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1. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
2. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
3. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
4. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
5. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
6. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
7. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
8. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
10. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
13. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
14. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
15. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
16. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
18. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
19. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
20. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
21. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
22. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
23. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
24. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
25. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
26. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
27. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
28. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
29. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
30. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
31. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
32. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
34. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
37. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
38. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
39. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
40. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
42. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
43. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
44. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
45. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
46. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
47. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
48. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
49. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
50. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
51. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
52. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
53. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
54. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
55. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
56. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
58. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
61. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
62. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
63. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
64. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
66. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
67. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
68. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
69. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
70. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
71. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
72. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
73. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
74. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
75. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
76. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
77. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
78. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
79. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
80. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
82. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
85. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
86. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
87. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
88. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
90. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
91. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
92. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
93. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
94. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
95. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
96. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
97. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
98. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
99. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
100. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
101. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
102. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
103. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
104. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
106. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
107. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
109. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
110. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
111. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
112. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
114. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
115. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
116. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
117. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
118. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
119. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
120. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
121. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
122. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
123. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
124. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
125. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
126. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
127. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
128. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
130. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
131. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
133. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
134. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
135. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
136. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
138. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
139. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
140. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
141. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
142. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
143. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
144. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
145. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
146. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
147. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
148. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
149. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
150. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
151. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
152. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
154. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
155. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
157. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
158. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
159. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
160. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
162. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
163. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
164. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
165. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
166. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
167. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
168. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
169. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
170. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
171. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
172. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
173. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
174. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
175. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
176. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
178. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
179. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
181. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
182. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
183. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
184. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
186. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
187. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
188. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
189. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
190. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
191. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
192. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
193. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
194. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
195. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
196. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
197. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
198. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
199. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
200. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
202. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
203. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
205. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
206. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
207. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
208. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
210. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
211. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
212. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
213. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
214. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
215. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
216. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
217. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
218. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
219. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
220. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
221. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
222. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
223. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
224. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
226. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
227. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
229. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
230. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
231. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
232. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
234. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
235. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
236. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
237. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
238. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
239. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
240. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
241. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
242. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
243. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
244. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
245. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
246. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
247. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
248. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
250. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
251. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
253. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
254. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
255. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
256. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
258. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
259. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
260. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
261. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
262. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
263. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
264. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
265. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
266. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
267. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
268. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
269. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
270. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
271. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
272. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
274. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
275. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
277. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
278. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
279. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
280. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
282. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
283. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
284. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
285. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
286. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
287. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
288. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
289. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
290. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
291. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
292. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
293. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
294. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
295. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
296. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
298. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
299. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
301. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
302. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
303. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
304. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
306. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
307. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
308. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
309. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
310. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
311. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
312. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
313. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
314. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
315. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
316. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
317. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
318. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
319. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
320. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
322. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
323. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
325. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
326. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
327. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
328. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
330. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
331. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
332. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
333. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
334. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
335. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
336. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
337. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
338. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
339. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
340. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
341. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
342. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
343. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
344. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
346. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
347. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
349. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
350. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
351. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
352. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
354. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
355. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
356. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
357. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
358. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
359. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
360. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
361. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure
362. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Call for Artists: The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Exhibition
Date: 1 October 2023, 2:07 pm

submittable.com/submit/271428/life-in-layers-the-2023-prince-georges-county-juried-exhibition" target="_blank">The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried exhibition is open to visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County.

Deadline: Fri, Oct 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Juror: Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC's Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010.

Again: This call is open to all artists who are 18 years of age or older who live, work, study, or have a studio in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Artists may submit a maximum of 3 artworks for consideration.

No Entry Fee

EXHIBITION TIMELINE

Deadline to apply online: Sunday, October 13, 2023, 11:59 pm

Artists notified: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Artists drop off work at Brentwood Arts Exchange: Sunday, October 29, 2023, 10am-4pm

Exhibition start date:  Thursday, November 2, 2023 

Reception date and curator talk: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 5-8 pm

Last day of exhibit: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Artists pick up work from Brentwood Arts Exchange: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Apply here.

Enclosure
363. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Open Studios - MFA American University
Date: 26 September 2023, 1:57 am

I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this Saturday it is American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

American University MFA fall graduate Open Studios event is on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Come and discover new artists and trends in Washington D.C.  Open Studios will be located on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

Check out Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. Visit him in Studio 253 and see his latest work. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates will also showcase their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages. 

Enclosure
364. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award
Date: 25 September 2023, 1:45 am

Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, a multi-disciplinary fine artist, curator, and educator, to receive the 2023 East Of The River Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award presented by Honfleur Gallery in memory of Sharon Hughes Gautier honors a living artist in Wards 7 or 8 for creative excellence while significantly impacting the cultural landscape of Washington, DC. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. 

"Zsudayka's mixed media pieces tell stories of the African American family life and experiences. Each piece's bold colors, textures, perspectives, and intricate patterns create a narrative of their power, unity, dignity, beauty, and resilience.", says artist Luis Del Valle, recipient of the 2013 EotR Distinguished Artist Award. "Her impact and contribution to our community and culture cannot be denied."

From Aurora, CO, Zsudayka Nzinga's work is largely focused on mixed media portraiture of American life, including themes of motherhood and culture and identity. Her pieces explore patterns and textures using acrylic, oil, decorative and hand-dyed paper, fabric, thread, and ink on canvas. She uses photography and video to tell stories behind her work. She is a proud mother of 3 children and wife to artist James Terrell.

Says Terrell, "I've lived in DC for 12 years, 8 East of the River. It is a community I have fallen in love with for its resilience and history. I always jokingly call it the authentic part of DC because it's real families who have been here for generations. It's a deep culture that has begun to seep into my work. It's a place that deserves incredible advocates, access, and care. It is my hope that I live my life in a way that creates opportunities, particularly in the arts, for the people on this side of the river who have so much vibrant art to offer the world."

In addition to receiving the 2023 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award, Terrell curated this year's East of the River Exhibition, "Interlocked" by the Infinity Collective. The exhibit explores the connections forged between groups of people working in unison towards a common goal. The show features works of talented black women artists, including Camille Angel, Sanah Brown-Bowers, Shante Bullock, Bria Edwards, Artiste Fletcher, Dany Green, Joy Nutt, Reshada Pullen, Liz Stewart, Chantae Sudlow, Candice Tavares, and Vanessa Villareal.

Award Ceremony and Opening Reception, Saturday, September 30th, 2023, 7-9pm at Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road, SE; Washington, DC 20020. RSVP at bit.ly/INTERLOCKED. Show details available at honfleurgallerydc.com. Terrell bio and inventory available at terrellartsdc.com.

Enclosure
365. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: How to Spend $1,000 at NYC’s Affordable Art Fair
Date: 21 September 2023, 8:18 pm

Rhea Nayyar from Hyperallergic went to the Affordable Art Fair in NYC with a thousand imaginary bucks...

I gave myself an imagined budget and set out to find everything from dorm-room art to a housewarming gift for that friend who loves crystals.

I was admittedly grumpy when I arrived at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan to see that the line for the Affordable Art Fair entry wrapped around three-quarters of the block. For what it’s worth, the line moved quickly and I got to daydream about organizational solutions while peering into the neighboring Container Store, but even then, I still couldn’t believe how many people were waiting to get in on the preview night alone. Thankfully, the fair runs through September 24.

And I appreciate that Nayyar picked my Bisque drawings as one of her recommendations! About 30 of them sold on VIP Preview Night!

Read the article here.

Enclosure
366. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A quick visit to the Torpedo Factory
Date: 10 September 2023, 6:05 pm

Yesterday I spent about three hours wandering around the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, visiting every single space, gallery and studio that was open.  The place was very busy, full of tourists, locals, and all kinds of people walking around the DMV's most precious art jewel.

Over the years I've written many, many, many articles, blog posts and pieces about this very special place, including these last two in the Old Town Crier newspaper, (1 and 2) discussing my thoughts on what is happening at the Factory since the City of Alexandria took over.

But for this post I'm just going to focus on this visit, with some observations and opinions.

On the subject of "open", I was both surprised and disappointed by the significant number of studios which were closed on a Saturday afternoon. "Saturdays are our busiest day," noted a prominent Torpedo factory artist who has been there for decades... as I left her studio after chatting with her for a while, she was working to close an $8,000 sale.

On the third floor alone, I would estimate that half the studios were closed, which in my opinion is not acceptable, especially when they are routinely closed. By that I mean that I saw signs on the studio doors that stated the open hours, which were Monday through Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays being either "Closed" or "By Appointment Only."

Since the heavy hand of the state now dictates every and all things Torpedo Factorish, I would recommend that the City Kommissars order the artistic workers to be open on weekends. In an amendment to that motion, as there are 52 weekends a year - let's settle on 42 weekends.

At the Art League on the ground floor, I walked through the current group show, which was curated by juror-info" target="_blank">Regina DeLuise

As art jurying is very subjective, I usually knock heads with jurors when I form my own decisions as to prize winners, etc., but in this case Ms. DeLuise and I agree 1000% that Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe indeed earned that prize!

Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe
Party on East Park Place by Wendy Donahoe

Also on the spectacular scale of the art ratings was The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca, a huge oil on linen which as usual lets Oaxaca flex her enviable painting skills - she's one of the most gifted artists in the DMV.

The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca
The Feast Of The Gods by Teresa Oaxaca

I also liked Ravishing Strength by Stephanie Chang, Joy by Dian McDonald, and several others.

In studio 204 I met and chatted with Sarah Bentley, a classically trained young painter with gorgeous paintings done in the kind of accomplishment that is only achieved after thousands of hours of laborious practice and study of the Old Masters. She notes that:
I began copying at the National Gallery of Art in 2017, drawn to copying paintings as I further my education and skills. I have found that copying from the old masters allows me to examine the surface of the paintings, the texture of the paint itself. While being allowed to copy is an honor, I feels as though copying the works from the NGA allows me to have a conversation with the painters who have come before me, further continuing my education as an emerging artist.
On the third floor I walked into Jacelyn Orellana as she was painting a small portrait. 

Orellana is a Pro Tem artist at the Factory, and yet this very young painter already shows and displays the painting bravura and skills of a much more seasoned painter.  

She has already mastered one of the most difficult tasks in the realm: the rare ability to create intimate portraits that are not only a true representation of the likeness of the subject, but also (and equally as important and hard to do) to capture that ethereal psychological imprint that is also part of any portrait.

And here is the shocker: Incredibly inexpensive and affordable prices! Her Gouache portraits start at $100 for a 5x7 inches, $200 for an 8x8 inches Acrylic, and $300 for an 8x8 inches Oil! Let's give her some business - contact her here.

I suspect that we're gonna hear a lot more in the near future about this bright young star.

Throughout the hours I visited and continued to re-visit the Target Gallery, where "Sound Horizons" was being featured. The exhibition was being presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT).

The exhibition includes four video, sound, and time based artworks by professional staff, students, and colleagues at Virginia Tech University selected for Alexandria and the surrounding region.

With the possible exception of a five-minute audio and video presentation titled "Dear Younger Me" (Keisha V. Thompson, Jada Hoffman, Gilette B., Adele, Ben Knapp, Dacia Kings, Tianyu Ge, Eric Lyon, Geefa Adane, Sydney Johnson, Meaghan Dee, Andraé L., Brown & Tilandra Rhyne), I was overall very underwhelmed by both the presentation and the presented works.  In fact, I felt as if I had stepped back into the late 1990s technology birth of video and artists.

The exhibition runs through January 28, 2024, so it will be boring a lot of people for a long time to come.

The Torpedo Factory and its family of artists and galleries is one of the jewels of our DMV's cultural tapestry - keep visiting it and keep supporting our artists!
Enclosure
367. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: The Trawick Prize Winners Announced
Date: 8 September 2023, 4:34 am

The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, announced the 2023 prize winners!

Rex Delafkaran of Washington, D.C. was awarded the prestigious “Best in Show” title and received the $10,000 top prize. 

Charles Mason III from Baltimore, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Stephanie Garon from Baltimore, MD was bestowed third place and received $1,000; and Megan Koeppel from Hyattsville, MD was awarded the Young Artist Award and received $1,000.

Congrats to all the prizewinners!

Enclosure
368. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: 2nd Women In Art - Online
$1000+ in awards. Deadline: Oct 16, 2023
Enclosure
370. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Waxworks - Cincinnati, OH
$1000 award. Deadline: Oct 14, 2023
Enclosure
371. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Christmas Nativity Art - Houston, TX
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 13, 2023
Enclosure
373. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Sculpture Grants
$5000 each. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
374. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Artisphere 2024 - Greenville, SC
$20,000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 9, 2023
Enclosure
375. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: TERAVARNA Artist Grants
$2000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
376. Source: Art Competitions provided by Artshow.com
Item: Points of Departure - Cohasset, MA
$1000 in awards. Deadline: Oct 8, 2023
Enclosure
378. Source: Daily Campello Art News
Item: A visit to American University's MFA Open Studios
Date: 2 October 2023, 8:52 pm

As I've noted multiple times over the last 20 years of this blog, and 40+ years of writing about art, I consider any University's open studios as a prime opportunity for young collectors to meet and acquire art by emerging artists, and this past Saturday it was American University's lauded MFA program's time for open studios by its MFA candidates.

The Open Studios were held on the second floor of the Katzen Art Center at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. 

I must give props that I was tipped off about the studios by Andres Izquierdo, an artist and Master in Fine Arts candidate at American University who took the initiative to reach out to me. I visited him in Studio 253 and see his latest work, and he was actively chatting about his work with a few folks who there at the same time. 

My art celebrates the awareness of self and the ability of people to reveal who they are. I work on oil and film.  You can experience my work on Instagram: [@zurdoartist]@zurdoartist and website https://zurdoart.wordpress.com.

The group of MFA candidates also showcased their latest art pieces in room 246 on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center, along with complimentary food and beverages as we are now fully recovered from the Covidian Age.

Before I get into the good stuff, and just as I complained about the same issue during my last visit to the Torpedo Factory, I was somewhat disappointed to see multiple close studio doors during the Open Studio night.  The reason for that could be:

(a) Those studios were not occupied by MFA candidates

(b) The MFA candidates from those studios did not want to participate in the Open Studios because: 

    • They were too chicken to interact with the public
    • The state of their artworks were not "ready" to be seen
    • They were too lazy
    • They were advised not to

Personally, I think that part of the biggest education than an art tudent can get is by interacting with the public; there's nothing like exposing your artwork to the masses to trigger artistic passions - both from positive criticism or negative feedback!

"Enough with your fucking whining about close studios Lenster," you say, "move on to the good stuff!"

Connor Gagne

The best first impression award (as well as the technical merit award) goes to Connor Gagne, a very young and very talented first year MFA candidate. See his photographic work here. I must warn that the website only shows Gagne's interesting photography work, but during the visit it was clear that this artist busted his tuchis to prepare for the Open Studios.

Gagne built wooden pulpits, created ancient looking leather-bound books - tomes once would say - to display his photos, along with a one-of-a-kind written language that Gagne has created. 

And Gagne, in spite of his youth, is an engaging dude, who at first appearance could easily pass for a time traveler who just popped in from medieval France, but ends up being a soft spoken, erudite and intelligent artist, able to get the viewer engaged and interested in his immensely complex and uniquely individual work!

We were also quite engaged and enlightened by the powerful political work of Phaedra Askarinam - her work, which has an intense focus on the issue of human rights in Iran, and in particular, the rights of women, is strong, visceral and elegant as it calls out Iran's brutal treatment of women.


"The only thing I could do to make an impact was to make my art big, make it seen, and invite other students to join me."

Phaedra Askarinam ‘24, an Iranian-born artist, watched protests unfold in her home country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Since then, anti-government protests have riled the country, leaving countless protesters injured, arrested, or dead. 

“For a few weeks I couldn’t make any art. I was paralyzed,” Phaedra says. “Then, I knew I had to do something. The protestors needed help.” As Askarinam’s artistic practice centers around the experiences of women and girls in society, she was roused to act in the only way she could—through her art.  

Phaedra was inspired to create a monumental, 19-foot-long banner dominated by a painted portrait of Amini. The banner hung in the Katzen Arts Center rotunda in December and again in February, when passers-by were invited to actively participate by signing the banner in solidarity with protestors. “Sometimes we pass by art, or only give it a few seconds. If you participate in something, you remember it—viewers feel like they did something. They were part of this. We all want to be part of something good that helps others.” Additionally, she asked viewers to contribute locks of their hair in tribute to Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “improperly.” 

In Iran, protests have been primarily led by students. Phaedra says, “I wanted to connect young people across the world, from our campus to theirs. We can amplify the protesters’ voices—plus, our students need to know and understand what’s happening around the world.”  

We also liked the complex, almost 3D works of Marie B. GauthiezPooja Campbell, and others.

In the visit, I asked almost every artist if they had ever heard of Art Bank; none had - this says something.

Enclosure