A brand spanking new series of work!

For the last few months I've been working on a series of pieces based on Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I've been combining Glass, Paint, Steel, Wood, Concrete, found objects, stencils,  LED's, electroluminescent lighting and video. All the fun stuff! The series was funded, in part, from a grant I received from the District of Columbia's Commission on the Arts and Humanities and will be hosted by the architecture firm Weibenson and Dorman in the 410 Goodbuddy Gallery.

I wanted to start with the fun, absurdist, creative stories of  Lewis Carrol's story, using my own imagery, visual language and (very) loose interpretations, riddled with a personal take on metaphors and combine that with materials I have been using and with materials that are very new to me. The desire to include video and lighting in my work was the original impetus for this project.


Please join me at the reception for this exhibition

Friday September 28th
5-8 PM
410 Good Buddy Gallery
410 Florida Avenue NW
Washington, DC

Art. Craft. Design. at Arlington Art Center. Call for entries.

CALL FOR ENTRIES JURIED EXHIBITION 2013 APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 19, 2012 NOTIFICATION DATE: November 5, 2012 EXHIBITION DATES: January 18 - March 24, 2013 AAC is very pleased to announce two exciting jurors, Melissa Messina, Senior Curator at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and Kathryn Wat, Chief Curator at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, who will select the artwork for Interwoven.  This exhibition seeks to emphasize and expand the creative dialog around the every-blurring boundaries between craft, design, and fine art. The jurors are especially interested in artists who explore DIY practices, engage in the reclamation of craft-based materials, re-examine design aesthetics, and otherwise reinvent cross-disciplinary genres within the dialog of contemporary art. Artists may submit examples of up to three projects, completed in the last three years, for consideration. The jurors will pick as many projects from a given artist as they like. The show is open to cutting edge contemporary artists working in any/all media, and who live or work in Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, or Pennsylvania.  Application forms can be found on the AAC website.  aac: arlington arts center 3550 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201  p 703-248-6800     f 703-248-6849 www.arlingtonartscenter.org

Bloomingdale-Bates-Eckington Festival!

The North Capitol Main Streets neighborhoods of Bloomingdale, Eckington, and Bates (Truxton Circle) will be hosting a block party on Sunday October 7th from noon-8.

There will be music and children's activities from Noon to 8PM (Live Jazz, DJ & Live Rock Band).

There will also be artists and other vendors.

check out the information here to apply 

Summit of Awesome 2012 in DC

Apparently there are still some tickets left for the Summit of Awesome.

About the Summit of Awesome:

The Summit of Awesome is an annual conference that brings together crafters and makers from across the U.S. to learn, grow, and be prosperous in today’s economy.

With a desire to help sustain the handmade movement and support independent crafters within the community,  Hello Craft welcomes independent business owners and makers to the Summit of Awesome each year.

Check out a video highlighting the 2010 Summit of Awesome (shot and edited by the excellent cinematographer Josh Dion):

Here's the schedule:

Schedule*

Saturday September 8, 2012
9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
1418 North Capitol Street
Washington, DC 20001

9:30 – 10am Registration + Breakfast
10 – 10:30am Welcome
10:45 – 12pm Morning Sessions

• Small Manufacturing with FabLab
• Own Your Awesome with Kelly Rand
• Bookbinding with Grace Dobush

12pm – 1:30pm Lunch – Craftnote with Stephen Fraser, co-founder of Spoonflower
1:45 – 3pm Afternoon Sessions

• Finance 101: The Basics for Crafters with Jennifer Dunn of Outright
• In Writing with Kate McKean and Grace Dobush

3:15 – 4:30pm Afternoon Sessions

• What’s the Deal? New Wholesale Opportunities with Tina Seamonster
• Licensing and Copyright for Crafters with John Mason of Washington Area Lawyer for the Arts
• Pitch Your Craft Book! with Kate McKean (pre-registration is required)

4:45 – 5:30pm Afternoon Sessions

• Advanced Email Marketing with Amy Ellis of MailChimp
• The Retail Experience with Allison Lince-Bentley of Bits of Thread
• Pitch Your Craft Book! with Kate McKean (pre-registration is required)

5:45pm – 6:15pm Closing

Awesome Party
8:30pm – 10:30pm

Old City Green
9th St NW & N St NW
Washington, DC 20001

Sunday September 9

40 Under 40: Craft Futures Docent Tour**
10:30 am

Renwick Gallery
17th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Meet at information desk

**This tour is limited to the first 20 registered Summit of Awesome attendees. You must sign up during check in and registration at the Summit of Awesome on September 8.

*Schedule is subject to change

Sign up here

Support the Human Rights Campaign

The sixteenth annual Human Rights Campaign National Dinner will be held
Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

Info for the Dinner is here
I will be donating a piece to the auction and I encourage other artists to do so as well. The donation form is HERE

For more information, please contact DCAuction@hrc.org or call (202) 423-2875.

Call for Entries: ReCreate3 at Center for Green Urbanism

ReCreate 3

ReCreate 3 marks the third anniversary of The Center for Green Urbanism. The past year has been both successful and challenging.  We want to mark this occasion by paying tribute to rising above, crushing roadblocks, and successes from the point of view of our artists.
This year’s theme will celebrate positive influences and personal inspirations. We invite artists to reflect on their inspirations and motivations, as well as their challenges – and ways roadblocks are overcome. We are looking for works representing sustainability of self – specifically telling a story of overcoming challenge of any sort, or at a broad, holistic level.

Important DatesExhibition: October 1 – November 2, 2012
Submission deadline: Friday, September 14th, 11:59pm
Artist Notification: Saturday, September 14-Sunday, September 15
Drop-off: Sunday, September 30th: 11am-2pm
Opening: Friday, October 5th, 6:30-8:30pm
Artist’s Talk and Coffee: Sunday, October 21st, 2-4pm
Pick-up: Sunday, November 4th, 1-4pm

Interested in submitting?
Start here: Exhibition Prospectus
Call for Art – Step 1 
Call for Art – Steps 2 and 3

Sell your art and craft on H Street NE DC

Gallery O on H, is sponsoring a locally made artisan area at the H Street Festival.  They are expecting 50-60K attendees and have lots of great vendors already signed up!  (GREAT opportunity!!!!)  

Date and time: September 15, Noon - 7pm

Space:  6 Foot Table under 20x40 tent (includes table and 1 chair)

Cost: $75.

Only a handful of spaces left--- please contact Mary Ellen Vehlow  at mev@pensaredesign.com

by this Thursday with confirmation if you plan to vend.  Vendor application  and payment must be sent to H Street Main Street *address and information is on the form.

   

video of mold making process for LIbrary of Congress Doors.

mold making process for LIbrary of Congress Doors. a video by Scenic Artisan on Flickr.

I put together a video of the process of applying rubber to the doors of the Library Congress.

more info on the project here:
http://washingtonglass.blogspot.com/2012/05/us-library-of-congress-new-cast.html

Newbrow

The owner of Art Whino Gallery just published a new book called Newbrow.


“Newbrow: 50 Contemporary Artists”

Newbrow art is an underground art movement featuring pop surrealism and strong social commentary. View the cross section of Newbrow art with 50 contemporary artists displaying the embodiment of humor and commentary of the underground comix movement.

Atglen P.A. — This vivid art book spotlights 50 artists of the Newbrow art, pop surrealism movement with over 180 striking color photos of their work. Artists from across the US, Denmark, Germany, and Australia are featured. The images themselves are filled with powerful social commentary, startling imagery, and sharp humor. The work ranges from that of street artists who trace back to the 1980s hip hop culture, using tools such as stenciling, wheat pasting, spray paint, and guerilla art installations, to illustrative artists who trace their backgrounds to graphic design and illustration. For those unfamiliar with Newbrow art, the author describes it as, “…a raw unapologetic form of expression that represents today’s current culture.” The artists presented are arranged alphabetically in the book, with text providing information about each artist’s life, inspiration, influences, and style. Contact information for each artist is also provided.


http://artwhino.com/
Art Whino

Artlibs -June 18th- August 10

 Come Check out Artlibs, a fun group show curated by Sherill Anne Gross at Harmony Hall in Fort Washington, Maryland.

ArtLibs Curator’s Statement

(adjective) local artists will help (verb) a story through their art. The catch is that the (noun -pl) will not know what the story is. The artists will only receive a type of word to illustrate. The artworks will complete the (noun) with the help of viewer’s interpretations. The (adjective) stories the visitors create will all be included as part of the (noun). In this way the exhibit will continue to (verb) (adverb).

This show has been in my head for several years. The idea came to me while thinking of ways to make art shows more interactive with the public and have fun with it. I believe art is for everyone and that the viewer should be able to be involved with the art in some way. I thought this is a great way to combine everything together.

The artists who are participating in the show really had no idea what they were in for. They were all assigned word types – but had no idea about the stories they were going to be incorporated into. Just like a classic game of mad libs. The stories were kept under wraps!

The idea of the show is for the artists and the public to complete the story with how they are interpreting the artwork. The fun of mad libs are how ridiculous the final stories are so we hope viewers will play along and leave their completed mad libs on the story wall for others to get a chuckle. The show will grow as the stories get left. We are not making easy – so we are not including titles of the artworks.

I am overjoyed seeing the show come together. I wrote the stories, so filling them in as I was seeing the artwork come in made me laugh. Getting to work with so many talented artists in the area is an added bonus, The DC area has such an amazing pool of artists and it’s great to see them play along!

--IMPORTANT DATES--

Reception is Sat. June 30, 3-5pm.

Arts/Harmony Hall Regional Center

10701 Livingston Rd

Fort Washington, MD 20744

Affordable Artists Housing in DC

Are you an artist in Washington, DC making less than $40,000 and need a space to live/work

Check this out right now! You must fill out this simple form and email it today.


Manna is finalizing plans for The Left Bank Studio-House, an aff ordable artist work/live space in Northeast
Washington’s Langdon neighborhood for artists and their families.
Great location
This converted warehouse at 2414 Douglas Street NE is two blocks from bus lines that travel down
Rhode Island Avenue (just minutes to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro) and Bladensburg Road. We are
conveniently located in the growing arts corridor running from H Street to Brookland and onto Mt. Rainier, MD.
Specialized services
The Left Bank Studio-House will provide local artists with an integrated community where you can share
ideas and materials and build your social and business networks. There will be a common area that
residents can use for performances and exhibitions. Residents will also have access to business training
and legal advice to help their business thrive.
Join us
If you are an artist looking for affordable work/live space, join our waiting list today by completing the form
below.  Email completed forms to chunter@mannadc.org or mail to
Manna, Inc., 828 Evarts Street, NE , Washington, DC 20018

Artomatic 2012: My Recommendations

Artomatic 2012 is now OPEN. And it's HUGE! If you don't have the 6 or 7 hours it will take to see everything, allow me to make some recommendations for your game plan in approaching this exhibit.  I took a quick walkthrough and noted some of the pieces I think you shouldn't miss. I will be adding to this list as I  update my notes and photos. some i didn't note which floor they were on, so i need to go back. I'll add links when I can.

First thing, Check out the floorplans HERE . Print them out. Make notes on them. Clicking on names will bring you to the artists Artomatic info page, including their location.

Floor 2
Michael Janis

Floor 3
Drew Storm

Floor 8
David D'Orio
Nils Henrick Sundquist

Floor 9

Me!
Rania Hassan
Christian Tribastone
Jacqui Corcetta
Erin Antognoli
Zophie Lang

Floor 10
Roger Cutler 
Walter G. Stiles
Tim Tate

Floor 11

Andrew Wodzianski
Marty Ittner
Kirk Waldroff
Justin Cameron
Cory Oberndorfer
Melissa Burley
Joe Corcoran


In truth, i hope that you will try to see everything over the course of the event! it is much easier to get through on the weekdays and early on the weekends.
More Info Here

Artomatic 2012

Artomatic 2012

1851 S. Bell Street, Crystal City, Virginia

Doors open 6 p.m. on Friday, May 18!

1,300 artists and performers take over an 11-story building and turn it into
DC's biggest creative event.

Artomatic.org

This is the largest and most fun art show in the DC area. Please come and check it out. 

I'm excited that I'll be a part of this great exhibition with brand new pieces. I've been searching for years for a low energy, long lasting easy way to add uniform lighting to my glass pieces. I finally found a LED panel that is 14w and will last a continuous 25 years of being on. I'm super psyched to include my first backlit pieces in this years artomatic. and at 46 x24 inches, my largest glass panels yet! Here's a peek at one

Limitless

I'm exhibiting my work right next to my wife and fantastic artist Rania Hassan. She's created a new series of Knitting and Painting based on the photos strips of Eadweard James Muybridge. Here's a sneak peak of one

It's good to remember that Artomatic is HUGE! Many floors of art with just over 1000 artists participating!  To see our work go directly to the 9th Floor! Heres a map:

Every Sunday I will be giving tours of my favorite sculptural glass pieces in Artomatic. If you are interested, please meet me at the 11th Floor elevators at 3:00 PM. 

My next post will be my recommendations of other artists to see at Artomatic.

Are you a DC based Artist?

The District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities offers grants to artists and arts organizations.

List of Grants Available

• Arts Education Program
• Artist Fellowship Program
• Artist Residencies in Schools
• City Arts Projects
• Community Arts Grant
• Cultural Facilities Projects
• East of the River
• Grants-In-Aid
• Public Art Building Communities
• UPSTART Program
• Art Bank

More information can be found here

Brand Spanking New Work

I just finished this new piece for Artomatic 2012.

Come check it out in person

Artomatic

Opening Night: May 18th.

1851 S. Bell Street

Arlington, VA 22202

United States

See map: Google Maps

http://www.artomatic.org/visit/directions

The Howard Theatre

I'm very excited to announce that the Howard Theatre Restoration is nearing completion!
I had posted on my involvement in the restoration project and a bit on the process I was using.

Here are some pictures I took along the way:


larger version of the slideshow HERE

 My trumpets are complete and have been shipped off to Mid Ocean Studios for final fitting to Brower Hatcher's Jazz Man. The entire sculpture is en route back to DC for installation. Early morning on Monday April 9th, the statue will get hoisted up to sit on top of the restored facade. There will be a second trumpet inside the lobby display so you get to look at it up close. Additionally, you are all invited to the Howard Theatre Community Day to celebrate the restoration!

On Monday, April 9th, come on down and breathe life into The Howard Theatre's Rebirth. At 11:30am, we'll kick things off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by live performances by Robert Thompson & The James Brown Experience Band, along with a host of other talents. Also, get a glimpse of The Howard Theatre's magnificence, which will open its doors to the public for the first time in over 25 years.
For this special occasion, we're closing down T Street to dedicate the recently installed sculpture of Duke Ellington and make way for fun and celebration. Hope to see you here at The Howard Theatre, on this Grand Reopening day!

So join us:
The Howard Theatre
Monday April 9th
11:30-2:30 PM
620 T St NW
Washington, DC

FARRAGUT WEST Art Dedication for Michael Sirvet

WEDNESDAY | APRIL 11, 2012 | 3PM FARRAGUT WEST Metrorail Station 17th and Eye Streets Entrance Come Celebrate A sculpture series created by DC artist, Michael Enn Sirvet Mayor Vincent C. Gray Mayor The District of Columbia Greg Meyer President of the Board Golden Triangle Business Improvement District Lionell Thomas Executive Director DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Richard Sarles General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Call for Entry: Art Libs

Check out this fun Call for Entry:

Artlibs! show call for entries

ARTLIBS – Call for Artists Metro DC Artists
June 18 – August 10, 2012
Arts/Harmony Hall Regional Center
10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744

---

(adjective) local artists will help (verb) a story through their art. The catch is that the (noun -pl)will not know what the story is. The artists will only receive a type of word to illustrate. The artworks will complete the (noun) with the help of viewer’s interpretations. The (adjective)stories the visitors create will all be included as part of the (noun). In this way the exhibit will continue to (verb) (adverb).

---

If you are interested in being considered for participation, please fill out the following information (or compose an email containing all the following information) and include a mid-sized jpg image illustrating the type of work you would like to submit no later than March 30 at 5pm via email to artlibs@sagworks.com. Please name your sample image with your name.

Artists selected to participate will be notified by April 16 with their “word type”. Artists are encouraged to make a new work for the show illustrating their assigned “word type” (ie noun, verb, adjective, etc). Submitted work can be no larger than 20” x 24” and no smaller than 8” x 10” (including framing). More details will be available when the notifi cations are made.

You can download the entry form online at: art-libs-intro-flyer-v2

Rania Hassan at The Textile Museum

Come listen to Rania Hassan talk about knitting as contemporary art at The Textile Museum tomorrow morning.

RUG & TEXTILE APPRECIATION MORNING
Knitting as Contemporary Art
10:30 AM
Knitter, designer, and scholar Jennifer Lindsay will discuss knitting as an art form. Local contemporary fiber artists Barbara Rushworth and Rania Hassan will join her to show the expressive possibilities of knitted fabric and form in wearable art, sculpture, and mixed media compositions. Please feel free to bring examples from your own work or collection to share. Free; no reservations required.




THE TEXTILE MUSEUM 2320 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008-4088 (202) 667-0441

Back to Work

I've had a bit of a rough spell for the last 2 months. I had gotten injured from a faulty bike and haven't been able to work. Yes, it sucked. And yes, I'm over the worst of it. And I'm very grateful to my my wife and friends who helped me tremendously.

I'm just getting back to doing some work, and I've been catching up by framing and photographing pieces. Here is a recent piece.

The Difference Between Us

I'm sending off some pieces this week for a show in Asheville, NC. The show won't go up until May. I'll post more about it later, but it's pretty cool.  I'll be getting back to my Trumpet project next week. I'll post new pictures soon. I'm working on a multi-media series of works based on Alice in Wonderland ( with support from the DCCAH )  I've been drawing up ideas to create for Artomatic, which returns to Crystal City, VA in May.  Lot's going on. exciting, and i'm impatient as hell to get back to it.


oh, and i've been spending a lot of my time on Pinterest lately. Quite a cool things when you're laid up and in pain.