Exhibit view of “A Murder in Bruges: Cast of Characters”
Last night, during our monthly “Drawn In” event, solo artist Ito Briones let the cat out of the bag and revealed to a packed crowd just who murdered the ‘Tattoo-Man’ in his murder-mystery exhibit, “A Murder in Bruges: Cast of Characters.”
Briones wrote a story to fill in all the blanks and connect the characters and clues in the mystery. He read the story to the crowd and posted it on his website. Read on to find out who murdered the ‘Tattoo-Man’!
Connecting the clues
Did you notice that two of the portraits, which seem to be of the same person, actually are not?
“Tattoo-Man 2”
“Tattoo-Man 1”
“The dead body that you have lying in the morgue is not the Tattoo-man who is the art model and boyfriend of Ivana but a twin brother,” Inspector Luttwak explained. “The fact of the matter is that there are two Tattoo-men.”
The answer was in front of the viewer, within the artwork all along! Tattoo-Man 2 was murdered by Tattoo-Man 1, his twin brother. How and why? Read about it here.
The Tattoo-Men
Who did you think the murderer was?
Did you guess correctly? Let us know in the comments. And, stop by the gallery before Sunday evening to get one, last in-person glimpse of this unique exhibit.
For Ted Upton, getting connected with The Art League was a series of seemingly accidental events. The unlikely story of how a pipeline, clay, The Art League ceramics department, and a family reunion yielded a series of beautiful vases is nothing short of serendipitous.
Digging up Art
In 1952, Upton’s parents bought a plot of land – an old, non-functioning farm in rural West Virginia. There, among chickens and the rolling hills, Upton and his 12 siblings grew up. To this day, the land still remains in the family. When the youngest of the siblings passed away last year, Upton started looking for a way gift something special for his siblings at the annual family reunion.
Pipeline construction across the Upton property
That March, construction for a pipeline project started across the Upton’s property, and the digging uncovered what looked to be a clay vein. Not a potter himself, Upton packed a bag of clay to take to a local shop to assess the materials. Unfortunately, the shop was closed. Forced to look for a new option, Ted remembered a ceramics offshoot near the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria near where he now lives. Enter The Art League.
The clay vein in the raw
Concept and Clay
When Upton stepped into The Art League Madison Annex with several buckets of raw clay, he didn’t know what to expect. Luckily, ceramics instructor Ryan Rakhshan, happened to be there that day teaching a class.
Rakshan agreed to test the clay out, “mixing it into a slurry, the raw clay turned a beautiful, mustardy yellow. Aside from the occasional rock and root, it was an absolute dream to throw on the wheel,” he said.
Raw Clay (left), Clay Slurry (center), Pre-glaze vases (right)
Since the clay was easy to work with and matured at the same temperature that the clay studio fires at, Rakhshan created a concept for a series of pieces to create for Upton’s eight siblings and his deceased brother’s three children. “If I can do something,” said Upton about the project. “I would like to do it for my siblings and my brother’s three kids for a family reunion.”
The concept: 12 different vases are “simple cylinders that have soft, undulating lines on their surface—an ode to the rolling hills and farmland where [the Upton children] grew up,” said Rakhshan. The pieces, holistically made from material from the Upton property, feature a glaze made of a mix of ash made from wood from the farm as well as clay and Gerstley Borate.
Unique Clay
Not only was Rakhshan able to create several vases, but Upton also kindly donated extra clay from the farm for the ceramics students in The Art League school to experiment with.
Rakhshan at the wheel
“I was able to teach my students about prospecting, mining, testing, and processing raw local clay,” said Rakhshan. “This was a unique opportunity for them to learn about the joys and challenges of using local clay, and an insightful glimpse of what potters would have been working with several hundred years ago.”
Final vase
The final vases now sit on the tables and counters of the Upton family siblings and their children, each one unique but similar in its own way, much like the family members they were gifted to. When asked if he is thinking of taking a class at The Art League soon, Upton says that he would definitely like to take a class with Rakhshan in the future.
Enter the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition (DC)
Deadline: September 3. The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is accepting submissions to its fifth triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. This year, the competition will focus on broadening the definition of portraiture while highlighting the genre’s relevance in contemporary art and culture. The first-prize winner will receive $25,000 and a commission to portray a remarkable living American for the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Additional cash prizes will be awarded. Submissions from each finalist will form The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today exhibition, which will be displayed at the Portrait Gallery from November 2, 2019– September 7, 2020, before traveling to other cities in the US. Previous competitions have received more than 3,000 entries.
NEW:
Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District: The Triangle Towers Mural (MD)
Deadline: September 1. The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District is currently seeking proposals for a large scale mural to be added to the Norfolk Avenue facade of the Triangle Towers apartment building in Bethesda, MD. The wall designated for the public mural is approximately 70 feet wide and 100 feet tall. Artists must be 18+ and be residents of Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia to apply. Artists must also have prior experience with the design and installation of large-scale murals, and are asked to submit a detailed, site-specific proposal for the Triangle Towers Mural. To learn more, visit www.bethesda.org.
Photographers: Enter “One Gun Gone: Thoughts and Prayers are Not Enough” – A Juried International Photography Exhibition at The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts (RI)
Deadline: September 4. Open to any photo based media. “One Gun Gone: Thoughts and Prayers are Not Enough” is a juried international photography exhibition addressing the impact of gun violence and is the third show in an exhibition series designed to provide opportunities to support positive change in the community. This exhibition is produced by Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts in partnership with “One Gun Gone.” Entered photographs should address or relate to gun violence. The entry fee for the first three images is $45 ($10 per additional image). To apply, visit The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts.
Art Vendors Needed: “Arts in the Alley” Festival – Friends of Leesburg Public Arts (VA)
Deadline: September 10. Friends of Leesburg Public Arts is seeking vendors for its 2nd annual “Arts in the Alley” festival located in downtown Leesburg. The fair will be held on September 22 from 10:00 am–6:00 pm. Only original artwork is accepted. For more information and to apply see: The Friends of Leesburg Public Arts website.
City of Takoma Park Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Art Wrap Project (MD)
Deadline: September 12. The City of Takoma Park invites artists to design a mural to be used as vinyl wraps for two electric vehicle charging stations as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to promote public art. Both charging stations are owned by the City of Takoma Park and are located on public property or in the public right-of-way. Applicants do not need to be residents of Takoma Park. For more information and to apply, visit the City of Takoma Park website.
Travel the World with AFAR & United
Deadline: September 18. Apply for the first-ever AFAR Travel Photography Awards, which highlight the diverse and creative ways in which photographers are celebrating the world. Since its launch in 2009, AFAR has been recognized for its vibrant and authentic travel photography. Winners will receive international exposure, publication in AFAR, cash awards, free business class air, and more. Choose from: the photo series category, the five photo series category, or a single photo category. To apply and learn more, visit the Lens Culture website.
Re-runs: These announcements have been posted here before, but it’s not too late to enter!
Woven Tale Press Photography Competition (NY)
Submissions open July 15–September 15. Open to film, digital, Polaroid, photo collage, any photographic form. Can include mixed media, as long as the origin of the work is photographic. Cash prizes, first place award, one-week stay in expanded 1909 charming cape in the legendary Hamptons, NY, destination to artists from around the world; home to the Pollock-Krasner House, Parrish Art Museum, contemporary art galleries; accommodations for two; one block to NYC train, Atlantic ocean beach,and town; full amenities; flexible bookings. More information here.
6th Annual International Juried 2018 FL3TCH3R Exhibit (TN)
Extended Deadline: August 23 – 31. In 2018, the international FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Social and Politically Engaged Art will enter its sixth year of sustaining the legacy of East Tennessee State University Art & Design student, Fletcher Dyer, who passed away in 2009. Artists should submit entries online or consult the prospectus. The extended deadline, with an additional fee, is August 31, 2018. All artists must submit entries at the 2018 FL3TCH3R EXHIBIT site.
Washington, DC Residents —Apply Jackson Art Center Lease in Honor of Lisa Neher (DC)
Deadline: August 31. A free, one-year lease is available at DC’s Jackson Art Center in honor of long-time artist member Lisa Neher (1955– 2017). Lisa Neher (1955–2017) was a long-time artist member and vital force in the Jackson Art Center (JAC). In Lisa’s memory, starting in 2018, a rent-free studio will be awarded for one year to a local developing artist who has a demonstrated professional body of work within their respective discipline and wishes to advance to the next level. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a Washington, DC resident (Current JAC members, commercial artists, and full-time students may not apply.) For more information and to apply for this opportunity here. Send a 1-2 page artist’s statement, resume, references, and samples of your artwork to Jackson Art Center artist Erika Cleveland.
The Limner Gallery — A Show of Heads (NY)
Deadline: August 31. “A SHOW OF HEADS” is an international, thematic group exhibition curated and hosted by the Limner Gallery October 18 – November 10, 2018. The exhibition is based on the portrayal and interpretation of the human head and is open for entry to all artists working in any media. Artists may submit portraiture, partial, composite or multiple interpretations of the head. Entry is online via email, instructions are posted at the Slow Art/ Limner Website.
Wundor Illustration Contest 2018 (International)
Deadline: August 31. The winner of the Wundor illustration contest will receive three paid commissions for Wundor book covers in 2019, subject to negotiation of fair and professional fees for each cover that are mutually acceptable to both parties. The contest is open internationally. May be a new and or up-and-coming artist or someone who is established. The winner and two runners up will have their work published and published on the Wundor website and on our social media accounts. The prize is open to anyone in the world who is 16 years of age or older. Entrance fee is £10 for one image. £15 for three images. There is no limit to the number of entries that illustrators may make. The competition is open to work created using any medium, digital or physical, and with any tools. Artwork should be submitted in JPEG or TIFF format. Entries will be judged onscreen. Learn more about Wundor and the illustration contest.
Lower East Side Printshop Keyholder Residency Program—Emerging Artists (NY)
Deadline: September 1. Lower East Side Printshop, NYC, offers emerging artists free year-long studio residencies to develop new work and foster their artistic careers. Participation is limited and competitive. Applications are evaluated by a panel of seasoned artists, curators, and art professionals based on the quality of submitted artwork. Artists currently without a studio space are encouraged to apply. The Keyholder Residency includes: 24/7 one-year access to a shared studio with printmaking facilities, a $1,000 stipend, a free printmaking class at the Printshop, free career development workshops and salons, group exhibition opportunities, and consultation hours with Printshop printers. Apply to this residency at the Printshop website.
Shakespearemachine (IN)
Deadline: September 1. Artlink Contemporary Gallery, in collaboration with Shakespearemachine, is pleased to present an exhibition inspired by Shakespeare, from contemporary interpretations to classical renderings. This is a juried exhibition. Artists working in all mediums are encouraged to enter this exhibition. Artwork must have been created within the last two years and not have been previously exhibited at Artlink. Artwork must be original, reproductions will not be accepted. For more details visit the Artlink website.
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Accepting Applications for USArtists International Grant Program
Deadline: September 7. Administered by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, the USArtists International program supports performances by American artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe. USAI encourages and promotes the vibrant diversity of American artists and creative expression in the performing arts by expanding opportunity and exposure to international audiences, encouraging international cultural exchange, and enhancing the creative and professional development of US-based artists. To that end, grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded to American dance, music, and theater ensembles and solo performers that have been invited to perform at international festivals, and/or for performance engagements that represent extraordinary career opportunities anywhere in the world outside the U.S. To apply, visit the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation RFP website.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center – Seasonal Art Installations (VA)
Deadline: September 7. The Torpedo Factory Art Center invites artists and artist teams residing in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, to submit proposals for the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s temporary art installations to activate the building’s main spaces during the fall. The exhibit will be juried by Elsabé Dixon, and will take place October 5th–November 26. Artwork is encouraged but not limited to involve themes related to fall/autumn, folklore (such as Dia de los Muertos or All Hallow’s Eve), or Alexandria’s naval history. These themes will correspond to different programming that will be happening in the Art Center for the duration of the exhibition. To learn more and apply, visit the Torpedo Factory website.
The 37th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show 2019 — National Building Museum (DC)
Deadlines: September 7. Late Deadlines: September 8 – September 21.The Smithsonian Craft Show is a prestigious juried exhibition and sale of contemporary American craft in art and design held annually in Washington, DC. Three jurors who are experts in the field and newly selected each year choose 120 artists from a large pool of applicants. Artists are selected on the basis of the originality, artistic conception, and quality of their work. The show is produced by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee. Proceeds from the Show fund grants that benefit the Smithsonian’s education, outreach, research, and conservation programs. ACCEPTABLE MEDIA CATEGORIES: Basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Call for Solo & Group Exhibition Proposals (OH)
Deadline: September 7. The Fitton Center for Creative Arts, a community art center in Hamilton, Ohio, is accepting proposals in all visual art media for solo and group exhibitions for the 2019-2020 schedule. We also offer group shows of existing guilds or alliances and to individuals willing to be selected into a curated group show. A completed Online Submission Form that includes file uploads of 150-word Artist Statement, 150-word Presentation Statement, CV, 10 artwork JPEGS with corresponding Image List and $25 non-refundable fee are required for gallery proposals. Get full requirements and submit your proposal online at the Fitton Center website.
Enter RITUALISMS at the Target Gallery (VA)
Deadline: September 9. Exhibition Dates: January 19–March 3, 2019. Juror: Katy Scarlett, independent curator. The Target Gallery invites artists working in all visual media to submit toRITUALISMS, a group exhibition that explores how rituals are an intrinsic part of the human experience. Whether it be through personal rituals, such as daily habits or quirks, or through a larger cultural context, such as religious or cultural ceremonies, the work in this exhibition will address the universality of rituals and how they foster connection or isolation.
The Center for Contemporary Art 2018 International Juried Exhibition (NJ)
Deadline: September 16. The Center for Contemporary Art’s annual International Juried Exhibition celebrates contemporary art by both established and emerging artists. The Center for Contemporary Art (“The Center”) is a vibrant regional non-profit art center with studio art classes, a summer art camp, rotating exhibitions and community outreach programs. Juror Midori Yoshimoto, Ph.D., will select work for inclusion in the exhibit and for three cash prizes. The Center’s Exhibitions Committee will review the body of work of each artists selected and choose one for a solo exhibit in 2019. Please check out The Center’s website for more details.
Crafty Bastards Craft Festival 2018 (DC)
Deadline: September 14. The Craft Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair will be held at the Capitol Riverfront in southeast DC from October-October 28. The outdoor fair will be held under its signature tents this year in Lot A at The Yards Park (near the Nationals Baseball Stadium in Washington, DC) Artists wanting to participate in this year’s festival can submit an application via the Craft Bastards Craft Festival website.
Superfine DC – The Art Fair (DC)
Deadline: September 19. The District’s First (and only) Accessible, Dynamic, Hyper-Curated, Contemporary Art Fair. When you apply to Superfine! DC you are not just entering an art fair but joining a movement, one whose primary objective is to advance sustainability in the art market. Our strategy is designed to equip you with the tools to sell and create new collectors in each and every market. Superfine! is a hyper-curated, contemporary art fair. Superfine! requires a $40 non-refundable application fee along with all application. The fair will run October 31– November 4.To learn more and to apply, visit the Superfine DC website.
The Cup, The Mug 2018 (NY)
Deadline: September 24. Main Street Arts is now accepting submissions to our 3rd annual The Cup, The Mug exhibition. This national juried exhibition is open to all U.S. artists working in ceramics, glass, wood, or metal. Submissions must be cups, mugs, or other drinking vessels. 2018 Jurors: Ceramic artists Jenny Mendes and Melissa Weiss. For more information and to submit, visit the Main Street Art Gallery website.
New prize for women painters
Deadline: September 28. The recently announced Bennett Prize will spotlight women artists who paint in the figurative realist style, and who have not yet reached full professional recognition – both new artists and those who have painted for many years.
32nd annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition (TX)
Deadline: September 30. The Greater Denton Arts Council proudly presents the 32nd annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition. Recognized as one of the premier craft exhibitions in the country, Materials: Hard + Soft began in 1987 and was originally initiated by area artist Georgia Leach Gough. The exhibition celebrates the evolving field of contemporary craft and the remarkable creativity and innovation of artists who push the boundaries of their chosen media. Approximately 70 works will be selected by juror Janet McCall, Executive Director of the Contemporary Craft, for exhibition at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center in Denton, Texas.
The Torpedo Factory – Target Gallery: 2019 Emerging Artists (VA)
Deadline: September 30. Target Gallery presents its annual exhibition featuring the work of three to four regional emerging artists. This exhibition spotlights new talent and the up-and-coming artistic innovators of the DC metropolitan area. Artists should have no more than five years of experience as a professional exhibiting artist, live within DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and have never had an solo exhibition in a professional gallery space (excluding BFA/MFA exhibitions). Each artist will receive a $500 stipend. To learn more (view prospectus) and apply, visit the Torpedo Factory website.
Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) Gallery Call for Entries (MD)
Deadline: October 1. The HCAC Exhibits Committee meets quarterly to review applications and select artists for exhibit space. Artists, ages 18 and older, working in all media and styles, including time-based and installation artists, are encouraged to apply either individually or as a group. The Committee also welcomes proposals from curators and organizations. Detailedentry guidelines available here, the next deadline for submission is October 1.
2019 Post Graduation Residency Program (VA)
Deadline: October 7. Jurors: Nicole Dowd, program director of Halcyon Arts Lab and Leslie Holt, DC-based artist and co-director of Red Dirt Studios. The Torpedo Factory Post-Grad Residency is a competitive juried program that provides meaningful support and three-month term solo studio space. This residency is open to recently-graduated students who earned a bachelor’s or master’s art degree from an accredited university. The program is unique for addressing the critical post-graduation juncture in an emerging artist’s career, offering an opportunity for professional development, and a chance to define their independent work process outside of the academic context. Submissions are open for both art school students in the region and nationwide, provided nationwide artists submit proof of their permanent residence in the area and/or commitment of contributing to the ongoing future of the DC/Maryland/Virginia arts scene. Please read and review Guidelines before applying.
Small Works 2018 (NY)
Deadline: October 8. Main Street Arts is now accepting submissions to our 5th annual Small Works exhibition. This national juried exhibition of small artwork (12 inches or smaller in any direction) is open to artists working in all media excluding video/sound and installation art. For more information and to submit, visit the Main Street Art Gallery website.
Function: An exhibition of Contemporary Craft (GA)
Deadline: October 15. The Gallery at Sulfur Studios invites artists working in traditional craft media (ceramic, fibers, glass, metals, paper, and/or wood) to submit work to their fall juried exhibition, “Function”. Artists are encouraged to push the boundaries of what “functional” means, and work that is conceptual or satirical will be considered alongside more traditional craft forms. Visit www.sulfurstudios.org/function for more information and application instructions. Email [email protected] with any questions.
Blue Mountain Gallery 7th Biannual Juried Exhibition Winter 2019 (NY)
Deadline: October 15. Blue Mountain Gallery, in the Chelsea District of New York City, invites emerging, mid-career, and established artist to submit work for it’s 7th Biannual Juried Exhibition. Open to all artists 18+ of age, living in the USA. Two-dimensional media accepted: original oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, prints, drawings, and mixed media. The fee is $40 for one to three works, $5 for each additional work, up to six works total. Additional submission requirements on the Winter 2019 Juried Exhibition site, and prospectus here.
Call for Writing Submissions: Beyond Beautiful (MD)
Deadline: November 1. Maryland Art Place (MAP) is seeking writing submissions, love letters of all types, on behalf of “The One Thousand Love Letters Project” and the exhibition “Beyond Beautiful, created and curated by artist Peter Bruun. This exhibition is slated to open January 17, 2019 at Maryland Art Place, with a partner site for the exhibition located at Area 405.
Beyond Beautiful focuses on eight topics –information and guidelines here. Peter Bruun, both curator and artist, will use these love letters to create 1,000 artistic responses to be displayed in the exhibition at MAP and Area 405. To date, Bruun has created over 600 drawings using excerpts from participant’s letters to contribute to “The One Thousand Love Letters Project.” Letters do not need to be submitted based on the listed topics and can be submitted digitally or physically.
Women Artists Call — Pen and Brush Solo Exhibit (NY)
Deadline: December 31. Long-established contemporary art gallery and nonprofit seeking talented professional female artists for various opportunities. These opportunities include, but are in no way limited to: a solo exhibition in our ground floor space on 22nd street, group exhibition opportunities, inclusion in exhibition catalogues written by art historians and curators, and opportunities to expose work to influential curators. All work submitted must be contemporary art, submitted work must be complete, to be considered work must meet standards of quality, every work in a submission must be for sale. Artists must meet professional standards of composition and presentation of their work. To apply and learn more about this opportunity, visit the Pen and Brush website.
Spark Box Studio Dawson Residency Award and Bursary (Canada)
Deadline: March 1, 2019. This award is open to residents of North America. Spark Box Studio is accepting applications from emerging, mid-career, and established artists. One artist will receive a month-long residency at our studio in Prince Edward County, plus the $1,000 Dawson bursary. The selected applicant will be granted a semi-private studio space and be given access to the Spark Box Studio equipment and resources. As well, the winner will be provided with living accommodations for their month-long stay. We support a range of disciplines including; drawers, illustrators, painters, writers, printmakers, film makers, performance artists, multidisciplinary artists, curators, book makers, musicians and photographers (digital)
Ongoing:
The Awesome Foundation Accepting Applications for Art Projects
Deadline: Open. The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences is a worldwide network of people devoted to forwarding the interest of “awesomeness in the universe.” Established in 2009, the foundation distributes $1,000 grants on a monthly basis to projects and their creators. The money is pooled from ten or more self-organizing “micro-trustees.” The chapters are autonomous and organized by the trustees around geographic areas or topics of interest. Apply on the Awesome Foundation website.
Call for Artists: Maryland Art Place Seeks Proposals for Rotating Exhibition Partnership with Baltimore’s Hotel Indigo (MD)
Deadline: rolling. Maryland Art Place (MAP), in partnership with Hotel Indigo is pleased to announce an open ‘Call to Artists’. As an extension of MAP’s annual IMPACT public art partnership projects, MAP is working with Hotel Indigo to offer rotating exhibitions in Hotel indigo’s library and Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats. This opportunity is available to visual artists living or working in Maryland. Maryland Art Place will curate four exhibitions a year based on submissions entered through a rolling basis. Guidelines and information here.
Exhibit at Hotel Indigo (VA)
Artists works will displayed in the hotel’s gallery (220 S Union St, Old Town Alexandria) for a six-month period. Two-dimensional, framed works only. Artists will install the work using the hotel’s mounting hardware. Labels will be provided by the hotel. All sales handled by artist, no commission. Preference for local or locally influenced selections but not required. The space measures approximately 7’10” by 8’3.″ If interested, contact Kate Ellis, General Manager, [email protected].
The New Project Studio – Ongoing Opportunity (VA)
Ongoing. Located in Studio 8, the New Project Studio is a community-focused arts incubator space that offers a short-term location to test new program ideas, spotlight underrepresented voices, and enhance community engagement. Projects rotate on a regular basis. For more information, click here.
Public Arts Grants & Opportunities (VA)
Ongoing. The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts provides grants for nonprofit arts organizations as well as individual artists. See all current opportunities and online applications here.
NYC volunteer opportunity (NY)
Introduce NYC school children to the world of art by giving tours at The MET Museum. Volunteer in this year-round program. Visit us at awnyc.org for more information.
Residency: Maryland
Deadline: ongoing. Montgomery College, Rockville and Germantown Art Department is seeking proposals for its Artist-in-Residence Program, encouraging proposals that cultivate collaborative work between artists and students.
Looking for artists: Foundry Gallery (DC)
Deadline: ongoing. Foundry Gallery is seeking a few artists in the greater Washington, DC area. If interested in applying for membership please send up to five images (jpg attachments) and an email letter to: [email protected]. The oldest cooperative in Washington, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows at its beautiful space north of Shaw near the 9:30 Club.
Looking for artists: Printmakers (DC)
Deadline: ongoing. Washington Printmakers Gallery is seeking artist members specializing in printmaking, photography and book arts. An active cooperative for over 30 years, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows in its lovely space in upper Georgetown. Distant and shared memberships are available. If interested in applying for membership please email [email protected].
Looking for artists: Multiple Exposures Gallery (VA)
With 250+ fall classes and workshops and a bunch of new classes and instructors joining the roster, deciding on a class to take might be pretty tricky.
We’re here to help! Take the quiz below to help you decide what class is a perfect fit for you! Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, go on your own search!
Need to phone a friend? If you need some more personalized guidance on which class is for you, contact our School office and we’ll be happy to help (703-683-2323 / [email protected]).
Groovy by Tess Olson, winner of Best in Show August 2018
Second time Best in Show winner (first time here), Tess Olson, walks us through her process, returning to her roots, and using shapes and textures to create her abstract piece Groovy.
How does Groovy fit the theme of “Value”? How did you define “Value” through this piece?
“I value the process of painting, pushing to an unexpected place, and then slowly making decisions that allow the richness and complexities to show through. Groovy fits this theme because it took a long time to make, and at one point, it was a total mess.”
What inspired Groovy? What does the title refer to?
“In this piece I was more conscious of the underlying shapes being off-center and trying to keep it balanced. I call this one Groovy because it has a definite flow and it feels a little retro to me.”
Is there something you’d like the piece to speak to?
“I hope it expresses the idea of diverse colors, shapes, and textures coexisting in a beautiful way.”
How did you achieve the texture in this piece?
“Part of the process is building up and sanding down.“
Urban, Tess Olson, 2018, Oil on canvas, 24 x 36
Another painting of yours, Urban looks similar to Groovy in the choice of palette… are there any links between the two paintings?
“They are both part of my latest series where the history and evolution of each painting is celebrated and important. As far as the palette, I love grays with a spot of color.”
In 2012, your style was very photorealistic, how did you make the switch and work into abstraction?
“I started as an abstract painter in college, but I went through about a seven year period where I decided to focus on landscape, figure, and still life. I started with plein air painting because it scared me the most, then attended open-life sessions to paint the figure and finished with still life painting in my studio. During that time I attended many workshops and classes and participated in several plein air competitions. It was all great, but now I’m back to my abstract roots, which I love.”
Smells Like Licorice, from the “Strange Terrain” series, oil on canvas, by Tess Olson. Winner of The Art League Best in Show Award March 2017.
You’ve created collections of your work (“Formations” and “Strange Terrain”), does your more recent work have a collection name?
“Not yet.”
What are you working on now?
“I’m still working on this new series.”
Keep up with Tess’ new series at her website, www.tessolson.com. See Groovy and the rest of our August “Value” Exhibit, juried by Sharon Louden, at The Art League Gallery through September 2.
Enter the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition (DC)
Deadline: September 3. The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is accepting submissions to its fifth triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. This year, the competition will focus on broadening the definition of portraiture while highlighting the genre’s relevance in contemporary art and culture. The first-prize winner will receive $25,000 and a commission to portray a remarkable living American for the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Additional cash prizes will be awarded. Submissions from each finalist will form The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today exhibition, which will be displayed at the Portrait Gallery from November 2, 2019– September 7, 2020, before traveling to other cities in the US. Previous competitions have received more than 3,000 entries.
NEW:
Light City Baltimore—Call for Entries (MD)
Deadline: August 27. The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) invites all artists and artist collaborators to submit a proposal for a temporary, visual light art installation to be a part of the fourth annual Light City, the nation’s first free large-scale light, music and innovation festival powering social change. Light City is set to take place April 5-13, 2019 at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The official Light City BGE Light Art Walk call for entry can be found on www.lightcity.org.
Lower East Side Printshop Keyholder Residency Program—Emerging Artists (NY)
Deadline: September 1. Lower East Side Printshop, NYC, offers emerging artists free year-long studio residencies to develop new work and foster their artistic careers. Participation is limited and competitive. Applications are evaluated by a panel of seasoned artists, curators, and art professionals based on the quality of submitted artwork. Artists currently without a studio space are encouraged to apply. The Keyholder Residency includes: 24/7 one-year access to a shared studio with printmaking facilities, a $1,000 stipend, a free printmaking class at the Printshop, free career development workshops and salons, group exhibition opportunities, and consultation hours with Printshop printers. Apply to this residency at the Printshop website.
Crafty Bastards Craft Festival 2018 (DC)
Deadline: September 14. The Craft Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair will be held at the Capitol Riverfront in southeast DC from October-October 28. The outdoor fair will be held under its signature tents this year in Lot A at The Yards Park (near the Nationals Baseball Stadium in Washington, DC) Artists wanting to participate in this year’s festival can submit an application via the Craft Bastards Craft Festival website.
The Center for Contemporary Art 2018—International Juried Exhibition (NJ)
Deadline: September 16. This open call exhibition will consist of two and three-dimensional work in all media. The exhibit will be juried by Dr. Midori Yoshimoto. For more information, and to apply, visit The Center for Contemporary Art website.
Blue Mountain Gallery 7th Biannual Juried Exhibition Winter 2019 (NY)
Deadline: October 15. Blue Mountain Gallery, in the Chelsea District of New York City, invites emerging, mid-career, and established artist to submit work for it’s 7th Biannual Juried Exhibition. Open to all artists 18+ of age, living in the USA. Two-dimensional media accepted: original oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, prints, drawings, and mixed media. The fee is $40 for one to three works, $5 for each additional work, up to six works total. Additional submission requirements on the Winter 2019 Juried Exhibition site, and prospectus here.
Women Artists Call — Pen and Brush Solo Exhibit (NY)
Deadline: December 31. Long-established contemporary art gallery and nonprofit seeking talented professional female artists for various opportunities. These opportunities include, but are in no way limited to: a solo exhibition in our ground floor space on 22nd street, group exhibition opportunities, inclusion in exhibition catalogues written by art historians and curators, and opportunities to expose work to influential curators. All work submitted must be contemporary art, submitted work must be complete, to be considered work must meet standards of quality, every work in a submission must be for sale. Artists must meet professional standards of composition and presentation of their work. To apply and learn more about this opportunity, visit the Pen and Brush website.
Re-runs: These announcements have been posted here before, but it’s not too late to enter!
Woven Tale Press Photography Competition (NY)
Submissions open July 15–September 15. Open to film, digital, Polaroid, photo collage, any photographic form. Can include mixed media, as long as the origin of the work is photographic. Cash prizes, first place award, one-week stay in expanded 1909 charming cape in the legendary Hamptons, NY, destination to artists from around the world; home to the Pollock-Krasner House, Parrish Art Museum, contemporary art galleries; accommodations for two; one block to NYC train, Atlantic ocean beach,and town; full amenities; flexible bookings. More information here.
6th Annual International Juried 2018 FL3TCH3R Exhibit (TN)
Extended Deadline: August 23 – 31. In 2018, the international FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Social and Politically Engaged Art will enter its sixth year of sustaining the legacy of East Tennessee State University Art & Design student, Fletcher Dyer, who passed away in 2009. Artists should submit entries online or consult the prospectus. The extended deadline, with an additional fee, is Aug. 31, 2018. All artists must submit entries at the 2018 FL3TCH3R EXHIBIT site.
Wickford Art Association 2018 National Juried Photography Exhibition (RI)
Deadline: August 24. The Wickford Art Association 2018 National Juried Photography Exhibition is your opportunity to exhibit the best of your photographic work at one of Southern New England’s finest art galleries. Open to non-members and members alike, there is no theme to constrain you. Unleash your creativity and vision. Any photographic genre, substrate, process or perspective is eligible. This year’s Juror is Paula Tognarelli, Executive Director and Curator at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, Massachusetts. Cash awards totaling $1,000 will be given along with some non-cash awards. To learn more and apply, visit theWickford Photography site.
Washington, DC Residents —Apply Jackson Art Center Lease in Honor of Lisa Neher (DC)
Deadline: August 31. A free, one-year lease is available at DC’s Jackson Art Center in honor of long-time artist member Lisa Neher (1955– 2017). Lisa Neher (1955–2017) was a long-time artist member and vital force in the Jackson Art Center (JAC). In Lisa’s memory, starting in 2018, a rent-free studio will be awarded for one year to a local developing artist who has a demonstrated professional body of work within their respective discipline and wishes to advance to the next level. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a Washington, DC resident (Current JAC members, commercial artists, and full-time students may not apply.) For more information and to apply for this opportunity here. Send a 1-2 page artist’s statement, resume, references, and samples of your artwork to Jackson Art Center artist Erika Cleveland.
The Limner Gallery — A Show of Heads (NY)
Deadline: August 31. “A SHOW OF HEADS” is an international, thematic group exhibition curated and hosted by the Limner Gallery October 18 – November 10, 2018. The exhibition is based on the portrayal and interpretation of the human head and is open for entry to all artists working in any media. Artists may submit portraiture, partial, composite or multiple interpretations of the head. Entry is online via email, instructions are posted at the Slow Art/ Limner Website.
Wundor Illustration Contest 2018 (International)
Deadline: August 31. The winner of the Wundor illustration contest will receive three paid commissions for Wundor book covers in 2019, subject to negotiation of fair and professional fees for each cover that are mutually acceptable to both parties. The contest is open internationally. May be a new and or up-and-coming artist or someone who is established. The winner and two runners up will have their work published and published on the Wundor website and on our social media accounts. The prize is open to anyone in the world who is 16 years of age or older. Entrance fee is £10 for one image. £15 for three images. There is no limit to the number of entries that illustrators may make. The competition is open to work created using any medium, digital or physical, and with any tools. Artwork should be submitted in JPEG or TIFF format. Entries will be judged onscreen. Learn more about Wundor and the illustration contest.
Shakespearemachine (IN)
Deadline: September 1. Artlink Contemporary Gallery, in collaboration with Shakespearemachine, is pleased to present an exhibition inspired by Shakespeare, from contemporary interpretations to classical renderings. This is a juried exhibition. Artists working in all mediums are encouraged to enter this exhibition. Artwork must have been created within the last two years and not have been previously exhibited at Artlink. Artwork must be original, reproductions will not be accepted. For more details visit the Artlink website.
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Accepting Applications for USArtists International Grant Program
Deadline: September 7. Administered by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, the USArtists International program supports performances by American artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe. USAI encourages and promotes the vibrant diversity of American artists and creative expression in the performing arts by expanding opportunity and exposure to international audiences, encouraging international cultural exchange, and enhancing the creative and professional development of US-based artists. To that end, grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded to American dance, music, and theater ensembles and solo performers that have been invited to perform at international festivals, and/or for performance engagements that represent extraordinary career opportunities anywhere in the world outside the U.S. To apply, visit the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation RFP website.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center – Seasonal Art Installations (VA)
Deadline: September 7. The Torpedo Factory Art Center invites artists and artist teams residing in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, to submit proposals for the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s temporary art installations to activate the building’s main spaces during the fall. The exhibit will be juried by Elsabé Dixon, and will take place October 5th–November 26. Artwork is encouraged but not limited to involve themes related to fall/autumn, folklore (such as Dia de los Muertos or All Hallow’s Eve), or Alexandria’s naval history. These themes will correspond to different programming that will be happening in the Art Center for the duration of the exhibition. To learn more and apply, visit the Torpedo Factory website.
The 37th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show 2019 — National Building Museum (DC)
Deadlines: September 7. Late Deadlines: September 8 – September 21.The Smithsonian Craft Show is a prestigious juried exhibition and sale of contemporary American craft in art and design held annually in Washington, DC. Three jurors who are experts in the field and newly selected each year choose 120 artists from a large pool of applicants. Artists are selected on the basis of the originality, artistic conception, and quality of their work. The show is produced by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee. Proceeds from the Show fund grants that benefit the Smithsonian’s education, outreach, research, and conservation programs. ACCEPTABLE MEDIA CATEGORIES: Basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Call for Solo & Group Exhibition Proposals (OH)
Deadline: September 7. The Fitton Center for Creative Arts, a community art center in Hamilton, Ohio, is accepting proposals in all visual art media for solo and group exhibitions for the 2019-2020 schedule. We also offer group shows of existing guilds or alliances and to individuals willing to be selected into a curated group show. A completed Online Submission Form that includes file uploads of 150-word Artist Statement, 150-word Presentation Statement, CV, 10 artwork JPEGS with corresponding Image List and $25 non-refundable fee are required for gallery proposals. Get full requirements and submit your proposal online at the Fitton Center website.
Enter RITUALISMS at the Target Gallery (VA)
Deadline: September 9. Exhibition Dates: January 19–March 3, 2019. Juror: Katy Scarlett, independent curator. The Target Gallery invites artists working in all visual media to submit toRITUALISMS, a group exhibition that explores how rituals are an intrinsic part of the human experience. Whether it be through personal rituals, such as daily habits or quirks, or through a larger cultural context, such as religious or cultural ceremonies, the work in this exhibition will address the universality of rituals and how they foster connection or isolation.
The Center for Contemporary Art 2018 International Juried Exhibition (NJ)
Deadline: September 16. The Center for Contemporary Art’s annual International Juried Exhibition celebrates contemporary art by both established and emerging artists. The Center for Contemporary Art (“The Center”) is a vibrant regional non-profit art center with studio art classes, a summer art camp, rotating exhibitions and community outreach programs. Juror Midori Yoshimoto, Ph.D., will select work for inclusion in the exhibit and for three cash prizes. The Center’s Exhibitions Committee will review the body of work of each artists selected and choose one for a solo exhibit in 2019. Please check out The Center’s website for more details.
Superfine DC – The Art Fair (DC)
Deadline: September 19. The District’s First (and only) Accessible, Dynamic, Hyper-Curated, Contemporary Art Fair. When you apply to Superfine! DC you are not just entering an art fair but joining a movement, one whose primary objective is to advance sustainability in the art market. Our strategy is designed to equip you with the tools to sell and create new collectors in each and every market. Superfine! is a hyper-curated, contemporary art fair. Superfine! requires a $40 non-refundable application fee along with all application. The fair will run October 31– November 4.To learn more and to apply, visit the Superfine DC website.
The Cup, The Mug 2018 (NY)
Deadline: September 24. Main Street Arts is now accepting submissions to our 3rd annual The Cup, The Mug exhibition. This national juried exhibition is open to all U.S. artists working in ceramics, glass, wood, or metal. Submissions must be cups, mugs, or other drinking vessels. 2018 Jurors: Ceramic artists Jenny Mendes and Melissa Weiss. For more information and to submit, visit the Main Street Art Gallery website.
New prize for women painters
Deadline: September 28. The recently announced Bennett Prize will spotlight women artists who paint in the figurative realist style, and who have not yet reached full professional recognition – both new artists and those who have painted for many years.
32nd annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition (TX)
Deadline: September 30. The Greater Denton Arts Council proudly presents the 32nd annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition. Recognized as one of the premier craft exhibitions in the country, Materials: Hard + Soft began in 1987 and was originally initiated by area artist Georgia Leach Gough. The exhibition celebrates the evolving field of contemporary craft and the remarkable creativity and innovation of artists who push the boundaries of their chosen media. Approximately 70 works will be selected by juror Janet McCall, Executive Director of the Contemporary Craft, for exhibition at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center in Denton, Texas.
The Torpedo Factory – Target Gallery: 2019 Emerging Artists (VA)
Deadline: September 30. Target Gallery presents its annual exhibition featuring the work of three to four regional emerging artists. This exhibition spotlights new talent and the up-and-coming artistic innovators of the DC metropolitan area. Artists should have no more than five years of experience as a professional exhibiting artist, live within DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and have never had an solo exhibition in a professional gallery space (excluding BFA/MFA exhibitions). Each artist will receive a $500 stipend. To learn more (view prospectus) and apply, visit the Torpedo Factory website.
Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) Gallery Call for Entries (MD)
Deadline: October 1. The HCAC Exhibits Committee meets quarterly to review applications and select artists for exhibit space. Artists, ages 18 and older, working in all media and styles, including time-based and installation artists, are encouraged to apply either individually or as a group. The Committee also welcomes proposals from curators and organizations. Detailedentry guidelines available here, the next deadline for submission is October 1.
2019 Post Graduation Residency Program (VA)
Deadline: October 7. Jurors: Nicole Dowd, program director of Halcyon Arts Lab and Leslie Holt, DC-based artist and co-director of Red Dirt Studios. The Torpedo Factory Post-Grad Residency is a competitive juried program that provides meaningful support and three-month term solo studio space. This residency is open to recently-graduated students who earned a bachelor’s or master’s art degree from an accredited university. The program is unique for addressing the critical post-graduation juncture in an emerging artist’s career, offering an opportunity for professional development, and a chance to define their independent work process outside of the academic context. Submissions are open for both art school students in the region and nationwide, provided nationwide artists submit proof of their permanent residence in the area and/or commitment of contributing to the ongoing future of the DC/Maryland/Virginia arts scene. Please read and review Guidelines before applying.
Small Works 2018 (NY)
Deadline: October 8. Main Street Arts is now accepting submissions to our 5th annual Small Works exhibition. This national juried exhibition of small artwork (12 inches or smaller in any direction) is open to artists working in all media excluding video/sound and installation art. For more information and to submit, visit the Main Street Art Gallery website.
Function: An exhibition of Contemporary Craft (GA)
Deadline: October 15. The Gallery at Sulfur Studios invites artists working in traditional craft media (ceramic, fibers, glass, metals, paper, and/or wood) to submit work to their fall juried exhibition, “Function”. Artists are encouraged to push the boundaries of what “functional” means, and work that is conceptual or satirical will be considered alongside more traditional craft forms. Visit www.sulfurstudios.org/function for more information and application instructions. Email [email protected] with any questions.
Call for Writing Submissions: Beyond Beautiful (MD)
Deadline: November 1. Maryland Art Place (MAP) is seeking writing submissions, love letters of all types, on behalf of “The One Thousand Love Letters Project” and the exhibition “Beyond Beautiful, created and curated by artist Peter Bruun. This exhibition is slated to open January 17, 2019 at Maryland Art Place, with a partner site for the exhibition located at Area 405.
Beyond Beautiful focuses on eight topics –information and guidelines here. Peter Bruun, both curator and artist, will use these love letters to create 1,000 artistic responses to be displayed in the exhibition at MAP and Area 405. To date, Bruun has created over 600 drawings using excerpts from participant’s letters to contribute to “The One Thousand Love Letters Project.” Letters do not need to be submitted based on the listed topics and can be submitted digitally or physically.
Spark Box Studio Dawson Residency Award and Bursary (Canada)
Deadline: March 1, 2019. This award is open to residents of North America. Spark Box Studio is accepting applications from emerging, mid-career, and established artists. One artist will receive a month-long residency at our studio in Prince Edward County, plus the $1,000 Dawson bursary. The selected applicant will be granted a semi-private studio space and be given access to the Spark Box Studio equipment and resources. As well, the winner will be provided with living accommodations for their month-long stay. We support a range of disciplines including; drawers, illustrators, painters, writers, printmakers, film makers, performance artists, multidisciplinary artists, curators, book makers, musicians and photographers (digital)
Ongoing:
The Awesome Foundation Accepting Applications for Art Projects
Deadline: Open. The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences is a worldwide network of people devoted to forwarding the interest of “awesomeness in the universe.” Established in 2009, the foundation distributes $1,000 grants on a monthly basis to projects and their creators. The money is pooled from ten or more self-organizing “micro-trustees.” The chapters are autonomous and organized by the trustees around geographic areas or topics of interest. Apply on the Awesome Foundation website.
Call for Artists: Maryland Art Place Seeks Proposals for Rotating Exhibition Partnership with Baltimore’s Hotel Indigo (MD)
Deadline: rolling. Maryland Art Place (MAP), in partnership with Hotel Indigo is pleased to announce an open ‘Call to Artists’. As an extension of MAP’s annual IMPACT public art partnership projects, MAP is working with Hotel Indigo to offer rotating exhibitions in Hotel indigo’s library and Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats. This opportunity is available to visual artists living or working in Maryland. Maryland Art Place will curate four exhibitions a year based on submissions entered through a rolling basis. Guidelines and information here.
Exhibit at Hotel Indigo (VA)
Artists works will displayed in the hotel’s gallery (220 S Union St, Old Town Alexandria) for a six-month period. Two-dimensional, framed works only. Artists will install the work using the hotel’s mounting hardware. Labels will be provided by the hotel. All sales handled by artist, no commission. Preference for local or locally influenced selections but not required. The space measures approximately 7’10” by 8’3.″ If interested, contact Kate Ellis, General Manager, [email protected].
The New Project Studio – Ongoing Opportunity (VA)
Ongoing. Located in Studio 8, the New Project Studio is a community-focused arts incubator space that offers a short-term location to test new program ideas, spotlight underrepresented voices, and enhance community engagement. Projects rotate on a regular basis. For more information, click here.
Public Arts Grants & Opportunities (VA)
Ongoing. The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts provides grants for nonprofit arts organizations as well as individual artists. See all current opportunities and online applications here.
NYC volunteer opportunity (NY)
Introduce NYC school children to the world of art by giving tours at The MET Museum. Volunteer in this year-round program. Visit us at awnyc.org for more information.
Residency: Maryland
Deadline: ongoing. Montgomery College, Rockville and Germantown Art Department is seeking proposals for its Artist-in-Residence Program, encouraging proposals that cultivate collaborative work between artists and students.
Looking for artists: Foundry Gallery (DC)
Deadline: ongoing. Foundry Gallery is seeking a few artists in the greater Washington, DC area. If interested in applying for membership please send up to five images (jpg attachments) and an email letter to: [email protected]. The oldest cooperative in Washington, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows at its beautiful space north of Shaw near the 9:30 Club.
Looking for artists: Printmakers (DC)
Deadline: ongoing. Washington Printmakers Gallery is seeking artist members specializing in printmaking, photography and book arts. An active cooperative for over 30 years, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows in its lovely space in upper Georgetown. Distant and shared memberships are available. If interested in applying for membership please email [email protected].
Looking for artists: Multiple Exposures Gallery (VA)
The colored pencils have all been zipped away, the clay dust carefully cleaned off the counters, and the paint scrubbed off the paintbrushes. It’s the final week of Art Camp, and after a fun and creative summer, our campers are making their way out of the halls of our Madison Annex and back to school.
Paint your own portrait!
Art Camp by the numbers
This summer, campers ages 5-17 worked on a variety of projects from handmade earrings, to cartoon strips, to abstract compositions. Over 1,000 campers joined our 30+ camps for over 40 days of creative fun this summer. Our 25 instructors and 10 interns kept the creativity flowing over all nine weeks of Art Camp fun! If you’re wondering what nine weeks of Art Camp looked like… you’re in luck!
How many colored pencils, crayons, paints, and beads can you count? Here’s just a sampling of what our campers created this summer:
Jewelry campers working on earrings
A polar bear in August?
We can’t wait to see what happens next!
Keep the mess at our place… instead of your kitchen
Teens working on abstraction with Art League Instructor and Torpedo Factory artist Bev Ryan
While we love Summer Art Camp, there’s no need to wait for the warm weather to get your kids to explore their inner artist. Check out our fall classes and workshops for kids and teens and get them registered!
Here’s an idea for a party: get together over two days (September 1 and 2) with your friends, some food and drinks, and a printing press. Enter: The Monotype Party!
We can’t take all the credit for the idea: monotype parties hit the scene back in the 19th century, bringing artists together to try what was then a new medium. (It’s sometimes called “the painterly print.”)
Why a party?
The Monotype Party remains the perfect setting to dive into what can be an experimental, unpredictable process.
Everyone can share supplies — most importantly, a heavy and expensive printing press
Monotypes create only 1–2 prints each, so there’s not the pressure that comes with printing an edition
It’s fun to share and compare artwork
Here in the 21st century, artists can try their hand at different monotype techniques with instructors Mike Francis, Thomas Hipschen, and Pattee Hipschen. They’ll also serve in a gourmet lunch each day, and you can see what other participants are up to in an informal setting.
The Monotype Party is coming up September 1-2, 2018 so register now to join us! Here are some photos from a previous party, courtesy of Pattee Hipschen:
Enter the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition (DC)
Deadline: September 3. The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is accepting submissions to its fifth triennialOutwin Boochever Portrait Competition. This year, the competition will focus on broadening the definition of portraiture while highlighting the genre’s relevance in contemporary art and culture. The first-prize winner will receive $25,000 and a commission to portray a remarkable living American for the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Additional cash prizes will be awarded. Submissions from each finalist will form The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today exhibition, which will be displayed at the Portrait Gallery from November 2, 2019– September 7, 2020, before traveling to other cities in the US. Previous competitions have received more than 3,000 entries.
NEW:
Bryant Park Painter in Residence Program (NY)
Deadline: August 17. Bryant Park Corporation invites applicants to participate in the seventh annual Painter in Residence Program for the purpose of creating representational imagery of Bryant Park. The artwork will be visual record of Bryant Park from an artist’s perspective. Stipend: $1250 per week plus one-time supplemental fund of up to $500 for materials. The competition is open to all U.S. citizens. Minimum age to participate is 18. Any artwork submitted for consideration must have been completed in the last two years. Though representational styles will be given preference, innovative and experimental approaches are welcome. Likewise, art using either traditional or alternative media will be accepted. The submitted art will be juried by a group comprised of selected BPC staff members and select members of New York City’s arts community. For more information and to apply, visit the Bryant Park Artist in Residence webpage.
Public Art Call for Durham Black Wall Street Gardens (NJ)
Deadline: August 20. The City of Durham invites professional artists or artist teams to submit qualifications to design, fabricate, and install a signature, permanent piece of public art in Black Wall Street Gardens in downtown Durham. The piece is to commemorate and illuminate the importance of Black Wall Street and the legacy of Durham’s African-American business community. Full proposals are not required at this time; please submit only those materials described in the submission requirements section. The selected artist will work in collaboration with the City of Durham’s Public Art Program administrator. To learn more and apply, visit the Durham City Government webpage.
Wickford Art Association 2018 National Juried Photography Exhibition (RI)
Deadline: August 24. TheWickford Art Association2018 National Juried Photography Exhibitionis your opportunity to exhibit the best of your photographic work at one of Southern New England’s finest art galleries. Open to non-members and members alike, there is no theme to constrain you. Unleash your creativity and vision. Any photographic genre, substrate, process or perspective is eligible. This year’s Juror is Paula Tognarelli, Executive Director and Curator at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, Massachusetts. Cash awards totaling $1,000 will be given along with some non-cash awards. To learn more and apply, visit the Wickford Photography site.
Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) Gallery Call for Entries (MD)
Deadline: October 1. The HCAC Exhibits Committee meets quarterly to review applications and select artists for exhibit space. Artists, ages 18 and older, working in all media and styles, including time-based and installation artists, are encouraged to apply either individually or as a group. The Committee also welcomes proposals from curators and organizations. Detailed entry guidelines available here, the next deadline for submission is October 1.
Re-runs: These announcements have been posted here before, but it’s not too late to enter!
Re-runs: These announcements have been posted here before, but it’s not too late to enter!
Woven Tale Press Photography Competition (NY)
Submissions open July 15–September 15. Open to film, digital, Polaroid, photo collage, any photographic form. Can include mixed media, as long as the origin of the work is photographic. Cash prizes, first place award, one-week stay in expanded 1909 charming cape in the legendary Hamptons, NY, destination to artists from around the world; home to the Pollock-Krasner House, Parrish Art Museum, contemporary art galleries; accommodations for two; one block to NYC train, Atlantic ocean beach,and town; full amenities; flexible bookings. More information here.
Call For Entries: Rachel Reese Selects (GA)
Deadline: August 16. Atlanta Photography Group is now taking submissions for Rachel Reese Selects, APG’s feature exhibition for Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the month-long, citywide photography festival. The exhibition will be juried by Rachel Reese, the Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Telfair Museums in Savannah, GA. The Virginia Twinam Smith Award is an important part of this exhibition. Two works will be selected for a $500 prize and acquisition into the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia. For more information please visit the Atlanta Photography Group website.
1708 Gallery— Accepting Exhibition Proposals (VA)
Deadline: August 17. 1708 Gallery welcomes all artists to submit exhibition proposals. Our Exhibitions Committee reviews proposals annually. This committee includes professional artists from our Board, Curator, and Executive Director. Exhibition proposals are currently being considered for the year 2020. For more information and to submit a proposal, visit the 1708 Gallery.
Squid Ink Gallery —Figure of Speech Call for Figurative Work (Online)
Deadline: August 20. We are now accepting submissions for our figure art event and competition! For this competition we have asked that artists submit their best and most expressive figure art pieces. We would like you to focus on body language and expression. Each piece should have a strong narrative, with the focus being on the human figure. This is an open medium show and we will also be accepting nude figure art. To learn more about this opportunity and apply, visit the Figure of Speech website.
6th Annual International Juried 2018 FL3TCH3R Exhibit (TN)
Deadline: August 22. Extended Deadline: August 23 – 31. In 2018, the international FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Social and Politically Engaged Art will enter its sixth year of sustaining the legacy of East Tennessee State University Art & Design student, Fletcher Dyer, who passed away in 2009. Artists should submit entries online or consult the prospectus. The extended deadline, with an additional fee, is Aug. 31, 2018. All artists must submit entries at the 2018 FL3TCH3R EXHIBIT site.
Washington, DC Residents —Apply Jackson Art Center Lease in Honor of Lisa Neher (DC)
Deadline: August 31. A free, one-year lease is available at DC’s Jackson Art Center in honor of long-time artist member Lisa Neher (1955– 2017). Lisa Neher (1955–2017) was a long-time artist member and vital force in the Jackson Art Center (JAC). In Lisa’s memory, starting in 2018, a rent-free studio will be awarded for one year to a local developing artist who has a demonstrated professional body of work within their respective discipline and wishes to advance to the next level. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a Washington, DC resident (Current JAC members, commercial artists, and full-time students may not apply.) For more information and to apply for this opportunity here. Send a 1-2 page artist’s statement, resume, references, and samples of your artwork to Jackson Art Center artist Erika Cleveland.
The Limner Gallery — A Show of Heads (NY)
Deadline: August 31. “A SHOW OF HEADS” is an international, thematic group exhibition curated and hosted by the Limner Gallery October 18 – November 10, 2018. The exhibition is based on the portrayal and interpretation of the human head and is open for entry to all artists working in any media. Artists may submit portraiture, partial, composite or multiple interpretations of the head. Entry is online via email, instructions are posted at the Slow Art/ Limner Website.
Wundor Illustration Contest 2018 (International)
Deadline: August 31. The winner of the Wundor illustration contest will receive three paid commissions for Wundor book covers in 2019, subject to negotiation of fair and professional fees for each cover that are mutually acceptable to both parties. The contest is open internationally. May be a new and or up-and-coming artist or someone who is established. The winner and two runners up will have their work published and published on the Wundor website and on our social media accounts. The prize is open to anyone in the world who is 16 years of age or older. Entrance fee is £10 for one image. £15 for three images. There is no limit to the number of entries that illustrators may make. The competition is open to work created using any medium, digital or physical, and with any tools. Artwork should be submitted in JPEG or TIFF format. Entries will be judged onscreen. Learn more about Wundor and the illustration contest.
Shakespearemachine (IN)
Deadline: September 1. Artlink Contemporary Gallery, in collaboration with Shakespearemachine, is pleased to present an exhibition inspired by Shakespeare, from contemporary interpretations to classical renderings. This is a juried exhibition. Artists working in all mediums are encouraged to enter this exhibition. Artwork must have been created within the last two years and not have been previously exhibited at Artlink. Artwork must be original, reproductions will not be accepted. For more details visit the Artlink website.
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Accepting Applications for USArtists International Grant Program
Deadline: September 7. Administered by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, the USArtists International program supports performances by American artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe. USAI encourages and promotes the vibrant diversity of American artists and creative expression in the performing arts by expanding opportunity and exposure to international audiences, encouraging international cultural exchange, and enhancing the creative and professional development of US-based artists. To that end, grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded to American dance, music, and theater ensembles and solo performers that have been invited to perform at international festivals, and/or for performance engagements that represent extraordinary career opportunities anywhere in the world outside the U.S. To apply, visit theMid Atlantic Arts Foundation RFP website.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center – Seasonal Art Installations (VA)
Deadline: September 7. The Torpedo Factory Art Center invites artists and artist teams residing in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, to submit proposals for the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s temporary art installations to activate the building’s main spaces during the fall. The exhibit will be juried by Elsabé Dixon, and will take place October 5th–November 26. Artwork is encouraged but not limited to involve themes related to fall/autumn, folklore (such as Dia de los Muertos or All Hallow’s Eve), or Alexandria’s naval history. These themes will correspond to different programming that will be happening in the Art Center for the duration of the exhibition. To learn more and apply, visit theTorpedo Factory website.
The 37th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show 2019 — National Building Museum (DC)
Deadlines: September 7. Late Deadlines: September 8 – September 21.The Smithsonian Craft Show is a prestigious juried exhibition and sale of contemporary American craft in art and design held annually in Washington, DC. Three jurors who are experts in the field and newly selected each year choose 120 artists from a large pool of applicants. Artists are selected on the basis of the originality, artistic conception, and quality of their work. The show is produced by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee. Proceeds from the Show fund grants that benefit the Smithsonian’s education, outreach, research, and conservation programs. ACCEPTABLE MEDIA CATEGORIES: Basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Call for Solo & Group Exhibition Proposals (OH)
Deadline: September 7. The Fitton Center for Creative Arts, a community art center in Hamilton, Ohio, is accepting proposals in all visual art media for solo and group exhibitions for the 2019-2020 schedule. We also offer group shows of existing guilds or alliances and to individuals willing to be selected into a curated group show. A completed Online Submission Form that includes file uploads of 150-word Artist Statement, 150-word Presentation Statement, CV, 10 artwork JPEGS with corresponding Image List and $25 non-refundable fee are required for gallery proposals. Get full requirements and submit your proposal online at the Fitton Center website.
Enter RITUALISMS at the Target Gallery (VA)
Deadline: September 9. Exhibition Dates: January 19–March 3, 2019. Juror: Katy Scarlett, independent curator. The Target Gallery invites artists working in all visual media to submit toRITUALISMS, a group exhibition that explores how rituals are an intrinsic part of the human experience. Whether it be through personal rituals, such as daily habits or quirks, or through a larger cultural context, such as religious or cultural ceremonies, the work in this exhibition will address the universality of rituals and how they foster connection or isolation.
The Center for Contemporary Art 2018 International Juried Exhibition (NJ)
Deadline: September 16. The Center for Contemporary Art’s annual International Juried Exhibition celebrates contemporary art by both established and emerging artists. The Center for Contemporary Art (“The Center”) is a vibrant regional non-profit art center with studio art classes, a summer art camp, rotating exhibitions and community outreach programs. Juror Midori Yoshimoto, Ph.D., will select work for inclusion in the exhibit and for three cash prizes. The Center’s Exhibitions Committee will review the body of work of each artists selected and choose one for a solo exhibit in 2019. Please check out The Center’s website for more details.
Superfine DC – The Art Fair (DC)
Deadline: September 19. The District’s First (and only) Accessible, Dynamic, Hyper-Curated, Contemporary Art Fair. When you apply to Superfine! DC you are not just entering an art fair but joining a movement, one whose primary objective is to advance sustainability in the art market. Our strategy is designed to equip you with the tools to sell and create new collectors in each and every market. Superfine! is a hyper-curated, contemporary art fair. Superfine! requires a $40 non-refundable application fee along with all application. The fair will run October 31– November 4.To learn more and to apply, visit theSuperfine DC website.
The Cup, The Mug 2018 (NY)
Deadline: September 24. Main Street Arts is now accepting submissions to our 3rd annual The Cup, The Mug exhibition. This national juried exhibition is open to all U.S. artists working in ceramics, glass, wood, or metal. Submissions must be cups, mugs, or other drinking vessels. 2018 Jurors: Ceramic artists Jenny Mendes and Melissa Weiss. For more information and to submit, visit the Main Street Art Gallery website.
New prize for women painters
Deadline: September 28. The recently announced Bennett Prize will spotlight women artists who paint in the figurative realist style, and who have not yet reached full professional recognition – both new artists and those who have painted for many years.
32nd annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition (TX)
Deadline: September 30. The Greater Denton Arts Council proudly presents the 32nd annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition. Recognized as one of the premier craft exhibitions in the country, Materials: Hard + Soft began in 1987 and was originally initiated by area artist Georgia Leach Gough. The exhibition celebrates the evolving field of contemporary craft and the remarkable creativity and innovation of artists who push the boundaries of their chosen media. Approximately 70 works will be selected by juror Janet McCall, Executive Director of the Contemporary Craft, for exhibition at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center in Denton, Texas.
The Torpedo Factory – Target Gallery: 2019 Emerging Artists (VA)
Deadline: September 30. Target Gallery presents its annual exhibition featuring the work of three to four regional emerging artists. This exhibition spotlights new talent and the up-and-coming artistic innovators of the DC metropolitan area. Artists should have no more than five years of experience as a professional exhibiting artist, live within DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and have never had an solo exhibition in a professional gallery space (excluding BFA/MFA exhibitions). Each artist will receive a $500 stipend. To learn more (view prospectus) and apply, visitthe Torpedo Factory website.
2019 Post Graduation Residency Program (VA)
Deadline: October 7. Jurors: Nicole Dowd, program director of Halcyon Arts Lab and Leslie Holt, DC-based artist and co-director of Red Dirt Studios. The Torpedo Factory Post-Grad Residency is a competitive juried program that provides meaningful support and three-month term solo studio space. This residency is open to recently-graduated students who earned a bachelor’s or master’s art degree from an accredited university. The program is unique for addressing the critical post-graduation juncture in an emerging artist’s career, offering an opportunity for professional development, and a chance to define their independent work process outside of the academic context. Submissions are open for both art school students in the region and nationwide, provided nationwide artists submit proof of their permanent residence in the area and/or commitment of contributing to the ongoing future of the DC/Maryland/Virginia arts scene. Please read and review Guidelines before applying.
Small Works 2018 (NY)
Deadline: October 8. Main Street Arts is now accepting submissions to our 5th annual Small Works exhibition. This national juried exhibition of small artwork (12 inches or smaller in any direction) is open to artists working in all media excluding video/sound and installation art. For more information and to submit, visit the Main Street Art Gallery website.
Function: An exhibition of Contemporary Craft (GA)
Deadline: October 15. The Gallery at Sulfur Studios invites artists working in traditional craft media (ceramic, fibers, glass, metals, paper, and/or wood) to submit work to their fall juried exhibition, “Function”. Artists are encouraged to push the boundaries of what “functional” means, and work that is conceptual or satirical will be considered alongside more traditional craft forms. Visit www.sulfurstudios.org/function for more information and application instructions. Email [email protected] with any questions.
Call for Writing Submissions: Beyond Beautiful (MD)
Deadline: November 1. Maryland Art Place (MAP) is seeking writing submissions, love letters of all types, on behalf of “The One Thousand Love Letters Project” and the exhibition “Beyond Beautiful, created and curated by artist Peter Bruun. This exhibition is slated to open January 17, 2019 at Maryland Art Place, with a partner site for the exhibition located at Area 405.
Beyond Beautiful focuses on eight topics –information and guidelines here. Peter Bruun, both curator and artist, will use these love letters to create 1,000 artistic responses to be displayed in the exhibition at MAP and Area 405. To date, Bruun has created over 600 drawings using excerpts from participant’s letters to contribute to “The One Thousand Love Letters Project.” Letters do not need to be submitted based on the listed topics and can be submitted digitally or physically.
Spark Box Studio Dawson Residency Award and Bursary (Canada)
Deadline: March 1, 2019. This award is open to residents of North America. Spark Box Studio is accepting applications from emerging, mid-career, and established artists. One artist will receive a month-long residency at our studio in Prince Edward County, plus the $1,000 Dawson bursary. The selected applicant will be granted a semi-private studio space and be given access to the Spark Box Studio equipment and resources. As well, the winner will be provided with living accommodations for their month-long stay. We support a range of disciplines including; drawers, illustrators, painters, writers, printmakers, film makers, performance artists, multidisciplinary artists, curators, book makers, musicians and photographers (digital)
Ongoing:
The Awesome Foundation Accepting Applications for Art Projects
Deadline: Open. The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences is a worldwide network of people devoted to forwarding the interest of “awesomeness in the universe.” Established in 2009, the foundation distributes $1,000 grants on a monthly basis to projects and their creators. The money is pooled from ten or more self-organizing “micro-trustees.” The chapters are autonomous and organized by the trustees around geographic areas or topics of interest. Apply on theAwesome Foundation website.
Call for Artists: Maryland Art Place Seeks Proposals for Rotating Exhibition Partnership with Baltimore’s Hotel Indigo (MD)
Deadline: rolling. Maryland Art Place (MAP), in partnership with Hotel Indigo is pleased to announce an open ‘Call to Artists’. As an extension of MAP’s annual IMPACT public art partnership projects, MAP is working with Hotel Indigo to offer rotating exhibitions in Hotel indigo’s library and Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats. This opportunity is available to visual artists living or working in Maryland. Maryland Art Place will curate four exhibitions a year based on submissions entered through a rolling basis. Guidelines and information here.
Exhibit at Hotel Indigo (VA)
Artists works will displayed in the hotel’s gallery (220 S Union St, Old Town Alexandria) for a six-month period. Two-dimensional, framed works only. Artists will install the work using the hotel’s mounting hardware. Labels will be provided by the hotel. All sales handled by artist, no commission. Preference for local or locally influenced selections but not required. The space measures approximately 7’10” by 8’3.″ If interested, contact Kate Ellis, General Manager, [email protected].
The New Project Studio – Ongoing Opportunity (VA)
Ongoing. Located in Studio 8, the New Project Studio is a community-focused arts incubator space that offers a short-term location to test new program ideas, spotlight underrepresented voices, and enhance community engagement. Projects rotate on a regular basis. For more information, click here.
Public Arts Grants & Opportunities (VA)
Ongoing. The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts provides grants for nonprofit arts organizations as well as individual artists. See all current opportunities and online applications here.
NYC volunteer opportunity (NY)
Introduce NYC school children to the world of art by giving tours at The MET Museum. Volunteer in this year-round program. Visit us at awnyc.org for more information.
Residency: Maryland
Deadline: ongoing. Montgomery College, Rockville and Germantown Art Department is seeking proposals for its Artist-in-Residence Program, encouraging proposals that cultivate collaborative work between artists and students.
Looking for artists: Foundry Gallery (DC)
Deadline: ongoing. Foundry Gallery is seeking a few artists in the greater Washington, DC area. If interested in applying for membership please send up to five images (jpg attachments) and an email letter to: [email protected]. The oldest cooperative in Washington, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows at its beautiful space north of Shaw near the 9:30 Club.
Looking for artists: Printmakers (DC)
Deadline: ongoing. Washington Printmakers Gallery is seeking artist members specializing in printmaking, photography and book arts. An active cooperative for over 30 years, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows in its lovely space in upper Georgetown. Distant and shared memberships are available. If interested in applying for membership please email [email protected].
Looking for artists: Multiple Exposures Gallery (VA)
When he’s not working as physician-scientist, Dr. Ito Briones can be found oil painting or writing fiction. The August solo exhibit perfectly brings together Briones’ strengths in one exciting art-exhibit-turned-murder-mystery. Briones invites YOU to be the detective and solve the mysterious murder of The Tattoo-man. Keep reading for how to be entered to win one of Briones’ paintings.
The CluesThe Victim
Background:
The Setting: Bruges, Belgium.
The Victim: The Tattoo-man, a 35-year old male covered neck to thigh in tattoos, working as a professional a model for a local Bruges art school.
The Suspects: More than 20 characters – most of them with a possible motive to kill the Tattoo-man.
The Detectives: Inspectors Edward and Nicolas Luttwak.
The Clues: Autopsy report indicating the victim drowned, a baseball bat covered in blood matching the DNA of the victim, the Tattoo-man’s wrist watch stopped at 9:34, a ruby necklace, a blood-stained glove, a blood smeared violin.
View the exhibit through September 2, but make sure to place your guess for who the murder is before August 30.
SuspectsSuspectsSuspects
How to Win:
Identify the killer, send your answer to itobriones (at) gmail.com before the end of the day on August 28 for a chance to win a painting in the exhibit. In the event that more than one person manages to solve the case, a lottery will be held to choose the winner from those who correctly identified the murderer. A complete analysis of the story will be revealed on August 30 at the “Drawn In: Taking a Closer Look at The Art League’s Solo Art Exhibit” event and on Briones’ website, itobriones.com.
Enter the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition (DC)
Deadline: September 3. The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is accepting submissions to its fifth triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. This year, the competition will focus on broadening the definition of portraiture while highlighting the genre’s relevance in contemporary art and culture. The first-prize winner will receive $25,000 and a commission to portray a remarkable living American for the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Additional cash prizes will be awarded. Submissions from each finalist will form The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today exhibition, which will be displayed at the Portrait Gallery from November 2, 2019– September 7, 2020, before traveling to other cities in the US. Previous competitions have received more than 3,000 entries.
NEW:
Washington Project for the Arts — Artist Mother Studio Open Call (DC)
Deadline: (extended) August 13. We are looking for zine contributors and residency participants for a project that will take place at WPA this fall. Organized by artist Amy Hughes Braden, Artist Mother Studio seeks to transcend definitions of motherhood casually embedded within universalist white paternalism, and encouraging a politics where motherhood is understood more broadly: as the conditioning of a world to come. To apply, and learn more, visit the WPA website.
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Accepting Applications for USArtists International Grant Program
Deadline: September 7. Administered by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, the USArtists International program supports performances by American artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe. USAI encourages and promotes the vibrant diversity of American artists and creative expression in the performing arts by expanding opportunity and exposure to international audiences, encouraging international cultural exchange, and enhancing the creative and professional development of US-based artists. To that end, grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded to American dance, music, and theater ensembles and solo performers that have been invited to perform at international festivals, and/or for performance engagements that represent extraordinary career opportunities anywhere in the world outside the U.S. To apply, visit the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation RFP website.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center – Seasonal Art Installations (VA)
Deadline: September 7. The TorpedoFactory Art Center invites artists and artist teams residing in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, to submit proposals for the TorpedoFactory Art Center’s temporary art installations to activate the building’s main spaces during the fall. The exhibit will be juried by Elsabé Dixon, and will take place October 5th–November 26. Artwork is encouraged but not limited to involve themes related to fall/autumn, folklore (such as Dia de los Muertos or All Hallow’s Eve), or Alexandria’s naval history. These themes will correspond to different programming that will be happening in the Art Center for the duration of the exhibition. To learn more and apply, visit the Torpedo Factory website.
Superfine DC – The Art Fair (DC)
Deadline: September 19. The District’s First (and only) Accessible, Dynamic, Hyper-Curated, Contemporary Art Fair. When you apply to Superfine! DC you are not just entering an art fair but joining a movement, one whose primary objective is to advance sustainability in the art market. Our strategy is designed to equip you with the tools to sell and create new collectors in each and every market. Superfine! is a hyper-curated, contemporary art fair. Superfine! requires a $40 non-refundable application fee along with all application. The fair will run October 31– November 4.To learn more and to apply, visit the Superfine DC website.
The Torpedo Factory – Target Gallery: 2019 Emerging Artists
Deadline: September 30. Target Gallery presents its annual exhibition featuring the work of three to four regional emerging artists. This exhibition spotlights new talent and the up-and-coming artistic innovators of the DC metropolitan area. Artists should have no more than five years of experience as a professional exhibiting artist, live within DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and have never had an solo exhibition in a professional gallery space (excluding BFA/MFA exhibitions). Each artist will receive a $500 stipend. To learn more (view prospectus) and apply, visit the Torpedo Factory website.
The Awesome Foundation Accepting Applications for Art Projects
Deadline: Open. The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences is a worldwide network of people devoted to forwarding the interest of “awesomeness in the universe.” Established in 2009, the foundation distributes $1,000 grants on a monthly basis to projects and their creators. The money is pooled from ten or more self-organizing “micro-trustees.” The chapters are autonomous and organized by the trustees around geographic areas or topics of interest. Apply on the Awesome Foundation website.
Re-runs: These announcements have been posted here before, but it’s not too late to enter!
Woven Tale Press Photography Competition (NY)
Submissions open July 15–September 15. Open to film, digital, Polaroid, photo collage, any photographic form. Can include mixed media, as long as the origin of the work is photographic. Cash prizes, first place award, one-week stay in expanded 1909 charming cape in the legendary Hamptons, NY, destination to artists from around the world; home to the Pollack-Krasner House, Parrish Art Museum, contemporary art galleries; accommodations for two; one block to NYC train, Atlantic ocean beach,and town; full amenities; flexible bookings. More information here.
CREATING CONNECTIONS: An Acquisition & Print Replication Project (MD)
Deadline: August 12. Maryland Art Place (MAP), in partnership with The CyberWire is pleased to announce an open ‘Call to Artists’. As an extension of MAP’s annual IMPRINT Project, MAP is working with The CyberWire to offer a unique opportunity to female visual artists of the greater Baltimore metropolitan area. Collectively, MAP and The CyberWire wish to acquire and possibly commission, time permitting, plus license the image of a work of art. The image of that artwork will be reproduced in a limited edition and presented to the guests of The CyberWire’s 5th Annual Women in Cyber Security reception on October 18, 2018. More information here.
Call For Entries: Rachel Reese Selects (GA)
Deadline: August 16. Atlanta Photography Group is now taking submissions for Rachel Reese Selects, APG’s feature exhibition for Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the month-long, citywide photography festival. The exhibition will be juried by Rachel Reese, the Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Telfair Museums in Savannah, GA. The Virginia Twinam Smith Award is an important part of this exhibition. Two works will be selected for a $500 prize and acquisition into the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia. For more information please visit the Atlanta Photography Group website.
1708 Gallery— Accepting Exhibition Proposals (VA)
Deadline: August 17. 1708 Gallery welcomes all artists to submit exhibition proposals. Our Exhibitions Committee reviews proposals annually. This committee includes professional artists from our Board, Curator, and Executive Director. Exhibition proposals are currently being considered for the year 2020. For more information and to submit a proposal, visit the1708 Gallery.
Squid Ink Gallery —Figure of Speech Call for Figurative Work (Online)
Deadline: August 20. We are now accepting submissions for our figure art event and competition! For this competition we have asked that artists submit their best and most expressive figure art pieces. We would like you to focus on body language and expression. Each piece should have a strong narrative, with the focus being on the human figure. This is an open medium show and we will also be accepting nude figure art. To learn more about this opportunity and apply, visit theFigure of Speech website.
6th Annual International Juried 2018 FL3TCH3R Exhibit (TN)
Deadline: August 22. Extended Deadline: August 23 – 31. In 2018, the international FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Social and Politically Engaged Art will enter its sixth year of sustaining the legacy of East Tennessee State University Art & Design student, Fletcher Dyer, who passed away in 2009. Artists should submit entries online or consult the prospectus. The extended deadline, with an additional fee, is Aug. 31, 2018. All artists must submit entries at the 2018 FL3TCH3R EXHIBIT site.
Washington, DC Residents —Apply Jackson Art Center Lease in Honor of Lisa Neher (DC)
Deadline: August 31. A free, one-year lease is available at DC’s Jackson Art Center in honor of long-time artist member Lisa Neher (1955– 2017). Lisa Neher (1955–2017) was a long-time artist member and vital force in the Jackson Art Center (JAC). In Lisa’s memory, starting in 2018, a rent-free studio will be awarded for one year to a local developing artist who has a demonstrated professional body of work within their respective discipline and wishes to advance to the next level. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a Washington, DC resident (Current JAC members, commercial artists, and full-time students may not apply.) For more information and to apply for this opportunityhere. Send a 1-2 page artist’s statement, resume, references, and samples of your artwork to Jackson Art Center artist Erika Cleveland.
The Limner Gallery — A Show of Heads (NY)
Deadline: August 31. “A SHOW OF HEADS” is an international, thematic group exhibition curated and hosted by the Limner Gallery October 18 – November 10, 2018. The exhibition is based on the portrayal and interpretation of the human head and is open for entry to all artists working in any media. Artists may submit portraiture, partial, composite or multiple interpretations of the head. Entry is online via email, instructions are posted at the Slow Art/ Limner Website.
Wundor Illustration Contest 2018 (International)
Deadline: August 31. The winner of the Wundor illustration contest will receive three paid commissions for Wundor book covers in 2019, subject to negotiation of fair and professional fees for each cover that are mutually acceptable to both parties. The contest is open internationally. May be a new and or up-and-coming artist or someone who is established. The winner and two runners up will have their work published and published on the Wundor website and on our social media accounts. The prize is open to anyone in the world who is 16 years of age or older. Entrance fee is £10 for one image. £15 for three images. There is no limit to the number of entries that illustrators may make. The competition is open to work created using any medium, digital or physical, and with any tools. Artwork should be submitted in JPEG or TIFF format. Entries will be judged onscreen. Learn more about Wundor and the illustration contest.
Shakespearemachine (IN)
Deadline: September 1. Artlink Contemporary Gallery, in collaboration with Shakespearemachine, is pleased to present an exhibition inspired by Shakespeare, from contemporary interpretations to classical renderings. This is a juried exhibition. Artists working in all mediums are encouraged to enter this exhibition. Artwork must have been created within the last two years and not have been previously exhibited at Artlink. Artwork must be original, reproductions will not be accepted. For more details visit the Artlink website.
The 37th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show 2019 — National Building Museum (DC)
Deadlines: September 7. Late Deadlines: September 8 – September 21.The Smithsonian Craft Show is a prestigious juried exhibition and sale of contemporary American craft in art and design held annually in Washington, DC. Three jurors who are experts in the field and newly selected each year choose 120 artists from a large pool of applicants. Artists are selected on the basis of the originality, artistic conception, and quality of their work. The show is produced by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee. Proceeds from the Show fund grants that benefit the Smithsonian’s education, outreach, research, and conservation programs. ACCEPTABLE MEDIA CATEGORIES: Basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Call for Solo & Group Exhibition Proposals (OH)
Deadline: September 7. The Fitton Center for Creative Arts, a community art center in Hamilton, Ohio, is accepting proposals in all visual art media for solo and group exhibitions for the 2019-2020 schedule. We also offer group shows of existing guilds or alliances and to individuals willing to be selected into a curated group show. A completed Online Submission Form that includes file uploads of 150-word Artist Statement, 150-word Presentation Statement, CV, 10 artwork JPEGS with corresponding Image List and $25 non-refundable fee are required for gallery proposals. Get full requirements and submit your proposal online at theFitton Center website.
Enter RITUALISMS at the Target Gallery (VA)
Deadline: September 9. Exhibition Dates: January 19–March 3, 2019. Juror: Katy Scarlett, independent curator. The Target Gallery invites artists working in all visual media to submit toRITUALISMS, a group exhibition that explores how rituals are an intrinsic part of the human experience. Whether it be through personal rituals, such as daily habits or quirks, or through a larger cultural context, such as religious or cultural ceremonies, the work in this exhibition will address the universality of rituals and how they foster connection or isolation.
The Center for Contemporary Art 2018 International Juried Exhibition (NJ)
Deadline: September 16. The Center for Contemporary Art’s annual International Juried Exhibition celebrates contemporary art by both established and emerging artists. The Center for Contemporary Art (“The Center”) is a vibrant regional non-profit art center with studio art classes, a summer art camp, rotating exhibitions and community outreach programs. Juror Midori Yoshimoto, Ph.D., will select work for inclusion in the exhibit and for three cash prizes. The Center’s Exhibitions Committee will review the body of work of each artists selected and choose one for a solo exhibit in 2019. Please check out The Center’s website for more details.
The Cup, The Mug 2018 (NY)
Deadline: September 24. Main Street Arts is now accepting submissions to our 3rd annual The Cup, The Mug exhibition. This national juried exhibition is open to all U.S. artists working in ceramics, glass, wood, or metal. Submissions must be cups, mugs, or other drinking vessels. 2018 Jurors: Ceramic artists Jenny Mendes and Melissa Weiss. For more information and to submit, visit the Main Street Art Gallery website.
New prize for women painters
Deadline: September 28. The recently announced Bennett Prize will spotlight women artists who paint in the figurative realist style, and who have not yet reached full professional recognition – both new artists and those who have painted for many years.
32nd annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition (TX)
Deadline: September 30. The Greater Denton Arts Council proudly presents the 32nd annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition. Recognized as one of the premier craft exhibitions in the country, Materials: Hard + Soft began in 1987 and was originally initiated by area artist Georgia Leach Gough. The exhibition celebrates the evolving field of contemporary craft and the remarkable creativity and innovation of artists who push the boundaries of their chosen media. Approximately 70 works will be selected by juror Janet McCall, Executive Director of the Contemporary Craft, for exhibition at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center in Denton, Texas.
2019 Post Graduation Residency Program (VA)
Deadline: October 7. Jurors: Nicole Dowd, program director of Halcyon Arts Lab and Leslie Holt, DC-based artist and co-director of Red Dirt Studios. The Torpedo Factory Post-Grad Residency is a competitive juried program that provides meaningful support and three-month term solo studio space. This residency is open to recently-graduated students who earned a bachelor’s or master’s art degree from an accredited university. The program is unique for addressing the critical post-graduation juncture in an emerging artist’s career, offering an opportunity for professional development, and a chance to define their independent work process outside of the academic context. Submissions are open for both art school students in the region and nationwide, provided nationwide artists submit proof of their permanent residence in the area and/or commitment of contributing to the ongoing future of the DC/Maryland/Virginia arts scene. Please read and review Guidelines before applying.
Small Works 2018 (NY)
Deadline: October 8. Main Street Arts is now accepting submissions to our 5th annual Small Works exhibition. This national juried exhibition of small artwork (12 inches or smaller in any direction) is open to artists working in all media excluding video/sound and installation art. For more information and to submit, visit the Main Street Art Gallery website.
Function: An exhibition of Contemporary Craft (GA)
Deadline: October 15. The Gallery at Sulfur Studios invites artists working in traditional craft media (ceramic, fibers, glass, metals, paper, and/or wood) to submit work to their fall juried exhibition, “Function”. Artists are encouraged to push the boundaries of what “functional” means, and work that is conceptual or satirical will be considered alongside more traditional craft forms. Visit www.sulfurstudios.org/function for more information and application instructions. Email [email protected] with any questions.
Call for Writing Submissions: Beyond Beautiful (MD)
Deadline: November 1. Maryland Art Place (MAP) is seeking writing submissions, love letters of all types, on behalf of “The One Thousand Love Letters Project” and the exhibition “Beyond Beautiful, created and curated by artist Peter Bruun. This exhibition is slated to open January 17, 2019 at Maryland Art Place, with a partner site for the exhibition located at Area 405.
Beyond Beautiful focuses on eight topics –information and guidelines here. Peter Bruun, both curator and artist, will use these love letters to create 1,000 artistic responses to be displayed in the exhibition at MAP and Area 405. To date, Bruun has created over 600 drawings using excerpts from participant’s letters to contribute to “The One Thousand Love Letters Project.” Letters do not need to be submitted based on the listed topics and can be submitted digitally or physically.
Spark Box Studio Dawson Residency Award and Bursary (Canada)
Deadline: March 1, 2019. This award is open to residents of North America. Spark Box Studio is accepting applications from emerging, mid-career, and established artists. One artist will receive a month-long residency at our studio in Prince Edward County, plus the $1,000 Dawson bursary. The selected applicant will be granted a semi-private studio space and be given access to the Spark Box Studio equipment and resources. As well, the winner will be provided with living accommodations for their month-long stay. We support a range of disciplines including; drawers, illustrators, painters, writers, printmakers, film makers, performance artists, multidisciplinary artists, curators, book makers, musicians and photographers (digital)
Ongoing:
Call for Artists: Maryland Art Place Seeks Proposals for Rotating Exhibition Partnership with Baltimore’s Hotel Indigo (MD)
Deadline: rolling. Maryland Art Place (MAP), in partnership with Hotel Indigo is pleased to announce an open ‘Call to Artists’. As an extension of MAP’s annual IMPACT public art partnership projects, MAP is working with Hotel Indigo to offer rotating exhibitions in Hotel indigo’s library and Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats. This opportunity is available to visual artists living or working in Maryland. Maryland Art Place will curate four exhibitions a year based on submissions entered through a rolling basis. Guidelines and information here.
Exhibit at Hotel Indigo (VA)
Artists works will displayed in the hotel’s gallery (220 S Union St, Old Town Alexandria) for a six-month period. Two-dimensional, framed works only. Artists will install the work using the hotel’s mounting hardware. Labels will be provided by the hotel. All sales handled by artist, no commission. Preference for local or locally influenced selections but not required. The space measures approximately 7’10” by 8’3.″ If interested, contact Kate Ellis, General Manager, [email protected].
The New Project Studio – Ongoing Opportunity (VA)
Ongoing. Located in Studio 8, the New Project Studio is a community-focused arts incubator space that offers a short-term location to test new program ideas, spotlight underrepresented voices, and enhance community engagement. Projects rotate on a regular basis. For more information, click here.
Public Arts Grants & Opportunities (VA)
Ongoing. The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts provides grants for nonprofit arts organizations as well as individual artists. See all current opportunities and online applications here.
NYC volunteer opportunity (NY)
Introduce NYC school children to the world of art by giving tours at The MET Museum. Volunteer in this year-round program. Visit us at awnyc.org for more information.
Residency: Maryland
Deadline: ongoing. Montgomery College, Rockville and Germantown Art Department is seeking proposals for its Artist-in-Residence Program, encouraging proposals that cultivate collaborative work between artists and students.
Looking for artists: Foundry Gallery (DC)
Deadline: ongoing. Foundry Gallery is seeking a few artists in the greater Washington, DC area. If interested in applying for membership please send up to five images (jpg attachments) and an email letter to: [email protected]. The oldest cooperative in Washington, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows at its beautiful space north of Shaw near the 9:30 Club.
Looking for artists: Printmakers (DC)
Deadline: ongoing. Washington Printmakers Gallery is seeking artist members specializing in printmaking, photography and book arts. An active cooperative for over 30 years, the gallery holds monthly solo and members’ group shows in its lovely space in upper Georgetown. Distant and shared memberships are available. If interested in applying for membership please email [email protected].
Looking for artists: Multiple Exposures Gallery (VA)
As of today, you can register for a brand-new year of workshops and the Fall term classes. Find it all here. You can check out the new 2018-2019 catalog online while print copies make their way to our offices and your mailboxes.
With 250+ classes and workshops this Fall in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry-making, the fiber arts, printmaking, and more, we have the perfect class for you!
We’re happy to announce many NEW additions to our faculty and curriculum this year.
The Art League asked Kathryn Mohrman, winner of Best in Show in our July Open Exhibit, some questions about her award winning photograph, her work, and her future travels.
What was your goal with this piece?
“I wanted to capture the skill and strength of the fisherman; you can see the muscles in his back and legs. I was also attracted by the unusual fishing method—I’d never seen anything like spearfishing before! Technically, I wanted to catch him in mid-air, so I set my camera on continuous shooting and pressed the shutter just as he took off from the boat. This image was the third or fourth in that series.”
Photograph by Kathryn Mohrman (used with permission)
What’s your creative process like, from an idea to a finished piece?
“At the big-picture level, I am interested in societies that are in transition from traditional to modern. These people respect the culture in which they were raised, but they also want the benefits of globalization. (For example, I assume that this fisherman uses a net to catch the fish that he sells for money).
Many of my photos are taken on trips to other countries so I am always looking for interesting people/situations/scenes, particularly when the light is good. Serendipity plays a huge role in my creative process—I need to be open to the moment.”
What story do you hope to tell through your photography?
“While my subjects are often seen as ‘exotic’ by viewers, I am also trying to convey our common humanity. We all seek happiness, love our families, create beauty (whether in wood carving or weaving or ceremonial masks or our homes), although we might do it in different ways. Right now we tend to focus too much on ‘otherness’ when in fact we have so much in common.”
Photograph by Kathryn Mohrman (used with permission)
Why are you a photographer? Does your previous career [in education] inform the work that you do now?
“I enjoy photography because it uses both left and right sides of my brain. I’m not a techie person although I’ve learned a great deal about the mechanics of my camera and the options in post-processing my images in the computer. But it’s the aesthetic and human aspects of the resulting images that are most important to me. And yes, there is a connection with my career in education. Most people will not have the chances I have had to travel to Kenya or Burma/Myanmar, so I can open their eyes to a wider world and foster an appreciation of other cultures.”
Your website showcases your travels and the photos you take while you’re on trips, how do you decide where to go next?
“Sometimes I have a fascination about a part of the world so I look for ways to get there. But sometimes an opportunity arises to go to somewhere that wasn’t on my Top 10 list. As long as people aren’t shooting at each other, I’m game to go! For example, I’m quite interested in Central Asia as a crossroads of East and West. I hope I’ll have a chance to see places like Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan in the future. And, I’ve never been to Greece; I need to experience the cradle of Western civilization.”
Photograph by Kathryn Mohrman (used with permission)
What are you working on now?
“In a few days I will be on my way to meet a group of photographers in Papua New Guinea; the highlight of the trip will be the Mt. Hagen sing-sing, a cultural festival where different groups compete with traditional singing and dancing. It should provide some great photo opportunities! (It may also be one of the most challenging places I’ve ever visited)
More generally, I am looking for ways to share my work with a wider audience, whether through The Art League or other venues. I’m always interested in exhibit opportunities, especially in the DMV area. I have several solo shows in the coming months, so I’ll need to prepare.”
Be sure to check out Kathryn’s photograph and the rest of the July Open Exhibit, open through August 5 in The Art League Gallery.
Kathryn Mohrman
About the Artist
Kathryn Mohrman recently retired from a career in education―from teaching sixth-grade students to PhD candidates, as well as serving in various administrative capacities. On different campuses she has taught social studies and public policy; in China and Hong Kong she taught American Studies and English language. Now in retirement she devotes her attention to photographs that demonstrate cultural differences and human universalities. Recent travels have taken her from Maine to California, Thailand to Cuba, China to Kenya. She has lived in the Washington, DC, area for more than 20 years, longer than any other place in her life.
The Art League asked William (Bill) Peirce, winner of the The Monkith Saaid Memorial Award for Best in Show – Sculpture in our July Open Exhibit, some questions about his award winning sculpture, how he creates his work, and woodworking.
How did this piece come together?
“I was thinking of making a vessel with a simple design—maybe just a series of simple parabolas of contrasting and complementing colorful exotic and domestic woods. I like the sense of movement that resulted.”
What is your creative process like, from an idea to a finished piece?
“Sometimes I first sketch a new pattern on a piece of paper, but I usually just look at my supply of wood, decide whether the next board I’m assembling will be made in rows from various wood species, random small or large pieces, balanced or asymmetrical, or a busy combination. New ideas and new patterns pop into my mind all the time. Occasionally, features of the wood suggest how I might highlight them in a bowl. My website shows the variety of possibilities.”
William Peirce
Why are you a sculptor? What is it about working three-dimensionally that you love?
“I’m a woodworker, so by default, whatever I make is three-dimensional. I have made a few ‘pure’ sculptures, but almost everything I make is functional craft.”
Vessel by William Peirce
What are you working on now?
“I love to create something completely different from what I’ve been making lately. So I’m having fun right now working on some complex patterns for new large bowls—some of them highly symmetrical and some quite irregular.”
How did you first learn this technique?
“Peter Petrochko, the grandmaster of band saw bowls, wrote an article in Fine Woodworking magazine in the 1980’s where he described his use of this technique. I think that making bowls from stacked laminations with a bandsaw is an old technique, although I was not aware of it until I saw his article. I became intrigued by the possibilities, although it wasn’t until I retired from college teaching ten years ago that I actually made my first band saw bowl.”
Vessel by William Peirce
What types of wood do you use in your pieces?
“Sometimes Mother Nature makes a beautiful board that I do nothing with except saw rings from it to let it shine. But usually I like to be creative and assemble the board by gluing together a variety of pieces of wood. I usually use exotic woods for their interesting colors, stripes, swirls, or figures.”
Be sure to check out Bill’s piece and the rest of the July Open Exhibit, open through August 5 in The Art League Gallery.
