We’re kicking off our 60th Anniversary year on January 9 during the opening reception for “Abstract Expressionism Revisited” – the first exhibit in our 60th Anniversary exhibition series. The works selected for this exhibit will honor the artwork created during the great 1950s Abstract Expressionist movement, the decade when The Art League was established.
The beginnings of a giant community canvas will be unveiled during the evening, and we need your help to complete the installation!
Art League instructor Scott Hutchison conceived the idea for “Our Community Canvas” – a growing installation of 600 black and white, large puzzle pieces that will come together on the back wall of The Art League Gallery throughout the month of January. Everyone is welcome to come by the Gallery on the ninth or any day in January to contribute to the project by designing a piece of the canvas. We invite everyone to share their contribution on Instagram with the hashtag #TALCommunityCanvas.
Bowls by the Torpedo Factory artists of Hollin Hills studio.
January 18, you can warm up with some soup and support a worthy cause at the same time.
Every year, the potters of the Torpedo Factory donate soup bowls for Souper Saturday, a fundraiser that supports United Community Ministries, which provides a wide variety of services to Northern Virginia families including transitional housing, after-school programs, and a food bank.
For $20, you can get a bowl of soup — clam chowder generously provided by Chart House — and a handmade bowl by a Torpedo Factory artist. Souper Saturday is coming up January 18, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Torpedo Factory (105 N. Union St. in Alexandria).
Text-Tile by Eric Vahouny from the June 2013 “(CON)text” exhibit.
Don’t miss these events in the Gallery! We’ll be holding a workshop on writing artist statements and a lecture on Abstract Expressionism.
Space is limited, so please contact the Gallery to sign up.
Art*iculation with David Hazard
Saturday, January 11, 2013, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
David Hazard joins us again to present “Painting with Words,” his popular workshop on writing an artist statement. Hazard is a professional writing coach and publishing consultant who has worked with artists for more than 25 years, helping them to communicate more effectively. This workshop is free to Art League members. Please register by calling 703-683-1780 or e-mailing [email protected].
Dr. Claudia Rousseau on Abstract Expressionism
Thursday, January 23, 1:00 pm
In conjunction with our Abstract Expressionism Revisited exhibit, join us for a free presentation on this important artistic movement and the artists working both locally and nationally during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Dr. Rousseau received her Ph.D. in Art History from Columbia University. She currently is a professor of Art History and Montgomery College. She has written extensively on Italian Renaissance art and Modern Art. Rousseau often curates and juries exhibits. She juried for The Target Gallery in April 2013 and was a solo juror for The Art League in October 2012.
Sunday, January 5 is the last chance to see the amazing works created by the Injured Military Personal from Ft. Belvoir in our IMPART Ceramics Exhibit. Join us for the closing reception from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Gallery!
It’s going to be a big year for The Art League — 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of our founding in 1954. Those first exhibits took place in furniture stores and on sidewalks, but today, we have a permanent home in the Torpedo Factory and a host of staff and volunteers committed to creating the best exhibition opportunities we can.
To celebrate the 60th, a series of group shows in 2014 will revisit major art movements of the past six decades. Each exhibit has a theme, and we’ll be working our way from the fifties through to the present day over the course of the year. Artists are encouraged to reflect on these periods of art history in their submissions. Works not specifically fitting the theme will be considered by jurors, but will not be eligible for awards.
Here’s what visitors and artists have to look forward to this year. (Please note that dates later in the year may change — check our website for any updates.)
Red Spot, tapestry, by Art League instructor Tea Okropiridze
Abstract Expressionism Revisited (January 8–February 3): the first in the 60th anniversary series. Juror: Anne Marchand. Reception: Thursday, January 9.
Solo Preview 2014 (January 9–23): See works from each of the nine solo artists in 2014.
Patrons’ Show (February 5–16): This year’s drawing is Sunday, February 16. Tickets go on sale (online only) January 18.
Student/Faculty Show (February 19–March 2): Students and instructors from The Art League School share the artwork they’ve made in all media. Reception: March 2.
ColorField (March 12–April 7): Revisiting the Washington Color School. Juror: Timothy App, professor of art at MICA. Reception: Thursday, March 13.
15th Biennial Ikebana Show (March 6–9): A special collaboration with the Washington, DC branch of The Sogetsu School of Ikebana. This exhibit couples the art of Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) with art and vessels by Art League artists. Reception: March 6.
Eric McCollum, “The Cocoon Series” (March 13–April 9): Black-and-white photographs exploring the human form.
Pop Art (April 9–May 5): Continuing the 60th anniversary series. Juror: Robin Nicholson, VMFA Deputy Director. Reception: Thursday, April 10.
Natalie Shudt, “Sway” (April 10–May 5): Flowing botanical forms made from silk, steel, and wood grow out of the floor and wall.
The Feminist Movement in Art (May 7–June 2): Paying tribute to the female artists of the 1970s. Juror: Amanda Jiron-Murphy, Gallery Director at the Hamiltonian. Reception: Thursday, May 8.
May All-Media Exhibit (May 7–June 2): A juried exhibit of artwork by Art League members. Juror: Mira Hecht.
Courtney Hengerer, “Playground” (May 8–June 2): Abstract acrylics on wood panel.
Neo-Expressionism (June 4–July 7): Continuing the 60th anniversary series. Juror: TBA. Reception: Thursday, June 12.
Tabletop (June 4–July 7): An international ceramics exhibit juried by Tony Clennell. Online entry only — deadline May 2, 2014 at 6:00 pm. Reception: Thursday, June 5.
Susan O’Neill, “Figural” (June 5–July 7): Figure drawings on paper.
July All-Media Exhibit (July 9–August 4): A juried exhibit of artwork in all media. Juror: TBA. Reception: Thursday, July 10.
David Alfuth, “The Adventure” (July 10–August 4): 3-D paper collages in black and white.
Taking Form (August 6–September 1): A showcase of work by Art League sculptors and 3-D artists. Juror: TBA. Online entry only — deadline July 18, 2014 at 6:00 pm.
Influences and Inspirations: Past and Present Art League Faculty (August 7–September 21): This exhibit will be held at the Athenaeum (201 Prince St, Alexandria, VA).
Contemporary Realism (September 3–October 6): Realistic work from Art League members. Juror: Dorothy Moss, Smithsonian American Museum. Reception: Thursday, September 11.
Web Bryant, “Washington From Light to Night” (September 4–October 6): Oil paintings of the Washington area under the changing sky.
Art NOW (October 8–November 3): Concluding our 60th anniversary series, artists present work made since October 2013. Juror: TBA. Reception: Thursday, October 9.
Leslie Nolan, “Dissed” (October 9–November 3): Bold, personal portraits in acrylic.
“Small Works” & “Large Works” (November 5–December 1): Work is restricted in size, but not subject matter. Juror: TBA. Reception: Thursday, November 13.
Michelle Rogers, “Revisiting the Past” (November 6–December 1): The photographer presents triptychs of two original silver gelatin prints juxtaposed with a postcard.
December All-Media Exhibit (December 3, 2014–January 4, 2015): A juried exhibit of works in all media by Art League member artists. Juror: TBA. Reception: Thursday, December 11.
Whitney Staiger, “Profiles” (December 4, 2014–January 6, 2015): Modern cameos in brass, copper, and sterling silver explore our online and offline personas.
We’re kicking off our 60th Anniversary year on January 9 during the opening reception for “Abstract Expressionism Revisited” – the first exhibit in our 60th Anniversary exhibition series. The works selected for this exhibit will honor the artwork created during the great 1950s Abstract Expressionist movement, the decade when The Art League was established.
