The below is an open call for public art proposals.  The City of Alexandria insists on continuing to call the art a “memorial” (meaning in my ears some type of sculptural/monument element).  During early planning meetings which I attended, I spoke somewhat forcefully to try to encourage the city to recognize the difference between commemorating contributions and memorializing them. Well, you know what they say, you can’t fight City Hall.  Artists – let me appeal to you!  This is a fabulous new recreation center complete with a brand new boxing ring.  The center sits just on the periphery of a family homeless shelter and a set of what we used to call in the old days “projects”.  Alexandrians deserve better – and they deserve art that inspires and that challenges the ESTABLISHMENT.  If you’re going to submit proposals and you either a) want the inside scoop or b) want to stand a fighting chance, please consider giving us a call.  Charles Houston would roll over to see himself in bronze – he’d want more for the people and so should we.  

CALL FOR ARTISTS: CHARLES HAMILTON HOUSTON MEMORIAL, ALEXANDRIA, VA
The City of Alexandria, Virginia seeks to commission public art for the new Charles Houston Recreation Center. The process will be managed by the Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, with the Alexandria Commission for the Arts Public Art Committee.

The City will conduct the search for qualified applicants through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The art will be paid for by private donations. The purpose of the project is to honor and memorialize Charles Houston and to recognize the historical importance of the former Parker-Gray High School, Alexandria’s first African-American high school. 

Charles Hamilton Houston was a nationally-known civil rights leader and NAACP attorney who fought for equality in public education. He became involved with Alexandria when, in 1941, a group of concerned citizens began to petition for a new school and eventually appealed to the NAACP for assistance. Houston took on this challenge and used his knowledge and influence to aid the community in their fight. Their efforts were successful and a new Parker-Gray High School was built in 1950. 

When Charles Houston passed away one month before the school was dedicated, the community requested that the former Parker-Gray School be renamed the Charles Houston Elementary School in recognition of his important contribution. Years later, the school was demolished and a recreation facility was built that retained the Houston name. This building was later razed to make room for the new, state-of-the-art Charles Houston Recreation Center which opened in February of 2009. When plans for the new facility began, the community indicated their interest in seeking an appropriate way to not only memorialize Houston and his contributions to Alexandria but to also find a way to preserve the history of the Parker-Gray schools. The project’s overarching theme is Education and Civil Rights. 

Web Site: http://alexandriava.gov/arts - click on Charles Houston Public Art Project

Deadline for Submission: October 1, 2009, 4 pm (EDT)

Rebecca Tolk’s photography images on barn wood have held my interest for some time. In addition to being an enterprising photographer, she’s a savvy business woman. Tolk offers images for her facebook network to name. A recent image of tree tops held special meaning for her. She says:

It was the first time I visited the Southern Barrier Islands off the coast of Georgia. I long to go back as they seem to hold much mystery for me. I used this image in this month’s ‘Title that Image’ Contest on my Facebook Group. Jarrett Leone gave me the amazing title of Slow Dance, which brought me right back to the moment of when I created this image. I often see trees dancing, moving, swaying. They have spirit and character that draws me to them, speaks their name, and invites me to share their secrets. I hope you enjoy this image as much as I do, it’s one of my favorites.

I know the contest winners are excited to have a piece of my artwork, yet for me I feel like I am getting the better end of the deal. These titles bring me back to the place and time of creation, of my intimate moments with the natural world. Folks also offer up proper names of plants and critters so I can learn more about what I am shooting. I like to know if a plant holds medicinal value and it’s folklore, a project I am continually working on.

I sincerely appreciate this collaboration and inspiration! I hope more folks join the contest and that it goes on for a long time.

See for yourselves at the following:

www.rebeccatolkphotography.com
main website

www.rebeccatolk.etsy.com
etsy shop

www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccatolk/
image database

www.holgainspire.com
holga inspiration and info

http://groups.to/rebeccatolkphotography/
rebecca tolk photography’s facebook group
join to play contests and win art!
________________________________
Rebecca Tolk Photography • 5402 Duxford Place • Burke, VA 22015

In the Works at CuDC Artist Housing in Noma. We’re getting closer… We continue to work through some final issues to ensure the
application process moves smoothly. Stay tuned to your housing scoop for the latest info. In the meantime – have you checked out the building?

If you’re taking the red line North look out the right-side window after going above ground from Union Station. The building is beige and red brick – windows are in and they are getting ready to work on the interiors. Interested in finding out what else is in the neighborhood? Check out the Go NoMa! Map
[http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102675601773&s=465&e=001M7Ui86GTDcGWVQDv538mhbzaFsppcAUYHgfVBXlKH8VI6opFDohUC0I6Fl16kLZ4jeNV6_hBkmq4m332yiikyFl0nYuWa7IxFIEMOWua19mU2UCg0Xa8efJVAhNm0K42QW-mLN5ksELtqe1itXgSdg==] to get the lowdown on all the retail, dining and entertainment options (For reference the artist housing will be at 3rd and K NE).
Just remember to keep your eyes on the big picture – 30 affordable rental units for artists by March 2010.

___

DC Housing Search. The Department of Housing and Community Development has launched
DC Housing Search
[http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102675601773&s=465&e=001M7Ui86GTDcFjXKpNrwY7LWArDIx9seTRlAE_NSl7ZBOhyOj7P9Qk1yJtyvXYVU_q1NymxgujhzeHZWIcbfy1bRe-zqcaAUcV7-WoN-YgLDJBMYMiHlj7RA==]. This online database boosts more than 1,000 available affordable units throughout
DC. You can search by unit size, location, metro accessibility and more. If you are in the market for housing make sure to check out what the Housing Search has available.

Home Occupation Permits. Working from home? Do you have a permit? The District regulates
client visits, signage and amount of space you can dedicate to your home business.
If you don’t already have a permit, consider getting one – it protects you and your
business. For more information contact the Department of Consumer and Regulatory
Affairs [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102675601773&s=465&e=001M7Ui86GTDcEdnPGvYQn3M7EyaXjNpRhbJAn_kQ6MlJfgj8hmxQhe5jF7EHSfXomCCkl2qEZgTSpA8TBrPFq7UrMil8nh2moyjMqtSGN1M7_UVHx8Zkp21aTQCb_gzzn7ZY95R4rPo5O_bqz6VV1g-UtUSS86R9SG3G9AoTcMenk8SlzjBJYEqz9O8SMdmJ_SreFtUOw2BMpji5oFp1v_3ws-izgtwKvc_cET8R9ltCs=].

CuDC’s artist housing and community development program is made possible in part through the generous support of the Bank of America Foundation, The Wachovia Foundation and an Anonymous Donor of the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region.

Shauna Lee Lange Arts Advisory & Design Studio has been retained as one of three jurors for Alexandria’s The Art League solo artist selection process for 2011.  

The Art League’s primary concern throughout the process is the gathering of specific and valuable feedback for the entrants.  Many artists who apply do not expect to be selected for a show, but do expect feedback that will help them move forward.  The Art League executives felt that Lange would be very engaged in the process and would make a real effort to provide useful comments.

The Art League averages about 50 submissions a year for 9 month-long solo exhibit slots.  Artists must submit an artist statement, resume and exhibition proposal, along with a CD of 5 images which illustrate the type of work they would show.  The artists must submit these materials by October 1. 

TAL then send the jurors those materials along with evaluation forms with which they record their initial reactions to the works and their relation to the proposals.  On Monday, October 19, TAL will conduct in-person jurying.  At this time, all three jurors are present and view the same previewed works in person, at which time they may discuss their initial reactions, give final evaluations and choose the 9 slots.  

In the past, The Art League has not divulged juror information until after the process, which is not an industry-wide common practice (withholding juror identity).  Although The Art League will not advertise juror information on the solo artist materials, they will be able to tell people who the jurors are if they ask.  

Lange recently juried The Torpedo Factory’s 2009 Artist of the Year.  She is also scheduled to jury a controversial show at The Soundry in September 2009, “12 Angry Men”.  Lange is a self-taught, late-emergent artist who is also the founder of a design studio & art advisory serving metropolitan DC.  

The Art League
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-1780
www.theartleague.org
http://theartleaguegallery.blogspot.com

If you’re like me, the last thing you want to do as summer ends is to revisit the family calendar for fall!

But in case you’re doing just that, I wanted to let you know that I’ll be teaching a few art classes this fall – both for adults and for kids. I would love to have you for one or more of these classes I teach through the Arlington Artists Academy.

They run throughout the season – beginning the first week in October – and a portion of the proceeds from each class goes back to the Academy – the teaching arm of the Arlington Artists Alliance, the only arts organization in Arlington County that is comprised of working artists living in or maintaining a studio in Arlington.

You can choose from three class offerings and two convenient locations in Northern Virginia:

- Unleash Your Creativity with Colorfield Painting (Convergence School of the Arts – Arlington/Alexandria Border- Quaker Lane)

- Self Discovery Through Tissue Paper Collage (Convergence School of the Arts – Arlington/Alexandria Border – Quaker Lane)

- Kid Fun with Tissue Collage (Arlington United Methodist Church – Arlington – Glebe Road)

Of course, I’ve been getting lots of positive feedback on my Colorfield classes, but several of you encouraged me to offer a tissue collage class this fall, so this is your chance! Whether you’re a painter, a collage artist or just someone looking to infuse some creativity in your life (or your kids’ lives), these classes offer the perfect way to “jump in.” They are easy, require no artist knowledge and are downright fun!

I’ve attached a full description of the classes in this email, along with a registration form you can print out, fill in and send to the Arlington Artists Academy. For a full brochure of all classes offered this semester through the Academy, please visit:
http://www.arlingtonartistsalliance.org/classes.html.

As you prepare for your busy fall season, don’t forget to include yourself in the creative process – and most of all, I hope you have fun!

My best,
Bryan

P.S. Should you know of others who might be interested in these course offerings, please feel free to pass along the information in this email!

BKJClassOfferingsElectronicPostcard.pdf

The Fisher Art Gallery was established to serve local artists and strengthen ties with local art communities. It is located in the Rachel M Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus. The address is 3001 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria 22311-5097.

As a non-commercial space, the gallery is an appealing venue: There is no commission – all sales through the artist.
The gallery covers cost of the invitation postcards, does press releases and has a mailing list. The artist is responsible for the costs of the opening reception; an optional choice of the artist. I would advise the artist to hold a reception and to rely on their own mailing list for reception attendance as the Center’s patrons tend to visit the gallery during performance attendance and on their own time. The artist receives about 250 postcards to distribute and mail. There is significant traffic in the evenings and weekends when the Center is open for concerts and events.
It is a great space; especially for artists who are at the point in their artistic development and aspirations that they wish to establish a credible resume that includes showing in professional art galleries.

The gallery schedules 6-10 exhibitions annually. Artists and art organizations throughout the northern Virginia/Washington DC/Maryland metroplex area are eligible. Works can be in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats. Exhibitions may be group or solo. Artists and groups are chosen to exhibit their work on the basis of a yearly “Call for Exhibitions” that is juried by faculty the management of the Schlesinger Center. The call for submissions mailing goes out during October with a deadline in early December. If you would like to be included on the mailing list, please send your postal and/or e-mail address to picturethatstudios@usa.net.

Call for Submissions form can be found at:

http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/schlesingercenter/gallery_exibits%20call.html

The Fisher Art Gallery was established to serve local artists and strengthen ties with local art communities. It is located in the Rachel M Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus. The address is 3001 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria 22311-5097.

As a non-commercial space, the gallery is an appealing venue: There is no commission – all sales through the artist.
The gallery covers cost of the invitation postcards, does press releases and has a mailing list. The artist is responsible for the costs of the opening reception; an optional choice of the artist. I would advise the artist to hold a reception and to rely on their own mailing list for reception attendance as the Center’s patrons tend to visit the gallery during performance attendance and on their own time. The artist receives about 250 postcards to distribute and mail. There is significant traffic in the evenings and weekends when the Center is open for concerts and events.
It is a great space; especially for artists who are at the point in their artistic development and aspirations that they wish to establish a credible resume that includes showing in professional art galleries.

The gallery schedules 6-10 exhibitions annually. Artists and art organizations throughout the northern Virginia/Washington DC/Maryland metroplex area are eligible. Works can be in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats. Exhibitions may be group or solo. Artists and groups are chosen to exhibit their work on the basis of a yearly “Call for Exhibitions” that is juried by faculty the management of the Schlesinger Center. The call for submissions mailing goes out during October with a deadline in early December. If you would like to be included on the mailing list, please send your postal and/or e-mail address to picturethatstudios@usa.net.

Call for Submissions form can be found at:

http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/schlesingercenter/gallery_exibits%20call.html

Donna Brazile: Democratic political consultant and TV pundit.

Sheila Bair: Chair, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Mayda del Valle: Chicago poet who performed in May at the White House poetry jam hosted by the president and first lady.

Ann Dunwoody: First female four-star general.

Shirley Ann Jackson: Former chair of the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, tapped by Obama as a member of his Science and Technology Advisory Council.

Lilly Ledbetter: Equal-pay crusader. Michelle Obama’s first official function as first lady was a Jan. 29 reception to honor Ledbetter. Donna Brazile was among those present. The event came on the same day Obama signed one of his first pieces of legislation, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

Anne Mulcahy: The CEO of Xerox was a member of then President-elect Obama’s Transition Economic Advisory Board.

Michelle Rhee: Chief of D.C. public schools.

Sarah Silverman: The actress starred in a video titled “The Great Schlep,” designed to urge elderly Florida Jews to vote for Obama.

Melanie Sloan: Executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Government Ethics in Washington.

Anna Deavere Smith: The actress in April joined the Center for American Progress as an artist-in-residence. The center is sort of a think tank for the Obama White House. CAP President John Podesta ran Obama’s transition.

Shauna Lee Lange has begun a new nationwide art project series examining the intersection of art and food, self-esteem and body-image, and emotional eating & contemporary art. 

WIDE – What I Didn’t Eat is designed to invite all women artists to focus NOT on what they did eat (or dieting, or calorie counting, or exercise) but rather on what they DID NOT eat in the theory that each small success empowers us to have artistic control over our bodies, our intake, and ultimately our creative force in the arts. 

By posting the successes of what did NOT pass their lips, a woman artist’s vision becomes clearer about the role of food in her life, in her artistic direction, and in her place in the world. 

We invite you to join WIDE and more details will be posted as they are created, but in the meantime, here are some of my personal recent successes!  We encourage your participation, your ideas for incorporating art, and your vision for food & art.

8/13/09 – Melanie’s homemade chocolate cake

8/14/09 – Lukewarm crappy boardwalk pepperoni pizza slice

8/16/09- The second trip to the magnificent buffet and ice cream dessert @ Applebees

8/17/09 – The last piece of french toast

8/18/09 – French fries @ Five Guys.

This year will be Art Outlet’s third annual Ofrenda exhibition and Art Outlet is excited to partner with the Torpedo Factory Art Center . The event will begin Saturday, October 31 and run though November 2.

Create and show your personal altars, icons, shrines, and offerings (ofrendas). We are seeking 2- and 3-D artwork (any media), which fits the Dia de los Muertos tradition. Art Outlet will curate 1152 square feet of wall exhibition space (18 panels, courtesy of Artomatic ) and space for sculpture/media on the first floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center . We estimate this space will hold 36 two-D and 20 three-D artworks.

Art may include candles or incense, but these will not be burned during the show. There will be a public altar outside the Torpedo Factory that will include candles and incense. We especially welcome 3-D works and installation.

The art and activities of traditional El Día de los Muertos
celebrations look warmly and humorously on life, death, and the departed. When considering your submission, please be respectful. Art displayed at Ofrendas — Art of the Dead will take place in this same tradition.

You may upload up to 3 images or a text proposal. If you send us a text proposal for you artwork, we will evaluate your proposal as well as your current work, so please send us a url to your web site. We will only consider your proposal or artwork, once you pay the registration fee.

Register here at http://artoutlet.org/news/events/ofrenda-art-for-the-dead

This is a juried art exhibition.
Fee: $35.00

Schedule

Call-Out ends: Monday, September 22
Artists Announced: Thursday, October 1
Installation of art: Thursday & Friday, October 29 & 30
De-Installation of art: Wednesday – Friday, November 4 – 6

The event will be free and open to the public on the following dates: Exhibition Dates: Saturday, October 31 – Tuesday, November 2, 2009

Reception & Parade

Sugar Skull Activity/Performances: 3 pm – 5 pm
Parade at sundown (TBD). Open to ayone!
Reception: 5 pm – midnight, Saturday Oct 31
Public Altar: Anyone can place ofrendas throughout the event

From:
artoutlet.org
2503 North 20th Rd
#304
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

© Art Outlet, Inc. is a 501-(c)-(3) organization dedicated to amplifying the artist’s voice.