New Awards Program Seeks to Commission Local Artisan

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The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is currently seeking an artisan in the National Capital Region (District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, Suburban Maryland) to create four awards for a pilot Climate and Energy Leadership Awards Program.

We have a few thoughts as to what the design could include but mostly want to leave it open to the creativity of the artist. We are looking for a unique design that is a “conversation piece.” For instance, something that a local elected official can bring to a community event and discuss with citizens. We are not looking for a 2-dimensional certificate or plaque. Environmental aspects are also preferable. For instance, the award could be made from recycled materials. The award could (but is not required to) incorporate the COG logo and/or the award program’s design.

A 2-5 page proposal that includes the design concept and a cost proposal is due by Monday, June 30, 2014. Please include weblinks and/or photos of sample artwork/galleries in the proposal.Cost proposal should not exceed at total of $4,999. The awards will need to be completed and delivered to COG by Friday, August 29, 2014.

The work of the selected artist will be authorized through a purchase order/fixed price agreement. Initial payment will be made upon award with final payment made upon delivery of the completed awards. Total compensation will be based on the cost proposal associated with the selected artisan. If the program is continued beyond 2014, there is potential for additional commission(s) in 2015 and beyond.

Submit proposals to Maia Davis (mdavis@mwcog.org, 202-962-3227).

Music Monday!

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Reginald F. Lewis Museum

Third Thursday Series: Spice Band

This perennial audience favorite is back by popular demand. The versatility of the band spans traditional jazz, contemporary, fusion, R&B, and original music. Spice has shared the stage with such notable entertainers as The Drifters, Sheila Ford, and Gabrielle Goodman.

Spice Band.

This performance is part of the museum’s monthly Third Thursday Series. On the third Thursday of the month, the museum is open until 8pm. For just $5, you can visit the galleries and enjoy a live performance. Performances begin at 6pm.

Click here to RSVP for this event. Note: You will still need to buy museum admission.

Date and Time:
Thursday, June 19, 5:00 pm

For more information call 443-263-1800

The Rubys: Artist Project Grants

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The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) is excited to announce the second cycle of the RUBYS, project-based grants that provide up to $10,000 directly to individual artists who live in Baltimore or the five surrounding counties.

Artists may apply for one grant in one of four discipline categories—Performing Arts, Media Arts, Visual Arts, Literary Arts—and grants will be awarded in each discipline category. Artists may apply for grants of up to $10,000 to be applied to a project over a 12-month period.

Submission deadline is Monday, June 30, 2014

To apply visit http://baltimoreculture.org/programs/rubys/

 

The Elephants Unveiled

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The elephants in Druid Hill Park have arrived at last. Check out photos from yesterday’s unveiling ceremony:

Painted by ALCO

One of the baby elephants painted by ALCO

One of five elephants meandering through the park

One of five elephants meandering through the park

 

Deborah Patterson sporting her pink elephant purse

Deborah Patterson sporting her pink elephant purse

Artist Barbara Thompson in the spotlight

Artist Barbara Thompson in the spotlight

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Deborah goes through the list of dozens of people who helped make this project a reality

Deborah introduces the Elephants: a project 2 years in the making

Will Backstrom from PNC Bank describes the birth of the Transformative Art Prize

Will Backstrom from PNC Bank describes the birth of the Transformative Art Prize

Randi Vega & Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Randi Vega & Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Artist Barbara Thompson

Artist Barbara Thompson

 

Randi Vega & Will Backstrom, the masterminds behind the PNC Transformative Art Prize

Randi Vega & Will Backstrom, the masterminds behind the PNC Transformative Art Prize

Digital Photography Class at School 33 Art Center

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Are you overwhelmed with all the features of your digital (DSRL) camera? Or perhaps you were hoping your images could look a little more creative or visually interesting? Professional photographer and artist Randall Gornowich brings over 18 years of teaching experience to this series of classes in basic digital photography which he designed for the beginner and intermediate student. In this class you will learn camera basics, simple technical ins and outs and elements of design as you take on weekly creative assignments. By the end you will understand how to create more interesting compositions and solve many photographic challenges. Class will include short lectures, handouts, projected presentations, demos and critiques.

Introduction to Digital Photography – a photo class taught by Randall Gornowich

Randall Gornowich photo

Class will be held four Saturdays in a row, from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

July 12th, July 26th, August 2nd, August 9th. 

Registration costs $135, and is open to students age 18 and up.

For more information about classes offered at School 33, please visit their website.  Call 443-263-4350 or email Quinn Palmer, School 33 Education Coordinator, to register!

Maryland Art Place Request for Proposals: IMPACT 2014

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SITE: Hopkins Plaza

Application Deadline: Saturday, June 21, 2014 by 5pm

Maryland Art Place (MAP) is now accepting applications for its fall 2014 IMPACT project. IMPACT is an annual, public art program developed to extend Maryland Art Place’s reach to broader audiences. Each IMPACT project is unique and developed based on the partnering site. MAP plans to sponsor roughly three to four IMPACT projects over the course of 2014.

This fall, MAP is partnering with the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. The Downtown Partnership is offering Hopkins Plaza in downtown Baltimore for an artist or team of artists to create an original temporary outdoor installation based on light. Artists are strongly encouraged to visit Hopkins Plaza prior to submission. A small area or the entire plaza area may be incorporated for this installation (see images below). MAP and the Downtown Partnership encourage proposals using light and/or light elements. The proposed work(s) must be able to withstand the weather elements and may not block any of the sidewalks or security measures in place. Suggested installations may also include: sound, projections, etc. Because potentially proposed work will include the use of electricity, a schedule of illuminated hours will be made available to the public for viewing.

Eligibility: This call for proposals is open to all artists residing in the state of Maryland.

**Please note that work should be appropriate for viewers of all ages.

The selected artist/artist team will receive a $750 stipend to cover the cost of materials and direct costs of the project. Installation is scheduled to take place the last two weeks of September 2014. MAP and the Downtown Partnership will host an opening reception at the site on October 3, 2014. Press Announcements will be produced announcing the selected artist or artist team the last week of July.

Please send your proposal to impact@mdartplace.org by 5pm on June 21, 2014. Along with your application, you are welcome to submit up to 3 images or illustrated sketches. Past installation work samples will also be accepted.

Click here to download the full application.

Call for Artists! American Landscapes: Scenes from the Americas

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The Maryland Fedration of Art (MFA) invites all artists residing in United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico to enter American Landscapes: Art of the Americas, a juried fine art exhibition for work depicting the Americas – North America, Hawaii, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Any 2-D and 3-D work following exhibition guidelines will be considered by the juror. Selected works will be exhibited at MFA Circle Gallery.

  • Exhibition Dates: August 15 – September 14, 2014
  • Show Chair: Richard Niewerth
  • Submissions Deadline: June 19, 2014
  • Juror: Peter Van Dyck, Professor Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
  • Download printable prospectus (pdf)

Terms of Entry for Exhibitions

All work and entries must comply with MFA Exhibition Guidelines.  Detailed Exhibition and Presentation Guidelines can be accessed HERE, and also during the online entry process.

Eligibility

  • Only residents of the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada are eligible to enter.

Work

  • A maximum of 6 original works created within the past 3 years may be entered.
  • Works previously exhibited in a juried show at Circle Gallery are not eligible.
  • Works may not exceed 72 inches in width, height or depth, including the frame, unless otherwise specified for a particular exhibit.
  • All work must be signed by the artist and all photographs and hand-pulled prints must be numbered.

Entries and Submission Fees

  • Entries must be submitted online.
  • Entry fees are $35 (MFA members, $20) for one or two entries and $5 each for up to four additional entries.  Entry fees are non-refundable.
  • To enter online, you will need an MFA account that includes an email address and a password.  There is no charge to create an MFA account
  • Images must be in JPEG files less than 2MB with the recommended longest pixel dimension between 1600 and 2000 pixels (maximum).
  • Images of accepted works may be used at the sole discretion of MFA for promotional purposes including but not limited to the invitation, catalog, web site or on a subsequent year’s prospectus.  Image will include attribution whenever possible.