September 18, 2017 – The Art League

The 2017–18 school year at The Art League — the best place to take classes in the DC area — has officially begun!

Are you going to join in? We saved a stool for you.

Even though Fall term officially started Monday, it’s not too late to sign up. Many classes are yet to meet, including:

Calligraphy with Hermineh Miller
Stained Glass with Stephen Sherwin
Tapestry with Tea Okropiridze
Several sections of Basic Drawing (Adult) — featured in the video above
Several sections of Throwing/Handbuilding Ceramics — another popular beginning class
Mixed Media Abstract Collage with Sharon Robinson — one of our new classes
Gesture Drawing with John Murray — another new class
Introduction To Photography with Stephen Gosling
Darkroom And Film Photography with Alison Duvall

And even though Art Camp is over, our classes for ages 5 and up continue all year long. You can find the Fall offerings for children and teens in our catalog.

Professor BG Muhn at his September 9 lecture at The Art League

We had a great turnout for the most recent lecture in our Visiting Artist Series! BG Muhn, painter and art professor at Georgetown, spoke at The Art League September 9, sharing his research on contemporary art and artists in North Korea.

We followed up with a few questions afterward, and here are BG’s responses:

Is there an art “underground” in North Korea?
BG Muhn: No, I doubt it. The concept of “underground” is what the people in a liberal society would hope to happen in North Korea. It’s a romantic idea that we anticipate, but yet to come.

Do fine crafts, such as ceramics and fiber, have an equally revered role with painting and sculpture?
All art forms are considered important and all art is VERY active in production; however, fine art such as painting in oil or Chosonhwa is more valued. Hand embroidery is not widely practiced in America, but it is a cherished, traditional art form in North Korea. I’ve seen a Mona Lisa done in embroidery and it looked so fabulously attractive.

Did you have a “minder” and could you have any private conservations with the artists?
Although I had some moments when I could have engaged in a private conversation with an artist, I did not try. I know the system well, and didn’t want anyone to get in trouble.

There appears to be an amazing amount of collaborative artwork. What lessons did you take from your time with these artists? Have they increased you own interest in collaborative artwork?
I thought it would be really wonderful if I can do a collaborative project here. It would be perfect for gigantic wall murals. Imagine that several professional artists work together on a street wall!

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Day: September 18, 2017

Never Too Late: Fall Classes Start Today!

BG Muhn on Contemporary North Korean Art