Art World News, Events, Competitions, Exhibitions and more.
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UPDATED  for September 2010

20^th Anniversary - 1990-2010

Art World News 

The Met-Open Labor Day and More – Galleries, shops and dining areas at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC) will be open to the public on Monday, Sept. 6 (Labor Day), the next “Met Holiday Monday.”  The special viewing day is also the last opportunity for the public to see the popular exhibition Tutankhamun’s Funeral, which explores the materials and rituals associated with the burial of the pharaoh.  The Met has also announced that the landmark exhibition Picasso in The Metropolitan Museum of Art drew 703,256 visitors during its 17-week run, making it the most highly attended show since 2001.

Winner Lands Exhibition – The winner of Bravo’s Work of Art:  The Next Great Artist Television Series, Abdi Farah, currently has an exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum (NY).  Work of Art:  Abdi Farah is on view through Oct. 17 and highlights 10 artworks recently created in a variety of media.  Libation, a life-size sculpture of two young men sprawled on the floor and wearing sneakers, is the centerpiece of the exhibit.

Farah is a recent graduate of the U. of Penn.

Auction News – Christie’s has announced worldwide sales of $2.57 billion for the first six months of 2010, up significantly over last year’s figure for the same period.  They continued to lead at the highest levels of the art market, selling 75% of the works sold for over $50 million during this period, including Nude, Green Leaves and Bust by Picasso, which sold for $106.5 million, the highest price ever paid at auction for any work of art.

Fellows Nominated – After being nominated, more than 300 exceptional artists from across the country have applied for the 2010 USA Fellowships.  These artists come from 44 states and two territories and work in nearly every artistic practice, from traditional crafts to avant-garde modes.  This summer, eight discipline-specific panels of experts will meet in L.A. to review and select the awardees, who will be announced at a ceremony in New York on Dec. 7.  This year marks USA’s fifth anniversary and its $12.5 million investment in direct grants for individual artists.

NEA News – Twenty-one grants totaling $3 million have been awarded through the NEA Mayors’ Institute on City Design 25^th Anniversary Initiative.  MICD25 supports creative placemaking projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform sites into lively, beautiful and sustainable places with the arts at their core.  Grants range from $25,000 to $250,000 and were awarded to 21 communities ranging from Easton, PA, to Los Angeles, CA.  See details at www.nea.gov/national/MICD25/index.html.

Postal Stamp News – The new Negro Leagues Baseball stamp pays tribute to the all-black professional baseball leagues that operated from 1920 to about 1960.  A second commemorative stamp features the league’s founder, Andrew “Rube” Foster, who is considered the “father” of Negro Leagues Baseball.   Stamp artist Kadir Nelson also illustrated the award-winning book about the Negro Leagues, “We are the Ship” and “Testing the Ice:  A True Story about Jackie Robinson.”

Day Celebrated – Bring out the Play-Doh on September 16 to celebrate National Play-Doh Day.  Created in 1955 and on the market since 1956, Play-Doh has introduced countless children to working with “clay” and remained a popular child’s modeling compound.

Art Opportunities & Events

Schedules sometimes change, so call ahead!

Annual Outdoor Theater Production—Elektra – Getty Villa, Pacific Palisades, CA – Thursdays-Saturdays, Sept. 9 – Oct. 2, 8 p.m.  One of the poet Sophocles’ most elegant and haunting works, Elektra celebrates the human desire for justice and the costs exacted upon those who seek it.  Features Broadway star Annie Purcell and is directed by LA native Carey Perloff.  Also see the companion exhibition The Art of Ancient Greek Theater.  310.440.7300; www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/outdoor_theater.html.

Salmon Return—Family Festival - Olympic Sculpture Park – Seattle Art Museum – Sept. 11, Noon – 3 p.m.  Come out to the park for the last family festival for summer 2010.  The day will be filled with music, dancing, art making and more.  Free and open to the public.  www.seattleartmuseum.org.

Fall for the Arts Festival – Adrienne Arsht Center – Miami, FL – Sept. 12 – Noon to 6 p.m. – The best of Miami-Dade’s cultural and community service organizations come together to celebrate the kickoff of the arts season.  Free.  Visit the Miami Art Museum’s booth for special offers and info about upcoming exhibitions and programs.

Education and Community Partners Celebration – Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – Sept. 15, 5:30 – 7 p.m.  School, cultural, educational, civic and social organizations are invited to celebrate community partnership successes and begin conversations about future collaborations.  The event will also honor several partners with the inaugural “A Place for All People Award.” RSVP/Info by 9/10:  partnerships@mfag.org.

LOVE in the Garden – New Orleans Museum of Art – Sept. 24.  Enjoy the very best of New Orleans’ cuisine and spirits and dance under the stars in the Bestoff Sculpture Garden.  A Patron Party will be held 7-8 p.m. and a Garden Party from 8-11 p.m.  Ten local artists will be honored.  Dressy casual attire.  Tickets:  www.noma.org/lovetickets.html or call 504.658.4121.

—Minneapolis, MN – Open Field – Walker Art Center – Through Sept. 8.  Open Field is an experimental project that invites the public to help transform their big green backyard into a cultural commons.  You can make an activity to share with others and submit it to the Open Field calendar; come to a Center activity; or just do your own thing—surf on the lawn with free Wi-Fi, join in a spontaneous activity, sketch, check out equipment for relaxation and play from the Tool Shed, etc.  www.walkerart.org/openfield.

—Hudson Valley, New York State – 2010 Art Along the Hudson – In this seventh year, nine cities along the Hudson River—from Peekskill to Woodstock—celebrate the arts with exhibitions, open studio tours, street fairs and more.  Celebrations are anchored by rotating Saturdays that spotlight each of the cities.  Visit www.artalongthehudson.com and request a free brochure.

Glassblowers Needed! – The Corning Museum of Glass is looking for glassmakers to try out for the Blow Glass at Sea program aboard Celebrity Cruises’ new Solstice class ships.  You must be articulate, friendly and hard working, as well as an expert glassblower.  Successful tryout candidates will be invited to Corning, NY, to train for three to four weeks before being scheduled for an assignment at sea (minimum of three months).  http://www.cmog.org/dynamic.aspx?id=10482.

New Internship: “Art Around the Corner” – The National Gallery of Art has announced a new 2010-2011 Internship in the Museum Profession in the department of teacher, school and family programs.  The intern will assist with multiple-visit programs, including Art Around the Corner, the Gallery’s partnership program with DC public schools and with other outreach programs for underserved youth and family audiences.  Required are knowledge of current research in museum education and learning theory, experience teaching children and a proven ability to teach students in exhibition spaces.  A background in art history, studio art, photography or new media is welcome.  202.842.6257. www.nga.gov/education/interned.htm.

GRAPHAIDS ART & DIGITAL SUPPLIES TO BE THE RETAILER PARTNER FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL LEARNING & PRODUCT EXPO: ART! PASADENA.
Fishback/Gruen, LLC is pleased to announce that Graphaids Art & Digital Supplies will be the retailer partner for the 6th Annual Learning & Product Expo: Art! Pasadena. The Artist’s Magazine, Watercolor Magic and The Pastel Journal, published by F + W Media will continue to be the magazine sponsors of the expo. Learning & Product Expo: Art! Pasadena will take place October 22-24, 2010 at the Pasadena Conference Center and adjacent Pavilion.

Graphaids, owned by the Festa family, has five locations in the Greater Los Angeles area: Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westchester, Agoura Hills, and their newest location, Long Beach. Graphaids will actively promote the expo throughout the year to its extensive customer base. “We are thrilled to be a part of this event that serves the local community of artists in Los Angeles.” said Chip Festa.

The Lisle expo is cancelled for 2010. Learning & Product Expo: Art! took place from 2007-2009 at the Hickory Ridge Marriott in the western suburbs of Chicago in Lisle, IL.

Exhibit information and deadlines for Pasadena will be available soon.

For more information, contact:
Irene Gruen ,Partner
Fishback/Gruen, LLC
Tel: 310-463-4948
E-mail: Irene@FishbackGruen.com
Or Gail Fishback,Partner
Fishback/Gruen, LLC
Tel: 917-435-2838
E-mail: Gail@FishbackGruen.com

Exhibitions

Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit Fall 2010 Show – New York City – Sept. 4-6 and 11-12.  The show takes place on the sidewalks of University Place, from East 12^th St. south along the side of Washington Square Park, through Schwartz Plaza to West 3^rd St.  Now in its 80^th year, the exhibit is free to the public and features fine arts and fine crafts for viewing and purchase.  www.wsoae.org.

Stockbridge, MA - Scout Programs

Interested in an opportunity for Scouts to complete an art-based badge? The Norman Rockwell Museum offers programs designed to deepen Scouts’ understanding of the life and work of Norman Rockwell while fulfilling certain badge requirements.  Programs are available for selected levels of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.  www.nrm.org or call 413.298.4100, ext. 260.

Washington, D.C. - Summer Drop-In Programs

The National Gallery of Art free summer drop-in programs are organized into two series:  Stories in Art (ages 4-7) and Artful Conversations (ages 8-11)—designed to engage children and parents with works of art in the galleries.  Space is limited to 70 per session and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. http://www.nga.gov/programs/family/. 202.789.3030.

Chicago Picture Book Exhibition

The Art Institute of Chicago presents Everyday Adventures Growing Up:  Art from Picture Books.  An integral component of picture books, the artworks bring stories to life, presenting new and familiar situations in surprising and engaging ways.  Included are works of Nancy Carlson, Timothy Basil Ering and Peter McCarty.  After viewing, families are invited to visit the Vitale Family Room and enjoy their favorite picture books together.  Through Nov. 28.

Masterpieces from the Musee d’Orsay:  The Birth of Impressionism – FAMSF, The de Young – San Francisco, CA – This exhibition debuts on May 22 and runs through Sept. 6. It includes approximately 100 paintings from the Musee d'Orsay’s permanent collection and highlights the work of William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Gustave Courbet, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley and James Abbott McNeill Whistler, among others.  The Musee d’Orsay is lending their most beloved paintings while it undergoes a partial closure for refurbishment and reinstallation in anticipation of the museum’s 25^th anniversary in 2011.  This exhibition will be followed in the fall by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne and Beyond:  Post Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musee d’Orsay.  The de Young will be the only museum in the world to host both exhibitions. The “Le Passeport” affinity card includes discounts and special offers all over Northern California.  Receive your card when you purchase tickets to the exhibitions.  www.famsf.org.

Picasso:  Themes and Variations – MoMA, NYC – This exhibition traces the evolution of Picasso’s creative process and artistic vision through decades of experimentation in etching, lithography and linoleum cut from the artist’s Blue and Rose periods to his discovery of Cubism.  Thematic groupings of works illustrate how printmaking inspired new directions by allowing the artist to build and document his compositions in various stages and how his imagery underwent a constant process of metamorphosis.  Through Sept. 30.

Remember the Ladies:  Women of the Hudson River School – Cedar Grove-The Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Catskill, NY – Opening May 2, this is the first known exhibition in the U.S. to focus solely on the women artists associated with the 19^th century landscape painting movement.  Included are approximately 25 works of art—paintings, embroidered landscapes, photography and drawing manuals—by artists such as Julia Hart Beers, Evelina Mount, Susie Barstow, Eliza Greatorex and others, as well as paintings by Thomas Cole’s own sister Sarah Cole and daughter Emily Cole.  Through Oct. 31.  www.thomascole.org; 518.943.7465.

Exhibition: On view at the Detroit Institute of Arts is Government Support for the Arts: WPA Prints from the 1930s. Featured are around 100 prints created under the Federal Art Project, where artists created editions of original prints in all mediums, but lithographs, woodcuts, linoleum cuts and wood engravings dominate the media on view in this exhibition. Also, just outside the prints exhibition is a painting by John Sloan, Fourteenth Street at Sixth Avenue, completed in 1934 for the Public Works of Art Project.

New NGAKids Interactive
Photo Op is a two-part interactive program that explores digital photography and digital photo editing techniques. Young children will enjoy taking snapshots with a virtual camera and transforming their pictures with easy-to-use editing tools, while more advanced users can create complex artistic compositions by layering, applying filters and experimenting with various photographic settings, special effects and blends. This Art Zone interactive is suitable for all ages. www.nga.gov/kids/zone/photoop.htm .

Dallas, TX – Nasher Sculpture Center – Highlights from the Nasher Collection, through Sept.6, includes approximately 100 works installed in indoor galleries and the sculpture garden.  View masterworks by artists such as Rodin, Matisse, Giacometti, Arp, Ernst, Miro, Lichtenstein, Judd, Lewitt, and David Smith, among others.  A special feature is the inclusion of Isaac Witkin’s Volution (1964), on loan for a year.  Summer offerings at the Nasher also include movies, concerts, tours and fine cuisine.  When you purchase a $35 Summer Family Pass, you can enjoy free admission for the entire family all summer.  214.242.5100; www.nashersculpturecenter.org.

New York, NY – Museum of Modern Art – Sculpture in Color, this summer’s installation in The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, celebrates the bold use of color in modern and contemporary sculpture.  Highlights include works by Ellsworth Kelly, Anthony Caro and Franz West in addition to those by Guimard, Calder, Giacometti, Picasso and others. 212.708.9400. www.moma.org.

Mountainville, NY – Storm King Art Center – Storm King Wavefield is the largest site-specific earthwork created to date by acclaimed artist and environmentalist Maya Lin.  Occupying an 11-acre site, the work comprises seven rows—each over 300 feet long—of carefully scaled undulating hills that give the appearance of ocean waves.  845.534.3115. www.stormking.org.

Because events are subject to change, please call ahead or confirm whenever possible.

Art Competitions/Call for Entries

77^th Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature – The Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C. - The Mansion at Strathmore, N. Bethesda, MD – Nov. 21 – Dec. 30.  Open to all artists.  Original works in any traditional media, prints from original plates or sculptures will be considered.  The overall area of the image must not exceed 25 square inches, the outside dimension of the frame must not exceed 56 square inches and sculptures may not exceed 6 inches in any dimension. Awards:  $6,000.   www.mpsgs.org.  Deadline:  Sept. 25.

Past is Present—Contemporary Approaches to Historical Decorative Arts and Design – The Columbus Museum, Columbus, GA.  May 5 – Aug. 5, 2012.  Open to all artists residing in the continental U.S.  This exhibition will explore reinterpretations of textile work, including embroidery and beadwork; ceramics, such as transfer ware and figurines; portraiture, including miniature paintings and silhouettes; furniture-making, such as marquetry and tall-case clocks; stained glass; and other traditional American decorative arts forms.  www.columbusmuseum.com/pastispresent/.  Deadline:  Oct. 1.

Fellowship Deadlines – National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC – In preparation for the new academic year at the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, you are invited to view current fellowship deadlines and application materials.  The Visiting Senior Fellowship Program application deadline is Sept. 21 for the award period March 1 – Aug. 15, 2011; the Senior Fellowship Program application deadline is Oct. 15 for the award period of academic year 2011-2012; and the A. W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship Program application deadline is Nov. 1 for the award period of academic years 2011-2013.  www.nga.gov/casva.

―Art Fair San Francisco – Concourse Exhibition Center – Nov. 19-21- This event features most categories of contemporary fine art—2- and 3-dimensional painting, photography, digital art, sculpture, glass art, etc.  The mission is to bring contemporary fine art from today’s emerging young talent as well as established artists all under one roof.  Submit five images of your work for judging. There are a limited number of booth spaces per category.  Deadline:  Sept. 1.  http://artfairsanfrancisco.com/submission.html.

―The Allied Artists of America—97^th Annual Exhibition 2010 – National Arts Club Galleries, NYC, Nov. 12-30 – Open to all artists.  Works eligible include paintings in oil, watermedia, pastel and graphics; sculpture in the round or relief.  All subjects and styles are eligible:  traditional, contemporary and abstract.  $24,000 in cash awards and medals.  Deadline:  Sept. 13.  http://alliedartistsofamerica.org/prospectus.htm.

―Spectra 2010 – National Photography Triennial - Silvermine Guild Arts Center, New Canaan, CT – Nov. 14-Dec. 23.  Residents of the U.S. only are eligible and may submit original photography completed since Jan. 2007.  $1,000 Best in Show plus additional awards.  Deadline:  Sept. 14.  203.966.9700, Ext. 26; http://silvermineart.org/files/call_for_entries/Prospectus.pdf.

―Where do You Draw the Line? – Workshop –National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – Wednesdays from 2-3 p.m. until September 15 – Drop-in drawing workshop for adult beginners inspired by classes run by young British artists Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas in 1990’s London.  Let your inhibitions go and allow your creativity to take over while you explore works from the Gallery’s collection in a new way.  Workshops are bilingual and last 60 minutes.  Free with Gallery admission. http://www.gallery.ca/poplife/workshops.htm?submenuheader=2.

―6^th Annual Learning & Product Expo: ART! – Juried Art Show/Workshops/Exhibit Hall – Pasadena Conference Center (CA) – Oct. 22-24 – This Expo is a 4-day event that consists of a workshop program of 200 art classes in all mediums and techniques as well as an exhibit hall of art material manufacturers.  Learn about art products directly from the manufacturers and see free demonstrations.  The Juried Art Show is growing into a prestigious venue for artists and is open to all fine artists over the age of 18 and able to hand-deliver their artwork to the Conference Center on Oct. 20.  All works must be originals conceived and created entirely by the entrant.  Cash and product awards.  Deadline:  Sept. 17.  www.learningproductexpo.com.

―Grants for 2011 Arts Projects – The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has announced guidelines for 2011.  Each year LMCC awards grants in every artistic discipline, across Manhattan’s neighborhoods, through The Fund for Creative Communities and the Manhattan Community Arts Fund.  Both of these programs provide grants of up to $5,000 to arts organizations and individual artists for quality arts projects.  Deadline:  Sept. 21. www.lmcc.net.

―Christian Marclay:  Festival – Photo/Video Pool – Whitney Museum of American Art, NYC.  Visitors are invited to participate in the collective documentation of the exhibition by taking photos and videos in the performance space on the fourth floor.  Join the Festival Flickr group and upload your images and video to the pool for a chance to see them featured on whitney.org as the exhibition grows and changes via daily live performances.  Through Sept. 26.  www.whitney.org/Exhibitions/ChristianMarclay.

―Sugarloaf Craft Festivals – Artist applications for Spring 2011 shows are now available online.  Exhibitors at Sugarloaf Festivals are jury-selected based on the quality, craftsmanship and uniqueness of their designs in the following mediums:  clothing and textiles, fine arts, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, paintings and prints, photography, pottery, wood, miscellaneous and mixed media and specialty foods.  www.SugarloafCrafts.com/becomeex.html.

Sierra Pastel Society 8^th International Exhibition:  Pastels on High – Hang It Up Gallery, El Dorado Hills, CA – Oct. 1–23.  All artists working in soft pastels are eligible and original work must have been created in the last three years. Awards total over $5,000.  See http://www.sierrapastelsociety.net/inter.html. Entry Deadlines:  Digital, July 31; Shipped, Sept. 25; Hand-delivered on Sept. 30.

The Allied Artists of America 97^th Annual Exhibition – National Arts Club Galleries, NYC – Nov. 12-30.  Open to all artists, eligible works include paintings in oil, watermedia, pastel and graphics; sculpture in the round or relief.  All subjects and styles are eligible.  Awards total $24,000. Deadline:  Sept. 13.  See www.alliedartistsofamerica.org/prospectus.htm.

WORKSHOPS

Basic Airbrush Techniques
6-Hour Hands-On Workshop
with Robert Paschal, MFA
Saturday, November 13, 2010 – Beacon, NY
and
Saturday, December 4th, 2010 - Beacon, NY