a dynamic presence for contemporary art in community life. The space is shared throughout the week, hosting a variety of groups and meetings, creating a unique opportunity to engage diverse, new gallery viewers of all ages. The gallery is accessible to the public Monday through Saturday, 9am to 10pm and Sunday from 9am to 7pm, whenever the space is not reserved.

2) Greenbelt Aquatic and Fitness Center
101 Centerway, Greenbelt, MD 20770
The Greenbelt Recreation Department presents displays of 2-dimensional fine art at this venue. Artwork remains on display for a minimum of 3 months. The Greenbelt Aquatic and Fitness Center is the city’s most highly-visble indoor display space, with annual admissions exceeding 150,000. The space is accessible to the public Monday-Friday from 6am -10pm and Saturday-Sunday from 8am to 9:30pm.


How to Apply
Submissions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Submit materials for either space, or for more information write:[email protected] or mail to the Community Center, 15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD. 20770 Attention: Nicole DeWald, Arts Supervisor. Please include the following:

  • Letter of introduction commenting on your work and concepts for a visually and conceptually unified exhibition
  • Which of the above venue(s) are of interest to you
  • Images of your work– CD, DVD, or link to website
  • Artist’s resume
  • A proposal for related workshop for youth, teens or adults is not required, but highly recommended









Deadline extended to June 1: Artists and crafters are invited to apply to the Alexandria West End Art and Wine Festival 2011. The Festival is scheduled forOctober 8-9, 2011 along public streets in the Cameron Station subdivision and ajoining areas of Ben Brenman Park, located in Alexandria, VA. Details atwww.westendeventproductions.com or contact: Donna Kenley 703.887.7288.



















Mural Artist(s) Needed: 

A group of concerned citizens working to improve Warwick Pool in Del Ray is looking for students/local artists to paint a mural inside the bath house at the pool. Visit www.friendsofwarwickpool.org or contact [email protected] if interested.
Artist Opportunities

Art Teachers Volunteers Wanted for Summer Camp





Volunteer to Teach Art at Casa Chirilagua in Arlandria this Summer!

This summer program offers educational programs to Latino children living in the Chirilagua neighborhood of Arlandria. This year, they are setting up an Art Studio component and they need volunteers to help teach! Volunteers will teach various media, help the kids cultivate their creativity, and help give them a way to express themselves. They ask for a one week commitment, and classes are taught in the mornings. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering, please contact Janice Philips, 703-678-8394, [email protected].

News

Day-Long State Tour with The Art League!

Leuchtenberg Diamond Tiara,1900
Briolette, pear-shaped and old-cut diamonds, gold, platinum
Arthur and Dorothy McFerrin Collection © C & M Photographers

The Art League is gearing up for a day trip! On August 18th, we’re taking registered guests to Richmond to see “Faberge’ Revealed.” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and then to Petersburg, Virginia to see the “Tiffany Windows” in Old Blandford Church. 

Imperial Peter the Great Easter Egg, 1903
Egg: gold, platinum, diamonds, rubies, enamel, sapphire, watercolor, ivory, rock crystal
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Bequest of Lillian Thomas Pratt. Photo: Katherine Wetzel  


Star Frame, 1896
Gold, enamel, pearls, glass, ivory
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.  Bequest of Lillian Thomas Pratt. Photo: Katherine Wetzel 

The Faberge’ exhibit, which opens July 9 at the VMFA in Richmond, will feature the largest collection of Faberge’ on public view in the United States, totaling more than 500 objects.


Imperial Napoleonic Egg, 1912
Gold, enamel, diamonds, platinum, ivory velvet, silk
Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation Collection

The Russian jeweler Karl Faberge’, considered to be one of the most famous jewelers of all time, crafted objects for the families of the last two tsars of Russia and for most of Europe’s nobility. Faberge’s creations are crafted from gold, platinum, diamonds and rubies, as well as other precious metals and gemstones. He is best known for his Imperial Easter eggs. VMFA’s collection is the largest public collection of Faberge’ in this country and includes five Russian Imperial Easter eggs. Only 50 were ever created by this most talented artist. The exhibit installation will allow for a 360-degree view of each Imperial egg. Other objects on exhibit, include the Empress Josephine Tiara, the Lilies of the Valley Basket, enameled picture frames and clocks, gold cigarette cases and cane tops, ruby studded brooches and boxes and hardstone animals and flowers in rock crystal vases.





Following lunch, at the museum’s Best Café (on your own) and time to visit the book/gift shop, you will continue on to Petersburg, VA to view the Tiffany Windows of the Old Blandford Church. Jimmy Powers, internationally known stained glass artist and Art League instructor, will be your guide. Originally built in 1735, restoration began in 1901 to turn this little church into a Confederate Memorial Chapel. Louis Comfort Tiffany was commissioned to design 15 memorial stained glass windows, one for each of the 15 Confederate States to honor its soldiers. The first four magnificent windows were unveiled in 1904.




Trip includes: coffee and breakfast snacks prior to departure, entrance with audio guide tour to Faberge’ show, time to visit and explore the museum gift shop, entrance to Old Blandford Church with guide, and round-trip bus transportation.

Day trip price: $85 for members and benefactors. $95 for non-members. 

For additional information, or reservations, please contact Margaret Cerutti at [email protected] 703-683-1780 x 13

Travel Workshops

London Fever at The Art League!

The Art League Travel Workshop, London Through the Eyes of the Artist: An Art History/Sketching Workshop with Robert Liberace, recently returned from London, where they were immersed in a culture of art, over-the-top headwear and of course, royal wedding mania! 


Travel workshop coordinator Margaret Cerutti said the mission as a whole was to study John Singer Sargent and his life’s work. His studio was on the famed culture hub of Tite Street, where famous creative legends like Oscar Wilde and James McNeill Whistler also lived. 


“We got to visit Sargent’s studio, which is privately owned now,” says Cerutti. “It is still in use today, by special request. Nelson Shanks used it while painting the official portraits of Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher.”


The London stop was one of four cities planned during this particular The Art League travel series, “Through the Eyes of the Artist,” which also includes art staples Venice, Florence, and Rome. Rob Liberace, a popular artist and instructor at The Art League School, leads all four international trips; an idea which formed due to some unusual circumstances. “Rob had to miss class sometimes,” says Cerutti. “He had a lot of obligations and duties come up, but he always made it up to the students by taking them to the National Gallery.” As Liberace led his pupils around the halls, lovingly pointing out his favorite works of art and explaining what they meant to him, the group mysteriously got bigger and bigger throughout the visit. “We always ended up with about 50 other people following us around!” she laughed. “I thought that with his passion for art and teaching, he would be the perfect person to lead these trips. He makes the work come alive.”


London was chosen as one of the four stops because of its ancient architecture, storied past and bursting arts culture. But when the trip was planned months back, the staff didn’t foresee a crucial event in the making for England’s history: the royal wedding. “It was everywhere,” says Cerutti. “Every store had souvenirs, the restaurants were advertising chalkboard specials to served only on that day, and even bone china was available to celebrate it!” But the most amazing spectacle was the array of headwear. “Not only was the wedding coming up, but the Queen’s birthday was that week. All of the women were wearing these hats out of respect for the Queen.”


Needless to say, Cerutti came home with a bit of hat fever. Lucky for her, Jan Wutkowski, world-famous milliner, just arrived in Alexandria to teach a workshop for The Art League School. Cerutti signed up and spent the weekend constructing a wide-brimmed hat out of plaid and black silk. “I’m hoping it will match my winter coat,” says Cerutti. “Because that’s when I think it will be done!”

For more information on The Art League’s Art Travel Workshops, please click here.

Travel Workshops

Call for Entries: Eye of the Beholder



The Maryland Federation of Art is accepting entries for “Eye of the Beholder: The Fine Art of the Found Object”. 


All US and Canada-residing artists are welcome to enter their found art works into this juried competition by August 24, 2011. Chosen art will be exhibited at MFA’s Circle Gallery in Annapolis from October 30th-November 26, 2011. Entry fee is $35 ($20 for MFA members). Visit the online prospectus for more info! 
Artist Opportunities

Some Not-So-Local But Awesome Artist Opportunities!

Big thanks to our friends at FIND ART info bank for this research!!!


The Global Perspective: Understanding the Past, Looking to the Future



DEADLINE:  September16th, 2011

Worcester State University is pleased to announce a Call to Artists for our first post-renovation show opening October 20th and on view until December 1, 2011. The phrase “global village” was coined by Marshall McLuhan over 40 years ago, but the meaning of that phrase has evolved in ways he could not have imagined. We invite work by artists that reflects the impact of living in a time when we are still connected to the past and our local identities, but we feel the effects of economies, cultures, and people in remote corners of the planet. What are the benefits and costs of our global connections? How do the lessons of the industrial revolution affect our future? What is the fate of a city like Worcester, with its in the industrial revolution, as it tries to redefine itself? How does the past continue to shape our present? Are we on the cusp of utopian opportunities or dystopian devolution? This show solicits work in any medium that engages with any of these themes. ADDRESS: Worcester State University Gallery, 486 Chandler St., Worcester MA 01602. ENTRY FEE: $25 per 3 entries, $5 for each entry beyond 3 entries. JURIED SHOW, PRIZES AWARDED. Seewww.worcester.edu/gallery for complete submission guidelines. 






Call for Photographers – Water’s Edge



Deadline: June 7, 2011 

Open to Interpretation is a juried book competition of photography, poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. Each book begins with a themed call for photos. The chosen photos become the literary inspiration for the writers’ submissions. A book is created that matches each winning photo with two stories or poems that offer different interpretations of the image. The unique collaboration adds new dimensions to both the photos and the written word. Theme: Water’s Edge. Juror: Douglas Beasley, Photographer and Educator. Early Submission Fee: $30 for 5 images, $10 each additional. Deadline for early submission: April 26, 2011. Submission Fee: $35 for 5 images, $10 each additional. Awards: $300 Juror’s Selection Award. Submit entries online atwww.open2interpretation.com

 




Irene Rosenzweig 2011 Biennial Exhibition

Deadline: Sept. 30, 2011 

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff is seeking entries for the Irene Rosenzweig 2011 Biennial Exhibition. The Rozenzweig juried show has a long history with the Arts & Science Center. Many prize-winning artworks from past exhibitions are part of the Center’s permanent collection. The exhibition will be on display from December 2, 2011 through February 4, 2012. Entries with CD-R images are due by September 30. A Call for Entries form is available on the Center’s website:http://artssciencecenter.org/galleries/rosenzweig.html For additional information contact: Howard DaLee Spencer, Curator of Visual Art The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas 701 Main Street Pine Bluff, AR 71601 870-536-3375 [email protected] 






Americas 2011: All Media



Deadline: June 1, 2011

 Works in any medium, traditional or experimental, qualify. All works must be original and not measure over 60 inches in any direction. Work must be ready to exhibit, completed within the last two years, and not previously exhibited in an Americas 2000 exhibition. Two-dimensional work should be framed and protected by clear acrylic glazing. Prospectus: http://www.minotstateu.edu/nac/2xxx.shtml






Postcard Art Competition & Exhibition 2011



Deadline: July 11, 2011 

Now accepting entries for traveling exhibition, featuring works in the four-by-six-inch postcard size. Art in any 2D medium reproducible by photographic process is acceptable, as is 3D work with a depth no greater than three-eighths of an inch. Open to artists 18 and up. The top 12 entries will receive cash prizes and all submitted art will be eligible to participate in an art sale. Thirty-six winning artworks will be included in an exhibit that opens in fall of 2011 at the Lake County Discovery Museum, near Chicago, then travel to various galleries and cultural institutions for one year. Entry fee of $20 for up to 3 entries. $5 for each additional entry. Download prospectus at www.lcfpd.org/PACE, call 847.968.3381 or email [email protected].






Science and Math-based Art Contest



Deadline: July 31, 2011 

Get Creative. Take a little science, some math, turn it into a cool piece of art and you could win part of $3000 in cash prizes. Winning submissions may have their art placed on public display in the new Los Alamos Creative District as part of LA’s new Outdoor Science and Math Art walk. All participating artists will be recognized at Los Alamos’ Next Big Idea: Festival of Discovery, Invention, and Innovation, September 2011. Prospectus: http://www.nextbigideala.com/science-math-based-art-contest.htm

A Sense of Place 2011



Deadline: June 3, 2011

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is pleased to announce its 2011 juried fine art competition, A Sense of Place. Open to participants from throughout the United States, this 31st annual event seeks to recognize the outstanding quality and diversity of work being generated by contemporary American artists. Open to all U.S. artists ages 18 and older working in the following media: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media. Cash awards totalling $1,750 available. Prospectus:http://www.ghia.org/events.php

SculptFest 2011 Call to Artists



Deadline: July 22, 2011

The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center (CSSC) is now accepting proposals for SculptFest 2011, Forces of Nature for installation, site specific and performance arts projects. The curator, artist Rick Rothrock, will select 10 artists to create outdoor installations responsive to the post-industrial marble-quarrying environment where CSSC is located. Artists are invited to submit proposals to include a 1-2 page project description, sketches or other visual representations, a resume, an artist statement (optional), up to 10 images of previous site-specific work (.jpg format on CD), and a SASE for the return of materials, if desired. Submissions should be addressed to SculptFest 2011, Carving Studio & Sculpture Center, P.O. Box 495, West Rutland, VT 05777. For inquiries, call (802) 438-2097 or email [email protected]. Website: http://www.carvingstudio.org 






2012 Materials Hard & Soft, National Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition



Deadline: September 9, 2011

2012 Materials Hard & Soft, National Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition sponsored by the Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, Texas, February 3 – March 30, 2012.  Eligible Media: clay, fiber, glass, metal, paper, wood, or any combination of craft media. U.S. residents. Juror: Monica Moses, ed. American Craft. Entry fee: $30. Awards: $5000. More info: http://dentonarts.com OR 940.382.2787 OR[email protected]. Prospectus: http://dentonarts.com/events/PDF/MaterialsHS_2012.pdf 






Going Green



Deadline: June 10, 2011

Crossing Art & Queens Council on the Arts. Crossing Art is seeking submissions for “Going Green” a juried group exhibition of local and international artists that will be on view at Crossing Art from August 13 – September 11, 2011. From the artists chosen for the “Going Green” exhibition, 2 artists will be selected to have a solo exhibition at Crossing Art in 2012 and have the option to participate in the Crossing Art Artist Residency Program in Nanjing, China. “Going Green” will present innovative artworks and proposals that integrate natural systems with human patterns while celebrating continuity, uniqueness and place making. We are looking for local and international artists, architects, and designers to submit artworks that explore contemporary meanings of “green” or proposals for sculptures, architectural models and design that fit in green development public spaces. Crossing Art (NEW YORK), visit www.crossingart.com or contact Jennifer Junkermeier at [email protected]for additional info. 







Call for Entries for Fall 2011 Exit Gallery Exhibitions



Deadline: July 15, 2011 

The Exit Gallery is a student-run art gallery on the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman and is now accepting applications for exhibitions during the fall 2011 semester. If accepted you will have the opportunity to show your artwork in a two-week solo show with paid advertising and reception. This opportunity to expose your work to MSU and the Bozeman community is open to artists working in any media from anywhere in the world (applicants need not be MSU students or even from Montana). For an application please email[email protected] or call 406.994.1828. 






Stop & Go 3-D



Deadline: November 15, 2011

Stop & Go is a program of innovative stop-motion animations by contemporary visual artists and filmmakers, touring and screening internationally since 2008. The program showcases animations that use stop-motion techniques to explore visual language, tell stories and make poignant social commentaries. New animation work is being sought for the third installment of the program called Stop & Go 3-D. The program will screen hand-rendered stereoscopic and anaglyphic experiments that explore traditional 3-D animation produced using stop-motion. Animations that experiment with geometrical elements, pieces that are highly optical or those that comment on the current 3-D craze will also be reviewed. Please note that stop-motion techniques must constitute a significant portion of the work. Both narrative and experimental works will be accepted to this program. The audience will view most of the show through bi-colored red and blue spectacles. Visit www.stopandgoshow.comfor more information. 






UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights Global Art Competition



Deadline is July 30, 2011 

Contemplate all human life with inspiration and compassion. How would you create an image of….respecting vulnerable people? You are invited to creatively interpret the ethical ideals of respecting cultural diversity and inspiring compassion to all human life. Eleven winning pieces will exhibit in Houston and New York culminating in Rome in conjunction with UNESCO’s Multi-Culturalism and Religion Workshop and Conference on Human Vulnerability October 9-11, 2011. $5,000 Best of Show, $500 to 10 additional winners. $25 per entry. All information is on the website, www.bioethicsart.org

The Good Design Awards 2011



Deadline: July 1, 2011

The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd. present the Museum’s annual Good Design Awards Program for the most innovative and cutting-edge industrial, product, and graphic designs produced around the world. Now in its 60th year, Good Design is the oldest and the most prestigious Awards Program organized worldwide. Annually, designers and manufactures in over 30 nations have been honored for their singular achievements in producing hallmarks of contemporary design. Submissions to the program are judged by a jury of distinguished design professionals and leading industry specialists and design press on criteria established in the original 1950 program for the highest aesthetic in terms of innovative design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility, and energy efficiency, and sensitivity to the environment. Submissions are accepted in two formats: Product Design and Graphic Design. Anything produced and/or designed worldwide from January 2009 to the present is eligible. All submitted products and graphics must have been produced by a client or scheduled for production. In this year’s edition, selected products and graphics for Good Design are announced to the international press in December. The awarded products and graphics are accessioned into the Museum’s permanent design collection.  For more information, visit:http://www.graphiccompetitions.com/graphic-design/the-good-design-awards-2011
Artist Opportunities

Video Demo: A Still Life Created Before Your Very Eyes!

Even in a quick visit to The Art League School’s still life painting class, one can learn so much. Instructor Kurt Schwarz demonstrated the basics of creating a still life portrait in roughly twenty minutes; he makes it look so easy!

“Self Portrait” by Kurt Schwarz

Here, in an edited 2+ minute composition, we see the process used by Schwarz for his own work and what he passes down to his students. 

For more information about this or other classes at The Art League School, visit the website. 
Art Classes