Floating Points of Sound

Stephen Moore's sound system for Issue Project Room

For those of you who are interested in sound -- or in the synesthesia of the audible and the visual -- the Issue Project Room in Brooklyn is a place that should be on your radar. This week they kick off their 4th annual Floating Points Festival -- a celebration of their "multi-channel hemispherical sound system" designed by Stephan Moore.

The Festival, co-curated by ISSUES founder/artistic director Suzanne Fiol and Moore, brings in emerging and established sound designers and composers who perform new works on the system which was created to help the listener "experience sound spatialization as a dynamic compositional element." Cool.

Just a few of the artists and musicians featured in performances over the next couple of weeks are: Hisham Bharoocha w/Ben Vida + Ateleia and Sadek Bazaraa, Alan Licht, Shelley Burgon. See Hear Now (David & Gisele Gamper), and Lesley Flanigan.

If this is your kind of venue, you should definitely subscribe to Issue's weekly e-news mailer when you're on their site.

Outdoor Sculpture & Local Wine

Three of artist Kate Grave's "Zero Tolerance Area" sculptures (that's one of them, above) are among outdoor sculptures on exhibit up at the 8th annual Buckingham Valley Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit. It takes place on the grounds of the Buckingham Valley Vineyards, 1521 Rt 413, Buckingham, PA.

Visitors are welcome to take self guided tours of the vineyard and wine cellars, check out the art (and taste some wine). The vineyard is open to the public 11-6 Tuesday thru Saturday, and 12-4 on Sundays (closed Mondays.)

This working vineyard, one of the oldest in the region, is in Bucks County, PA, between Newtown and Doylestown. Some of the other regional artists with work in the show are Ayami Aoyama, Kevin Forest, Patricia Goodrich, Harry Gordon, Kate Graves, Jonathan Hertzel, Milan J. Kralik, Andrew Logan, Rory Mahon, Mark Pettegrow, Christopher Smith, Christoph Spath, & Dana Stewart.

The show will be up through September 30, 2009, so there's plenty of time to pack your picnic basket and head over to Buckingham for a no cost day of art, nature, and maybe a little vino.

Explosive Colors Leaving Queenstown

one of Renee Kumar's works from her "Cracks in the Road" exhibit at Queenstown Gallery

Last chance to catch Renee Kumar’s beautiful and energizing solo show at the Queenstown Gallery’s Hopewell location. Gallery hours are posted as: Tuesday - Friday 9:30-5:30 and Saturday 10:00 -2:00, but you should probably call them at 609-466-0817 to confirm the hours for this holiday weekend. Just like Renee to end her show, with a bang, on the Fourth of July!

TAWA Blog for You

Slaughter Run by Rob Girandola

When identifying local community art blogs and websites earlier this month, I passed on the TAWA (Trenton Artists Workshop Association) website information, but neglected to pass along the Trenton Artist (TAWA) blog, heroically staffed by current TAWA board president, Rob Girandola. Here's the link.

Beautiful Losers at ACME

Before changing genre: Anneliese van Dommelen has been generous in sharing information about the films (especially artist-related films) happening up in Lambertville's ACME Screening Room (25 So. Union Street). Unfortunately, it's too late for In a Dream, their June feature. Still, I'm including the information about the film for those of you who, like me, had not known about this 2009 release. Isaiah Zagar is the compulsive genius behind the magical tile/mirror mosaics off of South Street in Philadelphia. I'll have to get artist Arlene Milgram, who was lucky enough to do a residency with Zagar through her Dodge Foundation Artist affiliation, to share some of her experiences with Isaiah on a late entry. But if you have somehow missed his Magical Garden adornments down in Philly, make the pilgrimage, check out this film, and check out his website.

Beautiful Losers is a documentary directed by Aaron Rose -- who also, not too coincidentally, curated NYC's Alleged Gallery during the 90s. It offers a deeper look at a small group of the artists who exhibited together at Alleged. Many came from the underground scenes of that decade: skateboarding, graffiti, punk, hip-hop. Featured artists include Margaret Kilgallen, Ed Templeton, Mike Mills, Stephen Powers, Barry McGee, Harmony Korine, Jo Jackson, Thomas Campbell, Chris Johanson, Geoff McFetridge, and more.

The Beautiful Losers screenings are on Saturday, July 11, at 7 and 8:50 pm (there appears to be a brief post/pre discussion at 8:30. Tickets are a super-reasonable $7 in advance/$10 at the door for this limited-showing release. The ACME Screening Room shows other films, too. As a matter of fact, Trouble the Water, the award-winning documentary feature (Grand Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival) that offers an insider's view of Hurricane Katrina (only $5 suggested donation at the door.) Check out ACME's website regularly for new features.

Stories within Stories

Be sure to check out Ilene Dube's Artful Blogger for information about the Princeton Library's excellent series of films about artists that their hosting this summer. Basquiat is one of those films.

Dee Pop's Focus on the Blues

Dee Pop (on drums) at Cake Shop 4/22/09

photo by Tricia Fagan

Dee Pop, drummer with the legendary Bush Tetras, is also the down-to-earth visionary force behind some of New York City's most creative on-going music gatherings. The next show in his Freestyle Music Series is going to "focus on the blues." It happens Sunday, July 5, 2009, from 7:00 pm -12:00 am at Local 269, reported to be an "all American dive" with good food, friendly bartenders, and well-poured Guiness. They're located at 269 East Houston, at the corner of Suffolk Street. on Manhattan's lower East side.

The line-up for this 4th-of-July-weekend show includes:

7:00 Jon Irabagon & Mike Pride duo perform "I Don't Hear Nothing But the Blues"

8:30 BOBBY RADCLIFF TRIO w/ Dee Pop & David Hofstra

"Bobby doesn't just perform the blues. He's possessed by them. He plays so angry and sings so hurt, it's like a catharsis - maybe even an exorcism - for both him and the audience... Be glad he's on your side. He's fierce all right, but he won't attack you; he'll drive away your demons. If, on the other hand, you fancy yourself a guitar player... be afraid. Be very afraid." Steve Hoffmann, WDCU-FM, Washington, DC

“It doesn’t get any hotter than that!” John Hammond, Jr.

10:00 Greasy Charlie Orchestra
...plus surprise guests

...all for an unbelievable $5 cover charge. In Manhattan. In 2009. Get there.

Still Made in Trenton

This Saturday, June 27th, Made in Trenton opens at Ellarslie, the Trenton City Museum, with a reception from 7 - 9 pm. Brian Hill, museum director, describes it as 'an exhibit of the many and varied goods produced in the capital city today." Manufacturing mainstays, including the Switlik Parachute Company (who outfitted the expeditions and exploits of early U.S. adventurers including Amelia Earhart and Admiral Richard Byrd) and the world famous Boehm Porcelain will be featured alongside work from Ana Candles, Dathil (e-learning business), Terracycle, Saya’s African Fashions, and the shop of Sasha Parubchenko, the blacksmith of Trenton.

The show will run through the summer to September 13, 2009. Lovers of Boehm porcelain should note that a special demonstration will be offered at Ellarslie by Boehm artists this Sunday, June 28, at 2:00 p.m. Boehm artists will show off techniques used in the company's signature flower making, and the construction and decoration of their popular flowers and eagle figures.

All This and Pink Cupcakes!

AVAM Director Rebecca Hoffberger poses with Andrew Logan's statue of Divine - coming to NYC this week!

Artist Kate Graves brings word that the incredible American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) in Baltimore is bringing 50+ pieces of work from their permanent collection to NYC this month. From this Friday, June 26, through July 20th, these works will be energizing the oh-so-so Fifth Avenue windows (they’re at #754) of Bergdorf Goodman. If you get up there on Friday, you may be able to grab one of the Sweet Things Bake Shop pink cupcakes being served by the Lower East Side Girls Club.

It may be an odd juxtaposition: a museum known for its outsider, found object, money-be-damned artists and a department store so lux that an on-line search of their site for “visionary” turns up a $195 ‘Visionary Top’ (in a rich blue!), and a search for “pink cupcake” gives you a $700 sapphire cupcake necklace. But we’re the winners here, with free cupcakes, and the chance to see works by AVAM artists like Vollis Simpson, Clyde Jones, and Judith Scott a little closer to home.

If you haven’t yet made the pilgrimage to AVAM, please do yourself a favor and get it on the top of your “to do” list. Wilbo and I happened to take one of the first of our “24 hour” vacations in Baltimore shortly after the museum opened in November, 1995. Browsing brochures for something to do (good marketing does work!), their little fold-over jumped out. Lucky us! We experienced the inaugural exhibition, the luminous Tree of Life. The show’s catalogue remains a favorite. The museum installs a new exhibit each year – giving you 10 -11 months to revisit and digest each new visual wonderland that they’ve so generously constructed.

This year’s show, The Marriage of Art, Science & Philosophy, is up through September 6, 2009. I can't wait to see it. It promises to be about“...100+ visionary artists/scientists/ inventors and philosophers taking a fresh look at the very notion of light, color, sound, pattern, number, scale, and purpose in their personal pursuit of Wonder." Not a lot of museums could really live up to that kind of hype. But the American Visual Art Museum really delivers.

One Man's Year in Pictures

by Andrew Wilkinson

Titusville/Trenton-based (respectively) artists Andrew Wilkinson and Lauren Otis understand the value of their own creative capital. Joining forces and multi-layered talents, they recently introduced their new venture: Art+Commerce Projects, a marketing business that looks to fuse "artistic vision in commercial context." A new 1 minute/15 second movie by Andrew, A Photo A Day illustrates that the relationship between art and commerce can work both ways. His story of how his approach to a job launched a year-long, 365-photo odyssey, and the movie he crafted from those images, can be found on the Art+Commerce website.

Some Opportunities to Exhibit

Here are a few call for entries to gear you up this summer. They're culled from an interesting, artist-friendly (mostly free) on-line site that lists exhibiting opportunities (mostly national): ArtShow. Good luck!!!

"Works on Paper" call for entries (Posted: 3/2/09) -- The Philadelphia Water Color Society announces a call to artists for the 109th Philadelphia Water Color Society Anniversary International Exhibition of Works on Paper, held October 3 - December 18, 2009 at the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Eligible media include: pastel, water media, drawings, original hand pulled prints. Download prospectus from the Philadelphia Water Color Society or send SASE to PWCS, 916 Sage Road, West Chester, Pa 19382. Deadline: June 22, 2009. 2 entries: $15 members, $45 nonmembers. Selection Juror: Stephen Quiller, AWS df, Awards Juror: Stephen Doherty. Prizes over $6,000.

"113th Annual Open Juried Exhibition" Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Inc. 113th Annual Open Juried Exhibition at the National Arts Club (NYC, NY), October 1 –October 23, 2009. Open to women artists. Media: oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, graphics and sculpture. Over $9000 in awards. Entry fee: $30/members & associates, $35/non-members. Juried by slides or cds. Postmark deadline: July 2, 2009. For prospectus, send SASE to Okki Wang, 431 Woodbury Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 or download a prospectus.

3rd Ward Summer Solo Show '09 -- Brooklyn, NY announces a call to artists working in all mediums - sculpture, photography, painting, printmaking, illustration, installation, graphic design, video, and more! Awards: $1,000 cash grant, A solo exhibition in 3rd Ward's gallery, complete with a massive opening reception, a 2-page spread in 3rd Ward's quarterly publication, and more. Jurors: Katherine Brinson, Curator at the Guggenheim, Amy Kisch of Sotheby's, and Jeremy Ortega, Art Director at Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine. Deadline: July 2, 2009. $25 entry fee. Visit 3rd Ward for details. Questions? Email: mailto:solo_show@3rdward.com?subject=3rd%20Ward%20call%20for%20entries%20listed%20on%20Artshow.com or call 718.715.4961.

"Icons & Art: Michelle & Barack" -- The J. Lucas Gallery in Provincetown, Massachusetts announces a call to artists for a group show to be held Sept. 25- Oct 25, 2009. "Icons & Art: Michelle & Barack" will focus on how the Obamas have seemingly overnight put hope back on the table. Whether it's issues of race, politics, or a sense that the rules have been rewritten, artists around the globe have incorporated Obama imagery into their work. Any 2-dimensional work. Max size: 16" x 20". Entry fee: $20.00 (US check or MO). For more info, visit Lucas Gallery or send a SASE to: J. Lucas Gallery, 437 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657. Deadline: July 24, 2009. Questions? Please contact John Lucas at mailto:john@jlucasgallery.com?subject=J.%20Lucas%20Gallery%20call%20for%20entries%20listed%20on%20Artshow.com or call 508-487-1890. (okay, this is left field...but I do love Cape Cod, and it's the summertime!!!)

"24th International Juried Show" -- The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey announces a call to artists for the "24th International Juried Show", January 15 - March 19, 2010 in Summit, New Jersey. Juror: Susan Kismaric, Curator for the Museum of Modern Art. Best In Show award: $1,000 prize and lunch with juror, Susan Kismaric; (3) Merit Awards- $200 each; Painting Award- $100; Photography Award- $100. This exhibition is open to all artists in all media from across the United States and abroad. Click for a prospectus (PDF format) or send SASE to: Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, NJ 07901. $35 entry fee. Deadline: October 1, 2009. Questions? Contact Jennifer Ayres at mailto:jayres@artcenternj.org?subject=24th%20International%20Juried%20Show%20call%20for%20entries%20listed%20on%20Artshow.com or call 908-273-9121.

Exhibitors, Be Aware (and Sometimes Beware)

Professional artists, you can skip this entry. But all of you artists just starting to venture out there with your wonderful work -- you might want to read this. I'll try to be short.

Writing the Report to the Field newsletter for the NJ State Council on the Arts impressed on me this simple fact: Exhibition opportunities are all over -- but they're not created equal. If you see an exhibition opportunity that looks interesting, step back for a minute. Take off your 'artist hat' and put on whatever helps you tune in your common sense. This is an imortant job for an emerging (and established) artist to take on for him or herself.

If you're not familiar with a venue or an organization, spend some time researching. Nine out of ten opportunities but that 'tenth time' can be a tough lesson for an artist. Some things to look into: Is this a real organization? What's their history? How long have they been holding this exhibit? Where are they located? Is there press information online about this group? Are there any negative reviews or comments that you can find?

Has the organization/gallery listed contact information? Is there a legitimate street address? Is there a person's name associated with either the organization or the show? Juried shows should post the name of the juror/s. Look them up. Are they legitimate? Are there prizes associated with the exhibit? Is there an entrance fee? How much? Think twice about entering shows where the entry fees seem unusually high, especially with new organizations -- even if the prospectus lists generous awards.

What's the small print? Does work have to be for sale? What is the gallery/venue's commission? Who's responsible for getting the work to and from the exhibition space? What kind of marketing do they do? Is there a reception? Do they send postcards? Emails? Is the work insured? (You'd be surprised how many spaces are not insured for art. Artists may choose to exhibit in an uninsured space if they really like the venue, or if they know/trust the exhibiting organization. Still, this is information you should know, in advance.

And the new world of on-line galleries and juried shows is yet another brave new frontier that I know too little about to be able to comment intelligently. Anyone?

If the exhibit, venue, organization appears to be legitimate, how do you decide which shows to enter? Bottom line: it's up to you. But I'll offer some considerations in a separate post.

Trying to Change "Normal"

Hopewell-based artist Debbie Reichard will be presenting a free slide talk on her sculpture at the Princeton Public Library this coming Monday, June 22 at 7 pm. (For directions and parking information, go to the Library site.)

Local folks may know Debbie from her days with Trenton Avant Garde, or her time teaching ceramics at the Arts Council of Princeton. Or maybe you’ve admired her artwork in local exhibitions (her towering, slightly drunk ceramic bowling pins remain one of my memorable favorites.) Her approach to art-making is totally unique: funny, sometimes cynical, beautifully crafted, and always entertaining. To quote notes from an exhibit of her work, while her background may be in ceramics, “...her materials and methods have grown to include anything that she does not already know how to do.”

Debbie’s currently a Visiting Assistant Professor of Sculpture at Herron School of Art and Design, (University of Indiana/Purdue U.) in Indianapolis, so this is a rare opportunity to hear from the artist while she's a little closer to home. Check it out! And check out Debbie’s website to see a little more about what she’s working on these days.

Image: "Lawn Order" grass and roundup, installation at the Newark Museum, 2007 Courtesy of the Artist

Volunteers Needed for 'Chasing' a Dream

There really is a lot of art going on in the area for this Father’s Day weekend. Still, if your dad is the type of guy who prefers rolling up his sleeves and tackling the next project rather than having brunch with a genteel crowd, you might consider an art-event that requires some heavy lifting. It’ll be a great bonding experience!

Pete Abrams, of Modern Metal Work studio, is an artist, a businessman, a dad, and a dreamer. To be clear: he’s a dreamer who really makes things happen. Right now, he dreams of a communal industrial space where art makers and art enjoyers can get together to create and display their work – particularly large scale work. On Father’s Day, this Sunday, he’s holding a working party to show off a space he’s found in the old Roebling Complex in Trenton that he envisions as the future Trenton Atelier.

But before Sunday, he really needs help prepping the building for the (post-Art All Night) party. Incidentally, it’s not all heavy work involved; he’s also looking for assistance with food prep and other party-planning activities.

Pete’s also bringing his Firebowls to this weekend’s Art All Night and is looking for folks who could help keep the bowls going for the 24 hours. If you can help, contact Pete directly at 609-610-3624

You can read more about Pete Abrams and his ideas in this month’s Trenton Downtowner. [A side note: He’s also accepting interns at this time to work with him at Modern Metal Work learning the art of metal fabrication and sculpture.]

Image: Abrams FireBowl, courtesy of the artist

Get YOUR Art on the Wall! Art All Night!

Art All Night, the 24 hour multi-arts party hosted by ARTWORKS in Trenton, takes place this weekend from 3 pm Saturday (June 20) - 3 pm Sunday (June 21). This is the 3rd annual, and -- having been at both #1 and #2 -- I can tell you that it is one of those "not to be missed" events.

There's still time for all of you ARTISTS out there to be a part of this event. Artists (trained, untrained, professional, amateur, poseur, racanteur -- it doesn't matter!!!) of all ages from any area are invited to submit one piece of art to be displayed. Drop off of artwork takes place 6 - 9 pm this Friday night, June 19, and from 8 am - 2 pm on Saturday morning, the 20th. You'll speed things up if you upload the registration form from the Art All Night website.

And if you'd like to be even more involved, there are still shifts open for volunteers. It's a great way to meet other artists, check out a full mix of music, and party with the best of them...all for FREE (although purchase of an Art All Night T-shirt, and a few dollars in the "Donate" boxes will ensure that ARTWORKS -- and Art All Night -- keeps doing its good work.

Black Film Festival returns to Trenton

from This is My Africa

Once again, film lovers will have an opportunity to check out the Newark Black Film Festival at the NJ State Museum in Trenton this summer. A full roster of movies - old and new - explore different aspects of the African American experience during this six week, FREE, festival. In recent years, this Festival has played host to numerous emerging filmmakers, directors, actors, writers, and producers who have mingled with viewers throughout the event. For a full listing of films and events, you can go to the State Museum's website at www.state.nj.us/state/museum/index.htm  

One featured film is Zina Saro-Wiwa's award winning documentary film, This Is My Africa. The memories, dreams, culture and experiences of 20 London-based Africans and Africa-lovers are woven into a "...50-minute crash course in African culture."

Ribbon of Life - D&R Greenway

The D&R Greenway is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with more than 200 properties preserved for posterity! You're invited to join the party on June 19th at the Opening Reception for the Ribbon of Life exhibit. It blends works by contemporary artists with vintage views of the canal culled from old post cards, prints, photographs. For more information, you can go to www.drgreenway.org or call them at 609-924-4646.

This show is funded, in part, by the Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission through a Mercer County History Regrant.

Fiber Arts from the Past

Art is all over -- and in my book, art takes a lot of different forms and shapes. The art of living, truly living, is just one example; and there's always room for checking in with our recent past for some examples of how to pursue that particular art a little more - well ----- artfully! This Sunday, June 14, folks in the Mercer County area can step back a couple of hundred years with a free visit to the Schenck House in Zaitz Park, 50 Southfield Rd., West Windsor, NJ. The house is open 1 to 4 p.m. for self-guided tours of this beautifully restored 1790-1830 farmhouse and its out-buildings. The museum rooms include an exhibit on West Windsor history and a special display of "Women's Handi-crafts" a fiber arts exhibit featuring quilts, weaving, tatting, crocheting and embroidery of all types. This is the last day of this show. Donations are always appreciated. For additional information contact Mary Schenck at 609-799-1230

And while we're talking history options, you history buffs may want to note down that New Jersey Day—an observance of New Jersey’s 345th founding as a British proprietary colony—is taking place at the State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton, on June 24 at 2:00 p.m.   It's free & open to the public.

Special tours will be offered of the State Museum, the State House, the State Archives, and the World War II memorial, outstanding students and teachers will be saluted for their achievements in the field of history, and two priceless historical documents will be on display:

• the June 24, 1664 royal grant that established New Jersey

• a rare, original copy of the Declaration of Independence printed July 4, 1776.

I also hear that there's going to be fife and drums (thanks to the Old Barracks Museum) and CAKE!

RSVP by calling 609-777-0881. For directions visit 

www.nj.gov/state/museum/index.htm or www.trentonparking.com

Last Call at MoMA

Here's a quick "last chance" reminder for those of you who may be going into NYC this weekend: MoMA's Tangled Alphabet exhibition ends June 15. The show offers a rare opportunity to explore work by two of the most respected 20th/21st C. artists of South America: León Ferrari (Argentina) and Mira Schendel (Brazil, b. Switzerland). You'll find it on the sixth floor of the Museum in the International Council of The Museum of Modern Art Exhibition Gallery.

If you want to learn more, or if you can't make it in to the City this weekend ('cause you're going to be at ARTWORKS or FIGMENT, maybe?), be sure to check out the exhibition on-line before the show ends. You'll find great videos, a slide show of works on display, and can even purchase and download the catalogue. Very compelling work; check it out.

Weird NJ Photography Show Call for Entries

Thanks to Amy Sullivan down at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts www.riverfrontcenter.org down in Millville, NJ, for sharing this notice. It's for all you photographers out there (I haven't forgotten you!) And some of you (you know who you are!) will find this show right up your alley! I'm copying their description and calendar, so you get the full flavor of the exhibit. Contact them directly for a copy of the full prospectus.
"The Noyes Museum of Art and Weird NJ announce a Weird NJ Photography Exhibition to be held at the Noyes Museum. This juried event intends to discover what oddities may be lurking in the woods, under the boardwalk or at the local watering hole all within the state of New Jersey. Our goal is to gather the weirdest photos of New Jersey. What specifies weird? Is it eerie, strange, historic, crazy, unbelievable, tacky, or forbidden? Photos will be selected for their originality, photographic quality – or just plain weirdness."
Who can resist?!! If you haven’t been down there yet, the Noyes Museum of Art is great; and for Jersey Shore lovers, it’s a two-fer, since the Noyes is right in Oceanville! For a full prospectus, go to the Noyes website at www.noyesmuseum.org

Calendar
DEADLINE FOR Submissions: August 7, 4 p.m., 2009
Notification of accepted works via email: by August 30, 2009
Accepted artwork Delivered to Noyes Museum: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2009
Exhibition Dates: Friday, October 16 - February 28, 2010
Opening Reception: Friday, October 16, 5:00 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Pick-up of Artwork: 10:00 a.m. - 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 2, 2010

FIGMENT Festival this weekend!!!

Thanks to both Ellen Hackl Fagan (whose incredible Reverse Color Organ installation in The Listening Eye exhibit wowed visitors here at The Gallery back in 2005) and Cindy Stockton Moore (Dangerous Women Two [DW2] participant and an amazing artist and instructor) who each have work in this weekend’s FIGMENT Festival. Their invitations reminded me that the 3rd annual version of this AMAZING event takes place this weekend, June 12-14th. Some of the installations will remain on view as 'City of Dreams', an interactive sculpture garden and the artstop Mini-Golf course through October 11, 2009.

The music/art/performance/installation/anything goes happening takes place across New York City’s historic Governor’s Island. The ferry to the island is free -- as are all of the events - which feature 400+ artists and include everything from performance art to mini-golf.

Ellen's holding forth at location AW05 with her process art workshop, The Alphabet Game. Cindy and fellow DW2 artist Abby Goodman’s found-object sculpture Salvage will be on display in the City of Dreams sculpture garden through October. Cindy plans on being there on Friday. Cindy and Abby documented much of their process in creating Salvage, and you can check it out on Cindy’s site www.cindystocktonmoore.com/figment.html

For more information about FIGMENT - including a map of the events and installations – go to http://figmentnyc.org/2009/

For directions to the Manhattan or Brooklyn ferries going to Governor’s Island (and a schedule) go to: http://www.govisland.com/Visit_the_Island/directions.asp

Note: sketch of Slavage by Abby Goodman/Cindy Stockton Moore

West Windsor Arts Council

West Windsor Farmer's Market 2006, NY Times photo by Nick Longo

I just want to remind you that while they're still working tirelessly towards converting the historic Princeton Junction Firehouse into a thriving Art Center for the community, the West Windsor Arts Council is also in full swing, offering a remarkable series of (usually free!) cultural and fun offerings for the public. This weekend they'll be back with children's art activities (this time, print-making a la Andy Warhol) at their stand at the West Windsor Farmer's Market, and the next installation of their summer music concerts featuring Swingadelic at the Nassau Park Pavilion, between Panera Bread and Target, in the Nassau Park Shopping Center.

There's too much going on with this group to mention here, so visit their website or, better still (if you live in the area), email them at info@westwindsorarts.org and ask to be put on their WWAC Update broadcast.

Mercer County Senior Art Show

Mercer County’s Office on Aging and Division of Culture & Heritage announce that the prospectus is available for this year’s Mercer County Senior Art Show. Show dates: August 17 through August 27, 2009 at the Robbinsville Senior Center at 1117 Route 130 in Robbinsville. Completed registration form must be received at the Mercer County Office on Aging by August 10.

The show is open to all Mercer County residents age 60 or older. All submissions must be the original work of the applicant, created within the last three years, and not previously entered in the Mercer County Senior Art Show. One piece of art can be submitted in any of the following categories: acrylic, computer-generated images, drawing, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography (including digital), prints, and watercolor. Artists may enter as either as either a Professional or non-Professional (amateur) artist. One winner in each category will be selected on to the state show which will be held in October in Mercer County this year at Meadow Lakes, Hightstown.

For information, or a copy of the prospectus, go to the Mercer County website (click the link under “more information”) or call the Division office at 609-278-2712. Copies should also be available at your local library.

Call for Artists: Women in History

Shades of Dangerous Women! The Da Vinci Art Alliance has issued a Call for Entries for their Heroines and Harlots: Women in History exhibit coming up this September. It's great to see momentum in getting women's history out there more and more in the public eye! This open juried awards exhibition at Da Vinci Art Alliance is looking for art depicting the female personage in history, literature, and religion.

Receipt deadline for entry forms: August 8, 2009
9-27 September 2009
Opening Awards Reception: Saturday, September 12, 6-9 pm
PHC Lecture and Closing Reception: Sunday, September 27, 1-4 pm

The Juror and awards judge will be Kathryn McFadden -- artist, instructor at the Fleisher Art Memorial and former director of the Rowan University Art Gallery.

Contact the Alliance for a prospectus and more information:
704 Catharine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: 215-829-0466
Email: davinciartalliance@verizon.net
Web: www.davinciartalliance.org

More learning opportunities

Another local artist offering private and group instruction (painting and drawing) is John Murdoch. If you managed to catch last season's "Favorite Things" exhibition in The Gallery at MCCC, you'll remember the luminous, gold-touched works that John showed.

Those of you who had been studying with him at his old studio at the Art Station in Hightstown, know he's relocated to Pennsylvania, but he still offers workshops in the Princeton area on a fairly regular basis. If you're looking to work with someone new, or if you're interested in exploring an atelier-like approach to some classical drawing and painting methods, you may want to check John out.

Contact him directly, and ask to be put on his email list. His new contact information is:

John Murdoch info@murdochart.com
267-221-6046
5113 Anderson Road, PO Box 348, Holicong, PA 18928

June's in Bloom

image by Anneliese van Dommelen

Love art? Love gardens? This is your weekend. There's a one-week "Garden of Artistic Delights" exhibit being offered at ARTWORKS, to accompany this Saturday's Mill Hill Garden Tour in Trenton. Their gallery is only open on Saturdays, so you have the choice of attending the opening reception this week, Saturday June 13 from 5 to 7 pm, or to return on June 19 during their noon - 4 pm gallery hours.

ARTWORKS board member and exhibiting artist Robin Robinson generously offered a sneak preview, and there's plenty to like (and purchase!) at this show which happily marries fine art painting, sculpture and photography, with exquisitely crafted bird houses and other garden-oriented, beautiful items created by local artists. For more, check out the ARTWORKS site http://www.artworkstrenton.org/. And while you're there, remind yourself to enter art in (and maybe volunteer at) this year's ART ALL NIGHT event, coming up on June 20 - 21.

For information about the Mill Hill Garden Tour, go to www.trentonmillhill.org/events-garden.html

Papermaking in the Garden

Judy Tobie, another talented artist who works primarily with handmade paper, is offering one-day workshops this summer in her Mercer County, NJ garden studio. Workshops are available in Papermaking, Basic Bookbinding, and Paste Paper. And there’s a light vegetarian luncheon included in the cost! For additional information about taking these sessions, location and fees (fees are reduced if you take more than one workshop), please email Judy directly at tobiej3@yahoo.com.

PAPERMAKING WORKSHOPS For beginner to experienced participants. Learn basics of papermaking using a variety of materials including plant fibers from the garden, recycled paper, and cotton and abaca fibers. Learn how you can make paper at home, where to order supplies and get invaluable reference information and materials. You'll go home with a stack of beautiful papers.

Papermaking workshops run from 10.00am - 3.00pm

JUNE Saturday June 27th (rain date Sunday 28th)

JULY Saturday July 18th (rain date Sunday 19th)
Wednesday July 22nd (rain date Thursday 23rd)

AUGUST Saturday August 8th (rain date Sunday 9th)
Wednesday August 12th (rain date Thursday 13th)

SIMPLE BOOKBINDING WORKSHOP Learn how to bind a beautiful, but simple, book with paper, needle and thread. All materials to make a number of small books will be provided, but you can also use some of your own handmade papers. Simple fold books, concertina, pamphlet, and one sheet books will be introduced. You will use Japanese Stab binding, an elegant easily-stitched binding, with many variations. All materials supplied.

1 Session 10.00 am -12.30 pm
Saturday August 15th

PASTE PAPER WORKSHOP Paste paper process is the art of making decorative papers by brushing the paper with a mixture of paint and paste and then dragging various tools across the surface creating beautiful designs. It's very easy and lots of fun.

1 session 10.00 am -12.30 pm
Saturday August 29th

Playing with Fire (and Concrete!)

Sculptor Rory Mahon is offering opportunities for artists looking to expand their skills in casting, concrete, and working with aluminum and bronze. For a copy of the full descriptions of the classes (synopsized below), along with class cost and material fees, email Rory directly at rory98@hotmail.com.

In addition to being a gifted artist, Rory's a generous and dedicated teacher with more than 25 years experience. He worked for me down at ARTWORKS, and students regularly commented on his knowledge, great teaching style, and generosity. All classes will be offered at his foundry studio in Pennington, NJ.

Cement Casting into Sand: This casting method allows Artists to create molds by carving or pressing objects into moist Mason Sand and Clay. Students should finish 2 to 4 projects that can be put outside and lasts a very long time. Two, 5-week classes on Tuesday afternoons, 1pm to 4pm, AND Tuesday evenings, 6:30 to 9:30. Starting June 23rd. Maximum of 6 Students.

Direct Modeling in Cement with Armatures: This method offers Artists a way of building larger sculptural pieces that are hollow and relatively light weight. You will make and use a simple armature and learn the proper ways of mixing and applying cements and additives. Six week class on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 to 9:30. Starting June 24th. Maximum of 6 Students.

Aluminum Casting in Green Sand: An age-old technique of creating Sand Molds in the negative and pouring molten Aluminum. Learn the basic ‘Cope and Drag’ technique (Google it!) with a minimum of ‘Cheeks’ to start off with. Great for any Artist who is thinking of starting his or her own backyard foundry. Two, 5-week classes on Thursday afternoons, 1pm to 4pm, AND Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 9:30. Starting June 25th. Maximum of 6 Students.

Bronze Casting with No-Bake Sand Molds: Learn the basics of making these kinds of molds, and see how you can, in time, push the limits to cast anything you want. This is an intermediate class for people who have a grasp on some Moldmaking techniques. Slightly higher materials fee. Six week class on Saturday afternoons, 12pm to 3pm. Starting June 27. Maximum of 6 Students.

so...now you're doing THIS?!!!

Hey, hey, hey...So many opportunities to make and explore art...so little time to let everyone know about it!

So, here's why I'm doing this: Many artists in the tri-state (NJ/PA/NY) area are on the list to get my occasional email updates with artist opportunities, exhibition updates, show notices; but the logistics of juggling multiple email lists, multiple work locations, and multiple hats has meant these emails get out more and more slowly.

Now artists -- terrific artists -- are sending me information about workshops and classes that they are offering. And I'd like to be able to pass it on. So, here we are: Art All Over.

Want to note that there are already several great art bloggers posting exhibit reviews, previews and updates in the Central Jersey region. I'm not them, so please by sure to check out Ilene Dube's Artful Blogger www.packetinsider.com/blog/art and Susan Roseman's website (complete with blogs). Both of these women are queens when it comes to sharing information for artists.

Also, be sure to explore some of the websites for local artists' coops and art centers. Some of the ones I know well include ArtsBridge http://www.artsbridgeonline.com/; ARTWORKS http://www.artworkstrenton.org/; In Liquid (Philly area) www.inliquid.com/ and TAWA (the Trenton Artists Workshop Association - note: they're apparently in the process of updating their site) www.tawa-nj.org/

Quick note: will not be posting announcements/opportunities from artists, people or organizations that I don't know. And we'll only be offering workshop information if we know the artist teaching it -- both as an artist and as a teacher. It's still up to each of you out there to contact the instructors and places directly and get a feel for whether or not classes or shows work for you.

Let's see how this works out. There really is 'art all over'!