Getting in on the Ground Floor

Artist Karen Smith instructing at ARTWORKS, 2006. T.Fagan photo

From the West Windsor Arts Council:

Request for Proposals: Teaching Artists / Arts Teachers

The West Windsor Arts Council will open the West Windsor Arts Center in the historic Alexander Road firehouse in early 2010. The arts center will house a performance space and a classroom space. In an effort to introduce the community to the types of classes that we will hold in the new arts center, we will be offering weekend workshops for adults and children beginning in late October, 2009 at the newly expanded Senior Center.

We are looking for talented and experienced teaching artists and arts teachers to kick-off this new endeavor. We are now prioritizing proposals for workshops that can be completed in one or two days (or a portion thereof). We are particularly interested in artists /teachers who may want to offer more extensive classes in the future, but can give us a taste of their work through a shorter workshop or workshops. This is a great opportunity for the members of the community and the arts council to get to see you in action and get a sense of what will be offered in the new space next year.

If you are interested in applying to present a workshop through the West Windsor Arts Council, please send the following information to Arts Classes, West Windsor Arts Council, PO Box 952, West Windsor, NJ 08850 orExDir@WestWindsorArts.org by August 31, 2009.

Ø Current resumé with a focus on your teaching experience

Ø Written proposal (1-2 pages) including the targeted age group of participants, length of workshop, materials or supplies needed (and cost), and specific space or technical needs

Ø Additional materials as appropriate including work samples, documentation, or publicity. If you wish these materials to be returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

For more information about the West Windsor Arts Council and the West Windsor Arts Center, please visit our website at www.WestWindsorArts.org

A Summer Palace in the Trees

Summer Palace

If you didn’t catch the shamanic splendor of sculptor Patrick Dougherty’s “tree installation” at the Grounds for Sculpture a few years ago, or if you simply miss the experience of wandering and wondering through that type of earth-constructed magic, consider visiting the Morris Arboretum (of the University of Pennsylvania) where Summer Palace, one of his latest installations, will remain on view until it gives in to the elements.

The Arboretum is beautiful, 92 acres of rare trees and romantic vistas (its designed landscapes are based on elegant Victorian-era designs) just northwest of Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill.) The staff work hard to integrate art, science, human ideas and the natural world -- and it’s open year-round, 7 days a week. There is an entrance fee. There are also (in addition to the grounds, themselves) special permanent and rotating exhibits (including the miniature Garden Railway that runs through the gardens until mid-October), occasional concerts, and an extremely reasonable cafe on-site, so you can easily make a full day of it.

By the way, for a serene video re-visit to Patrick's Grounds for Sculpture installation, check out Rich Butterfoss’ award winning documentary on YouTube .

Attention Screen Writers!

Screenwriters with any level of experience working on scripts for a science or technology related film are invited to apply for the 2010 Sundance Institute/Alfred P. Sloan Commissioning Grant. This annual cash award is for a film script that is at an early stage of development, such as full treatment or early screenplay draft.

Eligible projects must have science or technology as a major theme or have scientists as major characters. Science fiction projects may be considered as long as there is a base scientific reality at the heart of the film. Projects must be narrative features (not documentary in nature) and must be in the English language. The screenwriter does not need to reside in the U.S. Projects currently in development within the studio system are not eligible.

The award, funded by the

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and administered by the Sundance Institute, includes a cash grant of up to $20,000 to provide support during the writing period, and a stipend of up to $5,000 for a science advisor. It also provides creative support during the writing process, practical support from the Sundance film staff. and even the possibility of a fellowship to a Sundance screenwriters lab.

The full prospectus is available online.

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

Thanks so much to Maria Alonso Snyder for this exciting alert: Starting this THURSDAY, July 23rd, and continuing every Thursday night through September 17th, the Mercer County area will be able to enjoy its own version of outdoor ballroom when Henri Velandia from the Princeton-based Hot Salsa Hot studio brings “Forrestal Summer Night Swing," a salsa-and-swing-social, to the Forrestal Village. The evenings will include live music by Swing Sabroso, as well as free dance lessons (7-8 pm) with Henri as well as special performances in addition to the 8 – 10:30 pm social dancing!!!

The modest suggested donation of $5 goes to support Dancevision, the Princeton-based dance education non-profit.

Update for Capital Health Art Search

detail of installation by artist John Bishop at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

The design team coordinating art submissions for the Capital Health campus being developed in Hopewell (see earlier blog) has sent an update regarding special application procedures for people interested in being considered for murals and large-scale site-specific artwork:

“Four distinctive areas in the new Capital Health building have been set aside for major two-dimensional site specific works of art. Each will be a unique component of a dynamic history exhibition tracking the 112-year history of Mercer Hospital and Capital Health. (They seek) artists to conceive and execute large scale fine artworks for this unique history installation. Art may be of any medium, but must be close to two-dimensional in execution. For a detailed project description and information for submissions click here.

This project deadline is August 15, 2009
To submit or for more information contact Stacy Kent at
kentdesign1@mac.com or 215-646-9471

Your Art Here...

Updike Farm, painting by Joe Kazimierczyk

Walking New Brunswick, photo collage by Madelaine Shellaby

R.C. Maxwell, once of Trenton, NJ, has a long and revered place in the history of billboard advertising in the United States. Ghosts of their original signs still hover on the brick surfaces of many Trenton buildings, and images of many of their pre-neon billboards are in national collections, including the Library of Congress and Duke University. Billboards have fallen on hard times in recent years, although many conceptual artists have eyed up (and in some cases, used) that prime time visual real estate with creative hunger. If you’re one of those artists who’s looked at a billboard and ‘dreamt big’ about your work, then read on:

Palisades, a New Jersey car insurance company, has a new promotional campaign, “Drive with a Smile.” They want to “...bring the distinctive and unique beauty of New Jersey into focus for drivers...” – and they need NJ artists to make it work! Recently, the company kicked off its Palisades Highway Art Gallery (a series of NJ highway and roadway billboards featuring original works by area artists) on prominent billboards on 1-80 near exit 65 in Bergen County and on I-295 near exit 67 in Mercer County. The inaugural works are by NJ landscape artists Tim Daly (Hoboken) and Gary Godbee (Westfield).

The next series of installations will be created and selected by the public. New Jersey residents are invited to compete to have their work featured on the Highway Art Gallery billboards throughout the state. Submit digital images of original paintings, drawings, photography and mixed media of scenic views, landscapes and destinations in NJ to the Drive with a Smile Web site, and the public will vote on the images. Entrants should “...make New Jersey scenes and landscapes their inspiration and central focus.”

The work will be shown in an online gallery, and visitors to the Web site will be able to vote for their favorite entries through August 7th. Based on the number of votes entries receive, up to a dozen submissions will be selected to be reproduced onto billboards on major highways and roadways in NJ counties from Bergen to Atlantic.

Check out the online press release and entry form for full information (be sure to read and think about the small print at the bottom of the page about the use of all work submitted). Good luck to those who enter – and if you’re not entering, make certain to vote for your favorites – at least two Mercer County artists (two of their images, above) are already in the running!!

Snack Pack Art

image by Sparrow vs Swallow design group

image by Sara Antoinette Martin for Dimebag 3

I'll admit up front that art in miniature holds great fascination for me...it hasn't lost its allure since childhood. Done well, I find it as moving and intriguing as a rare bird or flower. While all the 240+ artists with works in Jordin Isip's and Rodger Stevens' latest co-curated project, Dimebag 3 (on view at the Giant Robot Gallery in NYC through August 12) don't attain that jewel-like status, but there's plenty to look at here. The gallery is at 437 East 9th St. (between 1st + A), NYC [212-674-4769]. Gallery hours are M – Sat. 11:30 am – 8 pm; Sun. 12 – 7.

"Digging" the Art in this Show!

Rain is Coming (watercolor & beeswax - detail) by Joy Kreves

"Digging Dandelions" mixed media exhibition by

the ever-creative Mercer County artist Joy Kreves

Opening Reception is this Sunday, July 19, 1-3pm

Show runs July 19 - Sept. 27, 2009

River's Edge Gallery at Bridgeton House,

1525 River Rd., Upper Black Eddy, PA (just off the bridge to Milford, NJ)

Gallery hours: daily 12-3

610-982-5856

West Windsor's Own Avenue of the Arts - You're Invited!

OPEN CALL TO ARTISTS

The West Windsor Arts Council (WWAC) is hosting a month-long celebration, “Avenue of the Arts,” at MarketFair in West Windsor through the month of September, 2009. The event highlights the grand re-opening of the Michael Graves-redesigned shopping center, and is also a major fundraiser for the West Windsor Arts Council’s campaign to convert the Princeton Junction Firehouse to an arts center.

In addition to numerous events and opportunities at the MarketFair, the month will also feature an exhibit of visual arts hanging throughout MarketFair and a concurrent art exhibit at the West Windsor Library, as well as a patron’s party, featuring architect Michael Graves. Graves, the Princeton-based, world-respected architect (who was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2001) will serve as the juror for the art exhibit, which will feature local and regional artists.

Artists are encouraged you to submit JPEGs (at 300 dpi on a CD) of up to two works in any medium. There is an entry fee of $5 per piece. Works on paper must be framed and ready to hang with picture wire – no frames with clips will be accepted. Sculptors of three-dimensional work must supply pedestal or easel. Work will be insured against damage and theft. CD, check made out to West Windsor Arts Council and attached form including two-sentence bio should be mailed to WWAC, PO Box 952, West Windsor, NJ.

DEADLINE: August 12 receipt by WWAC of CD, check, and completed submission form.

NOTIFICATION: August 26 (by email)

DELIVERY OF ACCEPTED WORK: August 29

PICKUP OF UNSOLD WORK September 30 (WWLibrary), October 3 (MarketFair)

And, everyone, the WWAC asks that you please save these dates:

Sept. 12 – Ticketed Patron’s Party (all accepted artists will be invited as guests!)

Sept. 26 – Full Avenue of the Arts celebration day of music, food, shopping and art

For a copy of the application form or further information about the event or the West Windsor Arts Council, call 609-919-1982 or e-mail info@westwindsorarts.org

Explore the Juror's Work

Desert Paradox by Ruane Miller - who will be jurying Gallery 125's upcoming Point of View exhibit

Call for Entries: Point of View

Gallery 125 has issued a CALL FOR ENTRIES for their Winter, 2009-10 exhibit,

Point of View

This show will include all media except video and installations.
New information: The juror for this exhibition will be Ruane Miller, Professor at the College formerly known as Trenton State!

Deadline - September 23, 2009
EXHIBIT -- Nov. 13 through Jan. 2, 2009

Submit digital files (up to 5 images) on CD along with $20 check made out to TDA/Gallery 125.
CD images must be .jpg files 4" x 6" at 300 DPI. Entries must include on paper:
1. Artist's name, address, phone number and email address.
2. Brief biography/resume.
3. Title **(title of piece must be the same name as the file name on CD), medium, framed dimensions and year created for each entry.

Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you wish to have your CD returned.
NOTIFICATION: SELECTED ARTISTS POSTED ON THE GALLERY 125 WEBSITE BY OCTOBER 2

Gallery 125
125 South Warren St., Trenton, NJ 08608
609.989.9119

Spend a weekend in Hopewell

...or, at least, spend several happy hours checking out current exhibits in this historic, lovely town. Afterwards, there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from...

Local artist Micheal Madigan is represented at Morpeth Gallery; his painting, Kiva, is above

Check out the always-beautiful work at the Ruth Morpeth Gallery, 43 West Broad St. Hopewell, NJ 08525 (609-333-9393) Summer Gallery hours for July are: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, 11 am – 5 pm and by appointment.

Photographer Ed Eckstein’s show Offshoots will be at Queenstown Gallery through September 12, 2009. It features images that “...caught his fancy while he was working for others.” Queenstown Gallery, 24 West Broad St., Hopewell , NJ 08525. (609-466-0817). Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm.

Seckel Pears 2 by Martha Weintraub

Gallery 14 is all about photography. Through August 2, you can see Still Lifes with Fruit by Martha Weintraub, Hackensack Crossings by Jim Hilgendorf, and (in the small gallery) works by Ed Greenblat. Gallery 14, 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525 (609-333-8511) Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays, noon – 5 pm and by appointment.

by Jim Hilgendorf

Your Own Midsummer's Dream

Leucantha by P. Grausman at Grounds for Sculpture by Ricardo Barros

The folks at PHS Senior Living Foundation are presenting their own version of a midsummer’s ‘evening’ dream on Wednesday, July 22 at 7 pm. As part of their ENCORE Opera program, they’re hosting a FREE outdoor concert at Hamilton’s amazing Grounds for Sculpture. Here’s a great opportunity for audiences of all ages to hear Broadway favorites sung by some of today’s finest young opera stars. Glorious voices, familiar tunes, magical surroundings, and the warm, sweet air of mid-summer…what’s not to love? Remember the insect spray, then prepare to be carried away. (Just tell the gate attendants at the Grounds for Sculpture that you’re there for the ENCORE Opera concert.)

Seeking Communications Coordinator

From the Arts Council of Princeton Job Opportunity Communications Coordinator The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) is seeking a Communications Coordinator to oversee publicity and general communications, including electronic and print media. Responsibilities include: preparation of press releases and email announcements; management of website updates; oversight of advertising contracts and ad placements; providing support for all Arts Council programs, events and fundraising activities; and general administrative support and public interaction in a busy, fast-paced, creative environment. This position reports to the Executive Director. Click link for full job description and other information. DEADLINE: July 24, 2009

FRINGE!!!

In 1947, when 8 univited theater groups performed around the edges of the Edinburgh International Festival, they kicked off a festival series that -- more than 60 years later -- is larger and wilder than ever. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival today, with more than 2,000 shows in 250+ venues, may be the great-granddaddy of the international Fringe events, but there are several local FringeFests coming up that are worthy contenders. image by Eva Surany

The New York International Fringe Festival has been around since 1997, and coming up this August 14th - 30th, 2009, some of the top theater groups and independent performers in the world will converge in our frontyard for our entertainment. And this year, among the groups juried in, will be a contingent from Mercer County Community College.

"1-900-SELFPLEX," written by MCCC adjunct instructor Alex DeFazio and directed by Jody Person (coordinator of the college’s Theatre/Dance program) features 3 recent graduates of the MCCC Theatre Program: Deena Jiles, Patrick Martin and Michelle Wood in the feature roles. A 2009 graduate of the college, Eva Surany, is doing ad design for the production and Bob Terrano (coordinator of the college’s Entertainment Technology program) is the technical director. It will premiere on August 17 at The Studio at Cherry Lane Theatre. For tickets, additional times, and ticket information, check out the NYFringe schedule.

The Philly Fringe will be coming up September 4 - 19, so I'll post more on them later in the summer. If you haven't made it to a Fringe Festival yet, you owe it to yourself to start checking out these packed full schedules and planning a couple of visits.

Hudson County Annual Seeks Entries

Brennan Courthouse rotunda in Jersey City houses the Brennan Gallery

The Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development has issued a call for entries for their upcoming Hudson County Arts Annual 2009:

“METROPOLITAN MEMORIES”
9.29.09 – 11.06.09
Submission Deadline: August 3, 2009

The exhibit will be shown at the Brennan Gallery in the Justice Brennan Court House, 583 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306.
Curator: Mara Miller, Independent Curator and Director of 511 Gallery and 511 Projects, New York City and Lake Placid, N.Y.

METROPOLITAN MEMORIES seeks artwork (painting, drawings, prints, sculpture, fiber art and photo-based artwork) made by artists who live and work in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area, but who have relocated from other places (including within the boundaries of the two states), and whose art is rooted in memories of those previous sites. The curator is particularly interested in exposing work that carries within itself both a representation of the past – seen or “felt” by the artist – and reference to the effects of relocation. The exhibition aims to raise questions about migration and diaspora, from without or within the American nation. Download a full prospectus.

Eligibility: Artists must be over 18 years of age and live/work in the NJ/NY metropolitan area. Artwork in the following media may be submitted: drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture, fiber art, photo-based work. All work must have been completed in the last 3 years. READ THE PROSPECTUS FOR FULL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

Artists should be aware that individual artwork is not insured against theft or damage.
You must provide your own insurance policy against theft or damage if desired. The venue is, of course, a federal courthouse.

For questions, contact the curator: Mara Miller at marajaynh@aol.com or the HCOCHA/TD office by phone 201-459-2070 or email mlippman@hcnj.us or egaughan@hcnj.us

Great Opportunity for Regional Artists

Capital Health, scheduled to open a new 540,000-square-foot hospital on Scotch Road, Hopewell Township, NJ, seeks art from regional artists to help promote an environment of health and healing.

Capital Health seeks to identify a broad range of art reflective of the talent found in communities surrounding the new hospital. Art of all media will be installed throughout the hospital. The hospital will both purchase existing work and identify artists from whom site-specific work will be commissioned.

Artwork of all mediums and of any scale will be considered, including: mural work, sculpture, tapestry, glassware, stain-glass, ceramic, woodwork, photography, printmaking, multi-media, furniture, water features and painting.

Deadline for submission: August 15, 2009.

To be considered, three examples of the artist's work must be sent to Lin Swensson at lin@swensson-art.com. For each image please include a description of each work, its size, the material used and a price range.

Additionally, please include a biography or resume as well the following information: education, past commissioned works, shows or any professional awards or affiliations. Make sure to include artist contact information including: name, phone numbers, postal address and email address.

Questions may be directed to:

Lin Swensson, Lin Swensson and Associates, Inc. at 615.945.2895.

A Room of His Own

image by Ricardo Barros

Leon Rainbow, Trenton's own graffiti artist & entrepreneur, has come a long way since creating his early "back alley" spray mural on the back wall of Cafe Ole (So. Broad Street, Trenton, NJ), with the blessing of then-owner, Jamie Griswold. Today, he's still pursuing his dream: running arts fests; working with Albus Cavus, the artist group; volunteering with Trenton afterschool programs; and still doing his own work. At the Made in Trenton exhibition at Ellarslie, the Trenton City Museum (see earlier post), Leon's been given a room of his own and has created a 360 spray painted experience. Photographers Ricardo Barros and Andrew Wilkinson have both been documenting the process, but it's really someplace you need to see for yourself.

We're a Lucky People

cover illustration: Ben Kimberly Prins, July, 1953

Thinking Inside of the Box

Warwick Goble's Victorian illustration of Pandora releasing evils into the world

Personally, I'm with those of you artists who enjoy the challenge and creative kick-in-the-pants that a well-conceived theme show can generate. Sometimes just the process of thinking through what I would do in response to a particular exhibit theme is enough to get my work going.

The fantastic Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia (no -- it's not too far; besides, when's the last time you spent a day in the museums and burgeoning gallery scene down in Washington, DC?) has issued a Call for Entries for Pandora's Box. There's plenty of time to work on a piece: entries aren't due until October 5, 2009. Exhibition dates are December 10 – January 10, 2010.


The Pandora myth is pretty much the Garden of Eden story told Greek-style. Pandora, like Eve, was the first woman on earth, created by a God (Hephaestus, god of craftsmanship, in Pandora's case,) and she -- like Eve -- gets blamed for unleashing all the toils, troubles, backbreaking labor, and other heartbreaks on a previously edenic and 'innocent' world. Both of them were guilty only of two things: ignoring a Godly warning that didn't seem to make sense, and being "too curious."


Poor Pandora. When she was created by the gods, Zeus deliberately instructed that she should be given an enormous curiosity about things. He also arranged to have a massive, remarkable pithos (a storage jar that could house a human -- which later morphed to "box") sent to her -- with a warning never to open it. At least the Greeks admit that this was a deliberate set-up on the part of Zeus! At least, after all the cares and woes came out into the world, Hope remained in the pithos.


Pandora’s Box invites new works based on the theme of “Pandora’s Box” Artists are invited to submit their own interpretations of Pandora’s Box and how it relates to the times we are living in today. Work must be based in/on a container form with dimensions that can not exceed 12 inches in any direction. Work inside the container may stay within or explode/peek/ooze from the box, peek outside the box. These elements may exceed the 12” limits of the container, but must fit the gallery’s limitations (described in the full prospectus, on their site.)


[Note: this opportunity -- as well as the Pen & Brush show posted below -- comes via the interactive NY Foundation for the Arts site. They have a lot of wonderful resources for artists in many genre. Consider linking to them.]

Fine Craft and Folk Art Exhibiting Opportunity for Women Artists

Paula Nadelstern Quilt from a current American Folk Art Musuem exhibit

Joanne Donnelly shares this call for entries from The Pen & Brush artist group in NYC. Pen and Brush is a 115 year old international membership organization for women in the visual, literary and performing arts -- and for art-supportive members of the public. They host a number of exhibitions annually; you don’t need to be a member to enter this show. Curator will be Stacy Hollander, the American Folk Art Museum's senior curator and director of exhibitions.

Entries are being accepted for “Home is Where the Art Is,”a "Fine Craft and Folk Art Exhibition" and for the companion 2009 Fine Craft Boutique. The show is open to all women artists.

Entry Deadline: September 15, 2009

Exhibition Dates: October 29 – November 22, 2009

Accepted Media: decorative fiber, wearable fiber, mixed media, jewelry, glass, wood, metal, assemblage, enamel work, ceramics, sculpture.

Works will be displayed at the Pen & Brush Galleries at 16 East 10th Street, on Manhattan's lower east side. You can download a full prospectus and guidelines on their site. Questions? 212-475-3669 or info@penandbrush.org.

Ink This One In

poster image by Chris Stumpf, Timeless Tat2/poster design by Carolyn Dentz

INK., the Tattoo Artfest, takes place on Saturday, July 18th, 4 PM – midnight at ARTWORKS in Trenton. Beer, bands, bodyink, and bodacious art by tattoo artists, curated by Carolyn Dentz of DentzDesign. The art remains up through August 29. Gallery hours are Saturdays noon - 4 pm, and by appointment. ARTWORKS' number is 609-394-9436.

One Night Only: The Giants of Jazz

photo by m. stradling

From Wilbo Wright:

GIANTS OF JAZZ WED. JULY 1, MILL HILL (SALOON) BASEMENT!

BIG JAZZ ON LITTLE INSTRUMENTS, GET IT?

FEATURING: UNCLE "The Weather Up Here's Fine" HO - piccolo and curved soprano

WILL "Travelling Gulliver" CONSTANTINE - pocket trumpet

DOUG "Too Tall" MILLER - Schoenhut toy piano, miniature bakelite organ

JOHN "You People Look Like Ants" SHERIDAN - miniature Shredder guitar

WILBO "His Head In The Clouds" WRIGHT - cello as bass

CLAUDE "I Can See Your House From Here" COLEMAN - toy drums

PLUS GUEST APPEARANCES FROM OTHER MUSICAL GIANTS!

2 SETS starting at 8:30 PM, 5 measly bucks

This is a RARE gathering of this group, born years ago from an idea out of JOE Z's head, more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Please come out and forward this message to your friends who like music (they play on toys, but the jazz is great) and have a sense of humor. The Mill Hill Saloon is located at 300 S. Broad St. in Trenton, at the corner of Broad and Market. 609-394-7222

NOTE: This is part of Wilbo's on-going TAGNight in the Mill Hill Basement, taking place every first Wednesday of the month. This is the fourth TAGNight this year, and they've been terrific.