Staff Reads with Tracy Baskerville, Communications Director for BOPA

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1. What book are you currently reading?

I just finished reading the book “Nothing Stays Buried” by P.J. Tracy, and now I’m starting “Monkeewrench” by the same author. P.J. Tracy is a pseudonym for a mother/daughter duo. I received “Nothing Stays Buried” as a gift and really enjoyed it. I discovered the book is the latest release in a series, so now I’m going back to read first book in the series.

2. What do you enjoy the most about the book?

I love mysteries, so this was a good one. I like that it had several lead characters, and the reader gets to hear from each of them in their own voice. I enjoyed finding out how each of the characters are connected.

3. Why would you recommend this book to others?

Yes, I would recommend this book especially to mystery lovers.

4. What authors are you excited to see at this year’s Baltimore Book Festival?

I’m looking forward to seeing April Ryan with Bill Whittaker. I think that will be a good discussion centering on current events.

5. Can you provide any tips for first-time attendees?

First-time Baltimore Book Festival attendees should be prepared to stay for a couple of hours. There is so much to do. From music to food to literary games, the festival is really a great place to spend the day.

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The Baltimore Book Festival returns to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor through Sunday, September 30, 2018 from 11am to 7pm daily. The literary arts celebration features acclaimed local, regional and national authors, readings on multiple stages, cooking demonstrations and samplings, workshops, panel discussions, storytellers, children’s activities, the annual Storybook Parade, live music, and food and beverage. Visit www.baltimorebookfestival.org.

Call for Artists: Public Art (Havre de Grave, MD)

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Open Call for Public Sculpture:

Watermen’s Heritage Sculpture

Concord Point Park, Havre de Grace, Maryland

Project Overview:

The City of Havre de Grace, MD, the Public Arts Committee and partners are seeking a sculpture that will reflect the maritime culture of Havre de Grace and raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy Chesapeake Bay to our ecological system.

The sculpture must be designed for outdoor installation on the waterfront. The anticipated footprint for the sculpture is to be no larger than 100 square feet. The installation may include a base, which could incorporate a plinth, slab or inground anchors for the sculpture. The proposed site is on the water front in Concord Point Park. The sculpture must be large enough to be visible from the water.

The total cost to purchase and install the sculpture is not to exceed $20,000.

For a full prospectus and application, please go to:

http://communityprojectshdg.org/wordpress/public-art/

Call for Artists: 10×10

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Arts Every Day’s 2019 10×10 Exhibit is inspired by the efforts centered around the Baltimore Ceasefire movement who work
tirelessly throughout the city to build empathy and compassion and send messages of peace while promoting:

  • non-violent conflict resolutions through resources, community gatherings, and outreach
  • respect for others and oneself through conversations and making connections with one another
  • celebration of life through life-affirming events where stories are shared
  • respect and understanding of community through encouraging youth to explore their city

Exhibition: January 10th – February 28rd, 2019
Reception: January 27th, 4-7 PM  at the Motor House, 120 W. North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Curated by: Members of Baltimore Ceasefire

Requirements:

  • Current Baltimore City Public Schools teacher or student
  • Create 10in. x 10in. art pieces OR submit a video performance no longer than three (3) minutes  (Please note: this is a curated exhibition and we may not be able to accommodate all submissions.)
  • Drop off final work and signed artist release forms to Motor House by Dec. 14th by 5pm

Contact: Betty Gonzales, Communications and Development Coordinator at betty@artseveryday.org or 410-685-1172

Call for Artists: Transformer (DC)

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Transformer is a Washington, DC-based 501 (c) 3 non-profit, artist-centered organization that connects and promotes emerging artists locally, nationally, and internationally.

Transformer’s mission is to provide a consistent, supportive, and professional platform for emerging artists to explore and present experimental artistic concepts, build audiences for their work and advance their careers, while increasing dialogue, understanding, and audiences for new & best contemporary visual arts practices.

As an artist-centered organization, Transformer is committed to providing all participating artists and curators W.A.G.E certified rates for honorariums, budget for material costs as well as travel/accommodation support as needed/feasible.(up to $5,000 budgeted per exhibition).

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Artist Megan Lewis Selected for North Avenue Rising Metro Subwaylink Station Public Art Project

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Image credit: Jeff & Aisha Butler of Jazzy Studios

Baltimore-based artist Megan Lewis has been chosen to create new public artwork for the Penn-North Metro SubwayLink station. The inclusion of the artwork, which is intended to focus on the history and culture of the Penn-North community, is part of North Avenue Rising, a project that includes transportation investments across the North Avenue corridors and is supported by a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant.  The North Avenue Rising will improve transit connectivity and accessibility along the East to West North Avenue corridor, while the investment in new artwork will improve the commuter experience within the station and provide visitors an opportunity for self-reflection.

The artwork created by Lewis will be the first new artwork commissioned for the Baltimore Metro SubwayLink system since the stations were built more than 30 years ago, and will be the first artwork by a black woman artist commissioned for Maryland’s transit system. Lewis joins the ranks of artists like Romare Bearden, Patricia Alexander, Paul Daniels, Mary Ann Mears and others who have artwork commissions located along the Baltimore Metro SubwayLink line.

The North Avenue Rising Penn-North Station project is Lewis’s first public art commission. The artist has been an active and well-regarded member of Baltimore’s arts community. A past Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance Urban Arts Leadership Fellow, Lewis began translating her work into public murals in the summer of 2015 through Art @ Work, an award-winning partnership between BOPA and Jubilee Arts. Since that time, she has been an Art @ Work teaching artist four years in a row, and has completed seven murals across the city. Her mural, Lady Liberty Please Know Thy Self, located at 1800 Baker Street, made national news when singer-songwriter Alicia Keys visited Baltimore for “Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America” presented by A+E Networks. The artist will begin designing the artwork for the station this fall, with installation scheduled in 2020.

Meet Lewis and hear about her creative process during an artist talk on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 from 6pm to 8pm at Arch Social Club, located at 2426 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217. The event is hosted by Cultureworks and part of BOPA’s Free Fall Baltimore.

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More information on North Avenue Rising can be found at www.northavenuerising.com.

Staff Reads with Ryan Patterson, Public Art Administrator for BOPA

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1. What book are you currently reading?

I just finished Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. It’s a graphic novel memoir described as a “Family Tragicomic.” The book documents the author and artist’s relationship with her family as she grew up focusing on her father and how his personality and temperament affected her and the household. As Allison discovered she was a lesbian and came out of the closet to her parents, it uncovered a family secret that her father was also gay.

2. What do you enjoy the most about the book?

I really appreciate the ways great cartoonists can shape a story and the mood they are conveying through the combination of drawing and narrative. Allison conveys this extremely well. I think the story felt very personal to me for a number of reasons, but it is also a very universal experience to grow up and find out that your family or parents are far more nuanced and less black and white, right and wrong then they seemed when you are a child.

3. Why would you recommend this book to others?

We had given this book to my sister-in-law as a gift. I borrowed it back from them because the book has been turned into a musical and it is coming to Baltimore Center Stage in January. I bought tickets for the family and that was a great reason to finally read the book. It’s so exciting that this production is coming to Center Stage and I’d recommend anyone read the book and go see the show while it’s here.

4. What authors are you excited to see at this year’s Baltimore Book Festival?

I’m always excited to see what unexpected authors I meet or run into at the Book Festival. Some of my children’s favorite YA authors are people I’ve met working at or perusing the festival. There is so much talent that comes through, from the programmed tents to the self-published authors. If you go with an open mind, you won’t be disappointed.

5. Can you provide any tips for first-time attendees?

If something catches your eye or your ear don’t be shy, meet the author, ask questions about their work and take a chance. It’s wonderful to discover new artists and authors through direct interactions.

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The Baltimore Book Festival returns to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on Friday, September 28 through Sunday, September 30, 2018 from 11am to 7pm daily. The literary arts celebration features acclaimed local, regional and national authors, readings on multiple stages, cooking demonstrations and samplings, workshops, panel discussions, storytellers, children’s activities, the annual Storybook Parade, live music, and food and beverage. Visit www.baltimorebookfestival.org.

Call for Artists: Solos at Arlington Art Center

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The Exhibitions department at Arlington Arts Center is now accepting proposals for our Spring Solos 2019 Exhibition.
Please see the attached file to view the Open Call flyer and share it with your networks/database. Alternatively, you can find more details below:
 
AAC’s SOLOS exhibitions program supports the work of emerging contemporary artists in the Mid-Atlantic region. Each year, AAC accepts proposals from artists for solo exhibitions to take place in one of AAC’s seven separate gallery spaces. Proposals are accepted through an open call and selected by guest jurors, in consultation with AAC staff. The resulting program presents a suite of cutting-edge exhibitions which include artwork in a variety of media.
 
WHO CAN SUBMIT?
Artists who produce contemporary art in any media, and who live or work in the Mid-Atlantic region (defined as Virginia; Washington, DC; Maryland; West Virginia; Pennsylvania; or Delaware) may submit exhibition proposals. Any existing works must have been completed within the last 3 years in order to be considered. Proposals that specifically take into account AAC’s exhibition spaces are encouraged.
 
GUEST JURORS
Peter Winant, Director, School of Art, George Mason University and co-founder, Workingman Collective
Natalie Campbell, Independent Curator
 
DATES
Exhibition Dates: April 13 to June 8, 2019
Submission Deadline: Monday, October 15, 2018
Notification Date: December 2018
 
CONTACT US
703 248 6800