As the writers of ArtSake prepare to go on vacation, we want to leave you with a few past MCC Artist Fellows and Finalists’ work to ponder. See you in 2010.
Images from top to bottom:
Ri Anderson FY07 Photography Finalist
Christopher Frost FY09 Sculpture/Installation Fellow
Janet Echelman FY09 Sculpture/Installation Fellow
The Studio Museum in Harlem is now accepting applications for their artist in residence program. They are offering a 12 month studio residency for three emerging artists. Each artist is granted a free non-living studio space, a $20,000 fellowship, and a $1,000 material stipend. The program is designed to serve emerging artists of African descent locally, nationally and internationally.
Call to artists: ALCHEMY: Art and Science Call to Artists at the Schiltkamp Gallery, Traina Center for the Arts, Clark University. This show will explore the intersections of art and science; art that is inspired by science or scientific images/models that are transcendent. The concept of “science” is open and may include new technology as well as the traditional sciences. Application Instructions: 10-20 images in slides or as jpegs on a CD (no power point or slide shows). List of art work or other materials submitted, including titles, date, media, dimensions. C.V. or bio and a brief (one or two paragraphs) statement about the work submitted. For more information contact Eli Crocker at 508-793-8818 or ecrocker@clarku.edu
Deadline: Submissions due January 18, 2010
Nave Gallery Call to artists: The Beast In Me—Johnny Cash: Art Influenced by the Struggle of a Man. The Nave Gallery is seeking artwork, literal or interpretive, which speaks to the spirit of Johnny Cash. All media are welcome, including video and installation. For more information email info@navegallery.org
Deadline: February 1, 2010
Image credit: Photograph of Royal Rooter beating a drum, 1903 World Series. Photographer unidentified. Fan on the the visitors dugout provides percussion for the Boston American fans in game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Boston Public Library McGreevey Collection. Accession No.: 06_06_000012
Among the recent grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts were Literature Fellowships for five Massachusetts writers! Not that we’re counting, but that’s upwards of 11.9%, or a tad under 1/8 of the total number of awardees (5 of 42, if anybody wants to check my math).
With bloggery prescience, ArtSake has featured a number of the winning writers in its virtual pages: short story writer Anne Sanow, nonfiction writer and Harvard Review editor Christina Thompson, and 2008 Fiction/Creative Nonfiction Fellow Joan Wickersham. Congratulations, too, to writers Douglas Bauer, of Boston, and Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, of Jamaica Plain, who joined Anne, Christina, and Joan in receiving the prestigious $25,000 awards for literary excellence.
While we’re talking about overlaps in the Venn diagram of the NEA, MCC, and individual artists:
Read the full list of Massachusetts grants from the NEA. Also, read the current news of past fellows/finalists from MCC’s Artist Fellowships Program in our Fellows Notes.
Images: cover art from paperback edition of THE SUICIDE INDEX by Joan Wickersham (Mariner Books 2009); cover art for TRIPLE TIME by Anne Sanow (University of Pittsburgh Press 2009).
When we asked Williamstown Film Festival director Steve Lawson about ties to Massachusetts artists for this year’s festival, he mentioned that one of the films in the “All-Shorts” series was by emerging Boston-area filmmaker Charlie Anderson.
Charlie traveled to Williamstown to participate in the festival, and here, he shares his unique film-arts-in-the-Berkshires experience, illustrating by example how to make the most of a gathering of engaged and inventive film artists.
(Re-posted with permission by the artist from Focus, an alumni blog of the Boston University’s Film/TV Department.)
One of my short films, Werewolf Trouble, has had a fortunate run at a dozen film festivals and I’ve been able to attend most of them. I knew the Williamstown Film Festival was different the moment I received my acceptance. Having grown accustomed to carbon copied e-mails, I was mildly shocked when the good news came in the form of a phone call from Executive Director Steve Lawson. When Steve also offered me lodging, I thought he had momentarily confused me with one of WFF’s celebrity guests, like James Ivory or Barry Levinson.
The fun started with a resplendent autumn drive along the Mohawk Trail as I headed west through the Berkshires from Boston. I arrived in Williamstown to find my room waiting and food served at a cocktail party before a screening of La Nave De Los Monstrous (The Ship of Monsters), a campy sci-fi feature accompanied by a live original score by the string quartet, Ethel. The after-party was held in the lobby of MASS MoCA where I enjoyed a conversation with one of Ethel’s violinists, Mary Rowell. As the party advanced on the wee hours, I wondered if anyone would wake up in time for my screening at 10:00 the next morning.
But the “All-Shorts” session at Images Cinema was packed. Before the movies started I had a pleasant conversation with Tom Fontana, writer/producer of Oz and Homicide, and member of WFF’s board of directors. An eclectic selection of ten movies was shown and the audience ranked their favorites. I crossed my fingers in hopes that Werewolf Trouble would not be screened immediately after Bill Plympton’s weird and hilarious Hot Dog. I’ve been a fan of Plympton’s since his first animated short, Your Face (1988 Oscar contender). WFF surprised me again when I found myself sitting next to Plympton during the Q&A after our screening. Bill was well-spoken and genuine, and he stood in Images’ lobby personalizing drawings of his hero dog for anyone who waited in line.
Director James Ivory (The Remains of the Day, Howards End) was the honored guest at a lunch seminar that afternoon. I won’t forget one of his stories: during a break from filming Mr. and Mrs. Bridge, James took a drive with Paul Newman as an evening snow dusted the streets. Fatigued from the shoot, Ivory fell asleep in the passenger seat during a lull in the conversation about Newman’s character. The star continued cruising and thinking as his director dozed. Eventually James woke to the sound of Newman singing. For a fleeting moment he felt like he was in his own movie – as though he were young Douglas Bridge and Newman his father. We spend so much energy as filmmakers trying to turn dreams into reality that unique anecdotes like this really stand out, when reality becomes the dream and those enigmatic creative forces we are always playing with gently push back like childhood friends.
I met Bill Plympton again at a cocktail party hosted by Bill Wagner, president of Williams College. Delighted to raise a glass with an artist I admire, I mentioned that I’m also a film instructor at Boston University and asked Plympton what advice he would offer students to inspire creativity. “Look at real life,” he said. “That’s where the interesting stuff is happening.” I couldn’t agree more. Joining the conversation was Alycia Delmore, star of Lynn Shelton’s new feature, Humpday. Alycia’s advice was to first imagine something that would never happen in this world, then imagine the world in which it would happen. I’m also fond of Alycia’s comment because so many effects-happy movies get this backwards – or even worse, just skip the first part entirely.
Alycia and I attended the screening of Barry Levinson’s new “film essay,” Poliwood, at The Clark. Levinson (Rain Man, The Natural) answered questions about his treatise on the influence of celebrity culture and television on politics, and accepted an award from WFF: a hand-painted still from the 1998 feature, What Dreams May Come, by celebrated artist Stephen Hannock (also a member of WFF’s board of directors). Delicious Halloween desserts were then served in the Clark Courtyard. The next morning I met Alycia for coffee and we attended a screening of her movie, Humpday. That was another unique experience – sitting in the theater next to an actress I had just met while watching her movie. I was impressed by Alycia’s command of the screen and her insightful comments during the Q&A. Look for Humpday if you like provocative comedies. It’s very well done.
I was a little glum leaving Images Cinema for the last time that weekend – sad to leave off new friendships for the time being and to depart Williamstown after such a wonderful weekend. Then Steve Lawson did it again: he offered to treat the remaining filmmakers to lunch. Was he also feeling a bit heavyhearted to see the lights come up on WFF’s eleventh season? I think so. And I’m sure most will agree that kind of commitment to any endeavor is a rare joy to behold. If you made it this far, I hope you will consider getting involved with the Williamstown Film Festival. There simply aren’t enough quality venues where emerging filmmakers can showcase their work and established artists can bring their passion projects. Even less common are events that hold their audiences and lesser-known guests in the same regard as their superstars. Submit your movie if you have one, make a donation if you are able, or plan on attending next season.
-Charlie Anderson
Images: Williamstown Film Festival photos: © 2009 ROMAN IWASIWKA. Photos top to bottom: Charlie Anderson at the Q&A session.; L to R: Jesse Bernstein, Bill Plympton & Charlie Anderson during Q & A; Bill Plympton, Steve Lawson, Jesse Bernstein, Charlie Anderson; Charlie Anderson, Alycia Delmore at The Clark Art Museum.
You can see more photographs by Roman Iwasiwka at the Cultural Icons exhibition at Brill Gallery in North Adams, MA. The show, a dual exhibition with Sedat Pakay, features Roman’s portraits of such icons as Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, and runs through January 2010.
If you’re an artist who lives or works in Somerville, Massachusetts, you know by experience that it’s an arts-infused place: reverberant with musicians, splattered with painters, and bestrewn with, well, artists who make art that can be strewn – maybe quilters? Anyway, there’s every reason to believe that in the future, the Seven Hills will continue to emanate the atomic glow of art-being-made.
In the near term, Union Square in Somerville is expected to see growth due to a proposed extension of the MBTA’s Green Line, and the Somerville Arts Council has worked with the city to create zoning that complements that growth while encouraging the arts.
The new zoning code provides incentives for arts development, including the designation of a Union Square Arts Overlay District and Transit Oriented Districts to bring about more arts-related use of new and existing spaces.
You can read more about it in an easy-to-read guide to the changes put together by the Somerville Arts Council.
So, that might portend some trends in Somerville’s near future. But what about 2020? 2050? 2099? Tim Devin’s The history of Somerville, 2010-2100 is a community arts project that dares to ask what the future holds for the ‘ville. Tim is gathering predictions from past and current residents, as well as official plans. He plans to use his research to create timelines and assemble a series of talks. He’s posted a few of the predictions he’s already received on his site, including this one:
2080: By now, Somerville is densely populated, as Boston and Cambridge are flooded. Residents farm and tend gardens.
Source: Jennifer Mazer
Until December 31, 2009, you can contribute your own predictions about the future of Somerville.
Images: Bill Ritchotte, FUTUREVILLE, suggesting the future Squares of Somerville; Logo for the HISTORY OF SOMERVILLE, 2010-2100 project organized by Tim Devin.
Free Workshop Tonight: Kevin Sprague, photographer and Studio Two owner, will be at the Ferrin Gallery tonight at 6:30 p.m. for a discussion on branding and target markets. Ferrin Gallery, 437 North Street, Pittsfield, MA. Pre-registration required. For more information, and/or to register, please contact MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center Program Coordinator, Jessica Conzo, at 413-663-5253 or Jessica.Conzo@mcla.edu.
Call for Exhibition Proposals: Lake George Arts Project invites emerging and professional artists to submit exhibition proposals for the Courthouse Gallery 2011 exhibition schedule. Go here for submission guidelines or call 518-668-2616 for more information.
Deadline: January 2010
COLLISIONcollective, a group premised on the sometimes abrupt intersection between art and technology, is currently accepting submissions for the next show, COLLISION XV. The 15th COLLISION show will be held in partnership with the Axiom Center for New and Experimental Media in Jamaica Plain starting February 19, 2010. There is no pre-defined theme; rather, a theme will develop in response to the work accepted for the show, and will be announced after the judging phase. COLLISIONcollective is soliciting work from group members and their associates, but is also extending an open call for work from other artists with a shared vision. For more information, check the group’s submissions page.
The Provincetown Community Compact is offering 1-3 week dune shack residencies for visual artists, writers, and the public in the Cape Cod National Seashore. There is one $500 fellowship for visual artists and two one-week funded writers’ residencies. No fee to apply. Deadline, February 15, 2010.
The Aesthetica Short Film Competition has released a call for short filmmakers. All genres of film are being accepted. This award offers winners and runners-up screenings at The National Media Museum (Bradford), Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival (London), Glasgow Film Festival, and on the Aesthetica website.
£500 first prize, £250 runner-up. Go here for detailed guidelines and application.
Image credit: Photograph by Alan Lomax, folklorist and ethnomusicologist. REPOSITORY: Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. DIGITAL ID: (original) ppmsc 00650 hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsc.00650. CARD #: lmx1999000377/PP.
Applications are now available for Artist Fellowships in Choreography, Fiction/Creative Nonfiction, and Poetry from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Deadline: January 25, 2010.
The fellowships are unrestricted, anonymously judged, competitive grants in recognition of artistic excellence, for Massachusetts artists.
Read full program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application instructions.
Images: Cover art from books by recent fellows Tracy Winn (Fiction/Creative Nonfiction Fellow ’08), Patrick Donnelly (Poetry Fellow ’08), and Xujun Eberlein (Fiction/Creative Nonfiction Fellow ’08); Alisia Waller (Choreography Fellow ’08); and Ariel Cohen and Kellie Ann Lynch (Choreography Fellows ’08).
Too smart. Too cute. Loaded with attitude. And don’t ask me to give you my paw. The answer is no.
Artist Jane Lund has put together a show of paintings, photography, and sculpture called Animals in Art: An Invitational Exhibition at the Northampton Center for the Arts. The show’s intention is to celebrate our furry (and not so furry) animal friends.
If my dog Lady chose to read this blog, she would insist that an unlimited supply of food treats and praise be provided to all the animals depicted in the show.
Apparently there are more than fifty artists in the show including Pam Barlett, Rachel Folsom, Stephanie Gerilamatos, Amy Johnquest, Robert Markey, Ali Osborn, Betsy Stone, Gregory Thorp, Tom Ulrich, and Frank Ward (and one of our past Sculpture/Installation Fellows, Ariel Kotker, contributed a lambscape). The exhibition runs from December 10 through December 31, 2009. The opening reception will take place this coming Friday, December 11th from 5-8pm and will include a performance by West County Jazz.
Northampton Center for the Arts
17 New South Street, Northampton, MA
Hours: Tues-Fri, 11am-4pm
Closed on Christmas, but open on New Year’s Eve until midnight.
Image credit: Ellen Wineberg (MCC ’04 Painting Finalist), “Attitude,” oil stick painting on canvas.”
Of Interest to Public Artists: NEFA‘s next brown-bag lunch topic for artists is called An Insider’s View on Image Submissions. This session will focus on preparing images of your work for public art submissions. Art and architectural photographer Charles Mayer will share tips and suggestions on how to get the best photographs of your work. December 10, 2009 from 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. at The Cellar, located at 319 A Street (in the Fort Point Channel neighborhood of Boston). Space is limited. RSVP to ljohnston@nefa.org
Photographers: Smithsonian magazine’s seventh annual photo contest. Contestants may enter photographs in five categories: The Natural World, Americana, Altered Images, Travel, and People.
Deadline: December 16, 2009
Hamptons International Film Festival – Screenwriters’ Lab. The Hamptons Writers’ Lab pairs established writers with up-and-coming screenwriters. The mentors advise in a one-on-one laboratory setting while additional daily events bring the participants together with board members, sponsors, the local artistic community, and other friends of the festival. They are seeking a broad selection of screenplays addressing a wide subject matter including works that explore science, technology, mathematics, invention, and engineering. Fore more, contact the Hamptons International Film Festival – Screenwriters’ Lab, 3 Newtown Mews, East Hampton, NY 11937, (631) 324-4600, programming@hamptonsfilmfest.org
Deadlines: December 23, 2009 (regular); January 8, 2010 (late)
Call to Cambridge area artists to exhibit in the CAC Gallery
Cambridge Open Studios Preview Salon Exhibition. For more information contact Jeremy Gaucher, Public Art Administrator, at jgaucher@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4388.
Deadline: Registration due December 31, 2009
Image credit: http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/htmls/anta0050.htm
Photograph of An Antarctic fur seal pup and a Gentoo penguin. Image ID: anta0050, NOAA At The Ends of the Earth Collection. Location: Antarctic Peninsula. Photographer: Dr. David Demer, NOAA/NMFS/SWFSC/AMLR. From NOAA Photo Library.
Boston-based music artist Matt Pendergast passed along the above video, called The Creative Process, noting that it has something in common with ArtSake: an interest not just in new art but in the exciting and unpredictable process of making it. To which we say, “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.”
Matt explains his project: “Our concept was to use video to document each step towards achieving our creative goal: Record and mix a song all in one day.”
The video encapsulates that one day, offering a tour of the invigorating process of making new art. A group of like-minded Massachusetts music artists – Matt, Emily Goldstein, Eliot Hunt, Andrew Jones, Alex Prieto, Adam Samuels, and Jeff Yurek – came together to collaborate on the intense, one-day project. The artists further explain their impetus on the project’s Facebook page:
For many musicians in the industry, “working” does not always mean “creating” freely. As a group working on this project, we wanted to give ourselves complete creative license – away from the restrictions of scenes and industry.
Stay tuned, because according to Matt, other similar projects, possibly including other media, are to come. You can follow the project on Facebook.
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