We Want To See...

"Stimulus Package"- works for under $500!!!! At ADA Gallery...

Daniel Davidson, "Mirror Drawings"

Naomie McCavitt

Still on view...

Morgan Herrin, "Untitled," 2009
(we heard it's already been purchased by Lance Armstrong- whoa!!)

We might have missed this, but wanted to post it anyway, because it looks awesome...

Sarah Trigg (check out her website)

ADA's going to be opening its new space soon... You can see more images from past shows and openings here and here.

Deadline for InLight wearable art/fashion and PSA videos EXTENDED

The deadline for wearable art/fashion entries for InLight 2009's "Regenerate" has been extended to August 10th.

Deadline for PSA announcements has also been extended. Get more information about both here.

Calls for Entries for InLight- Deadline Tomorrow!!

1708 would like to remind everyone that entries for "Regenerate" (wearable art and fashion show) and video entries for the InLight PSA are due tomorrow!!

Get more information here.

We Want To See...

Artspace's "Radius 250," on view until August 23rd.
See more images from the show here at Artspace's website.
Artspace also has a blog!

Erin M. Riley, "Mack," Handwoven Tapestry, 46" x 71"

(Riley was also in the most recent issue of New American Paintings)

Jessica Sims, "The Lion & the Lamb," Acrylic on Panel, 3'x4'

Erin Willett, "Pile of Dead Robots," Lythograph, 14" x 18 3/8"


Kate Ambrose, "Life on the Surface of the Pond," Oil on Canvas, 26" x 31"

Also at PlantZero, "A 72 submillimeter banana stuffed kauf drop," until Aug. 28th. More details about that show at RVA Magazine here.

"Sweet Summertime" and "Almost Famous" at Reynolds Gallery

Some pic's from "Almost Famous," upstairs at Reynolds Gallery...

Maria Pithara, "Untitled," video, dimensions variable, 2008

This hypnotic video portrays an attractive red-haired woman, who frantically brushes her hair while what seems to be a false belly inflates and deflates in minute spasms. The woman wears a neck brace, and she seems to squeak/inhale in time to the inflating of the belly in a sort of pseudo-lamaze. At times, the underlying rhythm of the video's action speeds up, implying an impending climax, but then it slows again, possibly in a reference to the mundane tribulations of existence. The video's background consists of a light-colored ground with flower patterns, and there is a leafy plant in the upper left foreground of the image.

From the artist's statement:
" I create make-shift props and use them to choreograph gestures into psychologically charged vignettes. Through these, I share with the viewer a world inside and outside of myself, partly constructed by me and partly revealed to me."

Julie Ann Nagle, "La Philosophe," shovel spade, oak, poplar, tennis ball, plastic barrel, steel, rubber belt, salt, water and sand, dimensions variable, 2009

Patrick Cadenhead, "Bolt," bolt, magnet, motor, pedestal, dimensions variable, 2009
(detail below)

This small bolt moves slowly all the way up the length of the pedestal's groove in one direction, and then it moves slowly back in the opposite direction. As it moves, there is a scratching noise, possibly from the motion of the magnet and the motor which drag the bolt along.

Jonathan Marshall, "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)," video, dimensions variable, 2009

Other artists featured in "Almost Famous" include: Seth Alverson, Ryan Gothrup, Keith Mendak, and Toshiyuki Tanaka.

Reynolds also has some great images online from "Sweet Summertime," but this show needs to be appreciated in person. Gerald Donato's painting is an entirely different experience in the gallery than what is implied by the online image, and the surfaces of Jiha Moon's and Heide Trepanier's paintings absolutely must be observed in person for their subtle complexities.

Jack Wax's actual "Origin of the Word" is also very different from its online counterpart in that from a distance, it appears to be a drawing on a gray ground. As the viewer moves closer to the the piece, its dimensionality is revealed.

Both shows will be on view until August 15th.

GCCR Gallery Hosts Emerging Artists Show, Opening Friday with Reception

Untitled by Eric Russell

The Gallery at the Gay Community Center of Richmond hosts a show by emerging artists this Friday, July 31st with an opening from 6-8pm.
The show will run through September 6th.

The GCCR Gallery is located at 1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220.

Visit their website at www.gayrichmond.com.

Deadline for Arlington Arts Center 2010 Solo Exhibitions

From the AAC website:

CALL FOR ENTRIES: 2010 SOLOS
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 1, 2009
NOTIFICATION DATE: Sept. 30, 2009

WHAT ARE THE SOLOS?

Each year, TEN to FOURTEEN ARTISTS from across the Mid-
Atlantic region are selected for solo exhibitions to take place
in one of AAC’s seven separate gallery spaces, or outside on
the grounds. Proposals that specifically take into account
AAC’s space, layout, and surrounding environs are
encouraged. Floor plans are available on our website.

WHO CAN SUBMIT?

Artists who produce cutting edge contemporary art in any/all
media, and who live or work in Virginia; Washington, DC;
Maryland; West Virginia; Delaware; or Pennsylvania may
submit exhibition proposals. Any existing works must have
been completed within the last 3 years in order to be considered.

HOW DO WE CHOOSE?

Submissions will be reviewed by the curators, artists, and other
arts professionals who make up the AAC Exhibitions
Committee. This process will be led by our two special guest
panelists:
Anne Surak, Director of the contemporary Washington, D.C.
art gallery, PROJECT 4
Henry L. Thaggert, notable D.C. art collector and curator

Get more info. at AAC's website!

Get ready for InLight 2009: Make a Lantern with 1708!

Scott Kyle, "InLight Walk," 2008

From 1708's website:

Events

1708 Gallery is pleased to present a series of Lantern Making workshops in preparation for the community lantern parade which will kick-off InLight Richmond on Friday, September 25, 2009. Make your own lantern in one of these exciting exclusive workshops or join us on September 4th for a First Friday lantern making event free and open to the public.

The workshops will be held during the last 2 weeks of August at 1708 Gallery. Taught by four diverse Richmond artists - Sarah Hand, Matt Lively, Noah Scalin and Paul Teeples - the workshops will feature four unique lantern making methods. No special skills or previous art experience are needed, just a willingness to explore the creative opportunities in our everyday world.

Sign up soon, we expect the classes to fill up quickly! Register online or call 1708 Gallery at 804-643-1708.

1708 Gallery gratefully thanks the MeadeWestvaco Foundation and Plaza Artist Materials for their support of InLight Richmond and the Lantern Project.

RECYLCLED LIGHT
NOAH SCALIN

Section 1

Ages: Teen – adult
Date: Sunday, August 23
Time: 3 – 5pm
Cost: $25
Light snacks & drinks provided.

Section 2

Ages: Teen – adult
Date: Wednesday, August 26
Time: 6 -8pm
Cost: $25
Light snacks & drinks provided.

Materials: Participants are asked to bring in a bag of clean/dry items to share (one large grocery bag is sufficient, but more is welcome). These should be things that you were already planning to throw away or recycle: tin cans, plastic soda bottles, magazines, newspapers, cardboard boxes & tubes, plastic/Styrofoam packaging, etc.

Using a variety of materials that would normally end up in a landfill or the recycling bin, participants will create one-of-a-kind lanterns that reflect their own personality and taste. Using my Skull-A-Day project as a starting point, we will look at the variety of techniques that can be used to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make a skull lantern, though you are welcome to do so of course.

Noah is the creator of Skull-A-Day: a yearlong Webby Award winning online art project that has continued on as an international online community art-making project and a book, SKULLS, which was honored as a "Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers" by the Young Adult Library Services Association. He teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University.

PUNCH-TIN LANTERN
PAUL TEEPLES

Ages: Teen - adult
Date: Thursday, August 27
Time: 6:30 – 9:30
Cost: $25
Light snacks & drinks provided.
Some tools and materials provided, but feel free to begin collecting cans & parts for your lantern!

Lantern making techniques will be based on Colonial Era Pinch-tin lanterns, but the results are sure to be unique and contemporary!

Paul Teeples is a local artist who creates elaborate sculptures with found wood and metal. His work is both witty and serious, a fascinating combination.

GLIMMERING ORB LANTERN
SARAH HAND

Ages: 7 – 12
Date: Saturday, August 29
Time: 3pm – 5pm
Cost: $25
Materials provided.
Light snacks & drinks provided.

Create a shimmering, glimmering orb lantern, woven from translucent plastic and vinyl tubes, finished off with brightly colored transparent dangling tassels that will catch the light!

Sarah Hand is an artist and teacher who lives and works in Richmond. She has taught children's art classes at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond for six years and is known for her popular puppet making and giant parade puppets classes.

PAPER HOUSE LANTERNS
MATT LIVELY

Section 1:

Ages: 8 and up
Time: 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Date: Sunday, August 30
Cost: $25
Materials provided.
Light snacks & drinks provided.

Section 2:

Ages: College student - Adult
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Date: Monday, August 31
Cost: $25
Materials provided.
Light snacks & drinks provided.

Learn to make a “placeable” light and discover the art of paper craft in this workshop. Create numerous, small paper houses - some to take home and some to place in an art installation during InLight.

Matt Lively is a painter, sculptor, and printmaker based in Richmond, and he is currently in the process of making a short film. He teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Jeffrey Vincent's "The Tillinghast Family Portraits" at Ghostprint Gallery

Jeffrey Vincent's drawings need to be viewed in person in order to appreciate the multitude and variety of the artist's marks. Each drawing in the Tillinghast family series provides a piece of an undoubtedly haunting history. Paintings and mixed media "dolls" also add to what Ghostprint's website terms as the "perverse charm" of this show, but the drawings are the real revelations here.

There are more images from this show at Ghostprint's website...

"The Natives," acrylic on canvas, 36" x 60"

"Helen Tillinghast," charcoal and pencil on paper, 36" x 24"

"Dolls," varying sizes and media (above and below)

"The Tillinghast Family Portraits" will be on view at Ghostprint Gallery until August 1, 2009.

Link-a-rrific Monday (in case you didn't know)

Machester judges nix plans for public art.

VCU goes back to the drawing board in plans for new student gallery.
(We think the Belvidere and Broad location makes more sense anyway.)

SaveRichmond has an idea about why VCU's plans may have been stymied.

VMFA acquires rare German art.

Sondheim prize finalists/winners have been announced.

Writer/critic Kriston Capps and artist Cara Ober discuss the Sondheim prize results.

Grammar.police on DC gallery closing.

What is this?

And for some elsewhere-flavor... Edward Winkleman on "Made In God's Image." (Or "The Gospel According to Luke Skywalker")

[work] at VisArts Center

These are just a few pic's from the annual show of VisArts faculty, staff, and board:

Geoff Smith, "The Thesian Declarative," hand cut paper

detail from "The Thesian Declarative"

Maxwell O. Perry, "Toddler," video (approximately 3 minutes)

Amie Oliver, "Angels and Infidels XXXIV," mixed media on rag paper mounted on MDF

Nick Pollok, "Double Crossed Duck," carved and painted wood

Karen Miller, "Brighter Shade of Blue," mixed media with quilling


And could these be potential contributors to the Richmond art book?

Shelly Bechtel Shepherd, "In Strawberry Street Park," watercolor

David Tanner, "Sheppard Street Alley," oil on canvas

[work] will be on view until August 23rd, with a closing reception held August 21st from 6-8pm.
Read more at VisArts website.

Sumi Ink Club/Shawn Reed + Night People at Thankyspace

We must have just missed open hours when we stopped by Thankyspace the other day. Took a picture of the space, though, and then peered (creepily??) into the darkened windows. The drawings we could see looked intricate- there are images on their website.

Hope to check it out soon!

Listen to "Arts in Richmond: Culture at the Crossroads"

Hear the recording of the second "Evening at Morton's" conversation here.

"After Life" and "Small Story" at Quirk

Noah Scalin's "After Life"- installation shot

Upon visiting Quirk to check out Noah Scalin's "After Life", the sheer number of skulls in the space is immediately impressive.

A skull drawn on the surface of a deflated balloon was unexpected, both for the surface chosen and for the detail apparent in the drawing.



Another skull painted in gold (or in gold leaf or foil?) stood out for the subtle rendering of the image and for the delicate mottling of the material when it was viewed from different angles. There is a lot to see in this show- it was difficult to select only a few pieces to post. Check out Scalin's blog to see more skulls by him and by others!



"Small Story" by Nicoté in the front of the gallery is charming! This drawing installation created by an artist couple utilizes stickers and contour lines that stretch across paper and wall to create a potentially narrative image, spanning from the beach to the desert.



The simplicity and spontaneity of this expanded drawing were pleasant surprises.


Check out "After Life" at Quirk until August 22nd. "Small Story" will be on view until July 25th.

VCU Professor announced as Trawick Prize Finalist

Ruth Bolduan

Congratulations to Ruth Bolduan, VCU Painting and Printmaking Professor on her selection as a finalist for the 2009 Trawick Prize!

Read more about this year's Trawick Prize here. The Trawick Prize is a yearly award in the visual arts open to artists in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C., sponsored by the Bethesda Arts and Entertainment District.

Here is more information about the exhibition for finalist's work (from the Trawick Prize website):

2009 marks the 7th anniversary of The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards. The work of eight finlaists will be featured in this annual exhibition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District. The exhibition will run September 2 - October 3, 2009 at the Fraser Gallery, located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E. The Fraser Gallery is just three blocks from the Bethesda Metro station and a short walk from the public parking garage located at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road.

There will be a public reception for Trawick Prize winners on Friday, September 11, 2009 from 6-9pm held in conjunction with the Bethesda Art Walk.

Gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11:30am-6pm.
www.thefrasergallery.com

Idea for Arts Council of Richmond/CultureWorks

While we eagerly await an update on what the new-ish team behind the Arts Council of Richmond/CultureWorks has been up to, we had a thought...

Why not produce a Richmond art book?

Richmond is crawling with artists, and what would be a better way to showcase local talent than to put out a call for entries for a Richmond-as-subject art book? The deadline for entries could be in about the next 3 months or so in order to give artists who were interested time to get their entries together or even to create new works specifically for the book. Artists would not have to be from or living in Richmond, as long as their work depicted Richmond: the possibilities for this could be endless- photography, prints, drawings, paintings, digital collages of all things Richmond. From the back alleys of the Fan to the battlefields of Petersburg, surely artists could find a scene to sink their teeth into!

Grab some graphic design and painting/drawing professors from VCU to jury the entries, tap none-other-than local history/arts guru Harry Kollatz Jr or Edwin Slipek Jr. to write the forward and voilà: Richmond culture and fundraiser all wrapped up in one neat little package.

Since CultureWorks director John Bryan has had success in the past with creating a book-for-profit/nonprofit, this could be a project to put the re-worked organization on the map.

Sure, there would be a lot of specifics to hash out, but we think it could be done, and we'd love to show our support for our city by purchasing the final product!

We Want To See...

Jiha Moon, in Reynolds Gallery's "Sweet Summertime," showing until August 15, 2009.

Jiha Moon, West Wind, ink and acrylic on Hanji paper over canvas, 10" x 10," 2009

Check out Moon's website. She has shown in multiple venues, including Irvine Contemporary and Curator's Office, both in DC.

Also at Reynolds until August- "Almost Famous," work by recent MFA students.

Opening this Friday for A 72 Submillimeter Banana Stuffed Kauf Drop at Project Space, Plant Zero

Dana Frostick

From RVA Magazine:

An exhibit of visionary, macabre, and surreal artwork featuring Dana Frostick, Nutchild, Roman Zelgatas, Ken Jorgensen and Nic DeSantis, Courtney Ford, and Jean-Baptiste.

Project Space, Plant Zero Art Center, Zero East 4th St., Richmond, VA 23224
July 3-August 28, 2009
Opening reception 7-9pm, July 24
Closing reception, 7-9pm, August 28

InLight Richmond 2009, September 25- 27

Peter Culley, Light House_1_Jackson Ward , 2008

From 1708's website:

Organized by 1708 Gallery, InLight Richmond is the second annual exhibition of contemporary public art inspired by light. Downtown Richmond will be transformed by light inspired art installations presented in public spaces including sidewalks, walls, storefronts and buildings. The work will be selected by guest juror Adelina Vlas, Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the exhibition will be opening the weekend of September 25-27, 2009 all over downtown Richmond.

This year's InLight promises to be even bigger than last year's- start making your plans to attend now!

Read more about InLight here, and see some amazing images from InLight 2008 here.

1708 also has an InLight blog with news updates and opportunities for those of us who are local to help out with the event.

12th Annual Theresa Pollak Prizes for Excellence in the Arts

Richmond magazine invites you to celebrate the artists whose words,
fine art, music, choreography, acting, directing, film and photography
enrich the cultural life of our regions.

Since 1998, readers have been asked to nominate artists to the panel of selectors,
made up of former honorees and arts leaders, who then choose the honorees for
recognition with the Pollak Prize for Excellence in the Arts at our awards ceremony in October.

Click here to nominate an arts innovator.

Nominations must be received by August 2, 2009.

Art6 Gallery Hosts Breast Cancer Benefit

(Reposted from All Things Richmond)

From Christina Newton, Director of Curated Culture:

Dear Friends,

I hope you'll join me on Saturday, August 1st for a special evening. It would actually mean the world to me. In an effort to help two amazing women with their battle with breast cancer, I'm organizing a fundraiser on their behalf and I really hope you can make it. I've known Theodora Anne Merry and Marian Hollowell for years, and admire them tremendously, as well as their art and their work in the community. These women have made an indelible impact on Richmond, not only as visual and performing artists, but through their efforts to create and sustain our creative community. From Theodora's leadership ofNeighborhood School of the Arts to helping to create the InLight Richmond project, to Marian's work in founding Urban Artists Underground, Artspace and art6 galleries, I'd be surprised if you haven't reaped the benefits of their love and labor at some point.

But with no insurance - as many of us in the arts and cultural community suffer - and increasing bills, they can now use our help more than ever in dealing with mounting bills and the inability to work during this time. All you have to do to help is grab a 10 spot and fix a favorite dish!

Festivities will take place Saturday, August 1, 2009 at art6 Gallery and feature live music by Rattlemouth, whose grooves will get everyone to the dance floor! We'll also have poetry readings of Theodora's and Marian's works, a delicious potluck, and a cash bar.

Christina

*Please put name of dish and list of ingredients on your potluck dish.

Tits Up! Breast Cancer Benefit

for Theodora Anne Merry & Marian Hollowell
Saturday, August 1, 2009
6:30pm - doors open and potluck begins
7:30pm-9:30pm - Rattlemouth performs
art6 Gallery
6 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Suggested minimum donation $10, although we'll be excited to accept more.
Donations can also be made in honor of a specific lovely lady if you wish.

Our sincerest thanks to our event sponsors: art6 Gallery and Rattlemouth
http://www.art6.org/
http://www.myspace.com/rattlemouth

VCU Alumni featured in WPA's "OPTIONS 2009"

Jenny Mullins, American Reincarnation Machine, 2009

The Washington Project for the Arts (WPA) curates a biennial show of emerging, unrepresented talent in the visual arts. Several recent VCU alumni will be featured in 2009's installment of "OPTIONS."

Visit the WPA's website to learn more about the organization and read the detailed press release for OPTIONS 2009.

Congratulations to VCU alumni Leah Beeferman, Younseal Eum, and Andy Holtin for their selections by curator Anne Collins Goodyear.

An opening reception is planned for Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 6-8pm at 1358 Florida Avenue NE, on the second floor (Conner Contemporary). The exhibition will be on view until October 31, 2009.

Lots-o-Links Monday

RVA Magazine interviews local artist Meena Khalili- she's also got a blog.

Save Richmond writes more on what's wrong with arts in the city.

Lenny Campello's posted several opportunities for artists in the last 48 hours.

1708's current calls for wearable art and video PSA's, in conjunction with InLight Richmond.

1212 Gallery has also recently listed quite a few calls for entries.

We're still waiting to learn the location of a new addition to Richmond's gallery scene, as reported by Blaaahg.

Richmond Culture War Continues...

Recently, Amanda Robinson of Gallery 5 has publicly continued the battle cry against some of the city's anti-culture practices. She calls for community response and input here.

If you'd like to catch up on the backstory, you can check out Buttermilk and Molasses's coverage here. Robinson apologizes for her passionate words here, and this well-written (albeit from May of this year) entry from Save Richmond provides more examples of problems in the city's machinations.

And in reference to the Save Richmond article, how long has the Arts Council of Richmond's website been "under construction"?

The Bridge Club at 1708 Gallery

From The Bridge Club's Blog:

"The Observation Room by The Bridge Club
1708 Gallery, Richmond, VA

The Observation Room, an installation, performance, and video work by The Bridge Club collaborative will be on view at 1708 Gallery in Richmond, VA from July 17- August 15, 2009.

The Observation Room incorporates a Victorian notion of identity—that our identities can be contained by our possessions and surroundings, and that our stories can be told by what we leave behind. The multipart exhibit features four related components: 1., a gallery exhibit invoking the carefully arranged display of a history museum; 2., a built environment containing a series of domestic spatial vignettes, inviting from the viewer the construction of narrative facilitated by any historical display; 3., a one-night performance, calling to mind the fictitious historical reenactment seen at Colonial Williamsburg or any ‘living history’ museum; and 4., a video depicting the physical use of historic objects and preserving a record of their function in familiar documentary fashion.

Using simultaneously the conventions of contemporary art—clean white walls, oversized video projection, and temporal, live performance—as well as the conventions of historic preservation, The Observation Room challenges and conflates our ideas about the collection and preservation of art and objects, and points to the viewer’s complicity in designations of value and construction of narrative.

Come by if you're in Richmond, or watch for images to be posted here following the exhibit opening."


Check out their blog- there are beautiful images posted from past performances/pieces. We are disappointed to have to be out of town, missing what will surely be a memorable evening this Friday at 1708.

Real Small Art League!!!

Read about the Real Small Art League here.

News of a "tiny art heist" is disturbing, to say the least.

“Arts in Richmond: Culture at the Crossroads”

The second in a series of Richmond cultural conversations will be held at Morton's The Steakhouse, July 21st at 6pm. The event will be live-blogged.

Read more about who is participating and about details of this event here.

Local Exhibitions

Style Weekly just posted a listing of current exhibitions here.

Here We Go!

RVA Artblog is established in the hopes of providing a more comprehensive location for topics relevant to people interested in learning about what's happening in Richmond, Virginia's visual arts scene.

We have no affiliation with any Richmond publications or galleries.

Please bear with us as we get rolling!