Arts Education and National Service Funding Alert

Sorry I'm a couple of days behind this one but I still think there is time if you email today.

From Americans for the Arts:

July 24, 2009

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education funding bill, which sets the appropriation level for both the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and Arts in Education programs (AIE) at the U.S. Department of Education. The Senate Appropriations Committee is preparing to take up this funding legislation within the next week, and Americans for the Arts needs your help to urge your Senators to fully fund these important programs. Please take two minutes to write your Senators in support of this funding today!

Background:

Within the jurisdiction of this funding bill fall several key cultural programs. AIE is set to receive a $2 million boost over last year's funding level to total $40 million. This still falls short of the $53 million requested by advocates on Arts Advocacy Day this year. These programs fund grants for arts education professional development and model dissemination programs, as well as arts education programs at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and VSAarts.

In addition to arts education, this legislation has recommended $1.059 billion in FY 2010 for CNCS. While this figure is a $169 million increase set to implement the new Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the allocation falls $90 million below President Obama's request. Americans for the Arts has joined Voices for National Service, a national coalition, in a joint letter in support of this funding to senior legislators on the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee. With the new eligibility provided to the arts in the Serve America Act, now is the time to invest in service, creativity, and social innovation. Congress needs to fully support these important programs.

The Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to meet next week, and before they make critical funding decisions, we want to make certain they know that arts education and national and community service are priorities for communities all across the country. Write your Senators and urge them to fully fund the Serve America Act and Arts in Education programs.

Help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. If you are not already a member play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today -- it's free and simple.

Follow us on Twitter: @Americans4Arts

Call for artists - Carroll Harris Simms Black Art Competition

Application Deadline: August 31, 2009
Show Dates: November 13, 2009 - May 31, 2010
African American Museum
3536 Grand Avenue
Dallas, TX 75210
$5 per entry/4 pieces maximum

The African American Museum in historic Fair Park, Dallas, Texas would like to invite you to enter the Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition. A one person exhibtion will be offered to an artist whose work shows outstanding merit. The Museum agrees to schedule an exhibition for the winner of Best of Show within a two year perios and the artist agrees to donate a piece of artywork, at the Museum's discretion, to the permanent collection.

Eligibility: The Biennial is open to all African American artists residing in the United States

Accepted Media: Paitning, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking, Mixed Media, and Photography

To request a complete prospectus contact:
African American Museum
Attn: Jane Jones
P.O. Box 150157
Dallas, TX 75315-0153

Art Quilters - Call for Entries

Application Deadline: August 21, 2009
Show Dates: November 11, 2009 - January 10, 2010
Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center
205 Genesee St.
Auburn, NY 13021
$25 - 2 entries member/$30 - 2 entries non-members

The Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center is seeking entries for their 29th annual juried quilt exhibit, Quilts = Art = Quilts.

The Art Center has long recognized the importance of quilts as a visual medium and has been presenting quilts in an art gallery setting since 1981.

Quilts = Art = Quilts showcases 85-100 quilts every year from all over the United States and Canada.

2009 Jurors:
Rosalie Dace - Durban, South Africa
Kerr Grabowski - Sussex, New Jersey
Margo Mensing - Saratoga Springs, New York

To download the complete prospectus click [here].

Celebrating the life of longtime Artist Member Paul Sweany

It is with deep regret that we must inform you that the Art Center has lost one of its longest term and beloved instructors. Paul Sweany started teaching in 1957 at the then Art League and continued until his retirement in 2000. His always popular water color and drawing classes won him the Faculty of the Year award in 1993 followed by a retrospective of his work in 2001. Paul will be deeply missed. His family is planning a memorial service at the Art Center and we will keep you informed of the date.

Obituary:

Paul J Sweany, renowned artist, beloved husband and father passed away July 13. He was born in Indianapolis, graduated from Shortridge High School, class of ’45 and served in the Naval Reserve during WWII. As a multi talented individual of rare proportions, Paul chose between a scholarship to the prestigious Martha Graham Dance Company or the pursuit of his passion for the visual arts. Paul chose the latter and went on to receive his B.F.A. from John Herron School of Art in 1951. He married Margaret Marshall in 1950 and they had four daughters. Paul’s multitude of talents was only surpassed by his generous heart, and his sensitivity, wit and sense of humor will be missed by many.

Paul was a prolific artist, best known for his watercolor paintings. His career included over 75 solo exhibitions, over 200 awards, and artwork in private collections the world over. He was an enthusiastic instructor, and taught art and art history at Orchard Country Day School, Park Tudor, John Herron School of Art, Marian College, the Indianapolis Arts Center and the Waldron. The IAC held a lifetime multi-media retrospective of Paul’s artwork in 2001, which included watercolors, oils, ceramics, enamel jewelry, intaglio, lithography, pen & ink, pencil, dry brush ink, silkscreen, photography and a book of his poetry. A great part of Paul’s legacy will be to leave behind more beauty in the world than when he entered into it.

Paul spent many summers leading art history students on tours throughout Europe, enthusiastically sharing his love and knowledge for the Italian Renaissance, as well as all things Italian. Paul used to say " il mio corpo e' Americano e il mio cuore e' Italiano" (my body is American but my heart is Italian). He also insisted that Frascati wine was the “reason God made grapes.” Although he spent many summers traveling abroad as an instructor, he most enjoyed the later trips he took with his artistic partner and beloved wife, Margaret (Peggy). Together they explored their mutual appreciation of art, architecture and breathtaking European landscapes.

Paul was an avid nature lover and environmentalist, as was evident in his artwork and life long hobbies of raising orchids and bird watching. He and Peggy taught their daughters to see beauty in even the most subtle and overlooked details which were often depicted beautifully in his intricate watercolor paintings.

Paul leaves behind his wife, Margaret, their four daughters, Jessica Rutherford (Covington, GA), Justyn Wolf (Rochester, NY), Jaime Sweany and Jenny Stankiewicz (Bloomington, IN), their spouses; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family plans a private service at their home, with a public memorial service to be announced at a later date.

Nancy Lee - Artist Member Blog

Artist member Nancy Lee teaches classes at the Indianapolis Art Center. In addition, she can often be found at Wug Laku's Studio and Garage.

She is often producing new and exciting work.

Find out more information by checking out her blog by clicking [here].

Call for Entires: HWD 2009

Entry Deadline: September 25, 2009
Show Dates: November 9 - December 11, 2009
Rosewood Gallery
2655 Olson Drive
Kettering, OH 45420
Phone: (937) 296-0294
Fax: (937) 296-3289
$20 - 3 entries

Rosewood Gallery in Kettering, Ohio, announces a call for entries for HWD (Height, Width, Depth) 2009: A Regional Sculpture Competition. Artists from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky are invited to enter original sculptures created from any 3-D media or combination of media including: clay, wood, glass, metal and stone. The work must be able to fit through the 34" x 79" doorway and must have been created within the last four years.

Jurying will be done from slides and digital images. Work previously exhibited at Rosewood is not eligible. Completed entries (slides or CD, entry form and non-refundable check of $20.00 for up to 3 works), will be accepted through September 25, 2009. An entry form is required, copies acceptable. The exhibit runs from November 9 through December 11, 2009.

There will be an opening reception on Sunday, November 8, 2009, from 2 to 4 pm. The United Art and Education Awards, totaling $1,100, will be presented at 3 pm.

To visit the Rosewood Gallery's website and to download the prospectus* click [here].
*you will need to scroll down to find the prospectus

Call for Entries: Ohio Border Biennial 2010

Application Deadline: October 30, 2009
Show Dates: January 15 - March 28, 2010
The Dairy Barn Arts Center
P.O. Box 747
Athens, OH 45701-0747
(740) 592-4981
$35 - Four Entries

The Dairy Barn Arts Center is proud to present OH+5 Ohio Border Biennial. The seventh in a series of biennial competitions, OH+5 2010 is a regional, all media, juried exhibition of contemporary artwork. This exhibition serves to promote artists residing in Ohio and the five states that border Ohio: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. OH+5 2010 will feature NEW work that provides the viewer with an appreciation of the variety of media, techniques, and innovative trends in contemporary art.

Works eligible for consideration must be the result of independent effort. The work must be an original design, not a copy or variation on the original design of another artist working in any medium.

All entries must be NEW work - completed after Sept. 1, 2008. Work with any publication or exhibition history prior to Sept. 2008 is ineligible. The recent modification of an older or previously dated work does not make the work eligible unless the artist can document significant differences between the original and the revised version of the piece.

About the Jurors:

Brian Harper (IN) is an Assistant Professor of Fine Art and Ceramics Area Head at Indiana University Southeast. He received his B.F.A from Northern Arizona University and his M.A. and M.F.A. from the University of Iowa. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has been included in over 50 exhibitions in 23 states including 8 solo exhibitions. Additionally, he is the founder of Artaxis.org, an online network of artists that showcases the work of over 150 artists influential in the current development of contemporary ceramic art.

Dennis Harrington (OH) director of the Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Art Gallery, earned a bachelor of fine arts in painting and printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, in 1976. Harrington completed his master of fine arts in painting and drawing at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art & Architecture in 1979. From 1979-95 he was assistant to the director of the Toni Birckhead Gallery, a commercial venue in Cincinnati. Prior to his appointment as director of the Weston Art Gallery in June of 1998, he served as exhibition preparator for founding gallery director Salli LoveLarkin.

Simone Osthoff (PA) is Associate Professor of Critical Studies at the Pennsylvania State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Media and Communications from the European Graduate School in Switzerland, an M.A. degree in Art History, Theory, and Criticism from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and an M.F.A. degree from the University of Maryland. She is a member of the Leonardo Reviews panel since 2000. Her many interviews, essays, and book chapters focusing upon contemporary art have been translated into eight languages and included in among others, various MIT Press and Routledge books as well as in international art magazines and web publications. She is a Fulbright Fellow and a frequent lecturer in the United States and abroad having participated in dozens of conferences worldwide. Osthoff is the author of Performing the Archive, Atropos Press, forthcoming 2009.

To download the entry form and read the entire prospectus click [here].

New Film coming to Landmark Theaters

Landmark Theaters
8702 Keystone Crossing,
Suite 201A
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 579-3009

Coming Soon:

From Landmark Theaters:

In the midst of the repression and political unrest of pre-Spanish Civil War, eccentric artist Salvador Dalí (Robert Pattinson, Twilight) and renowned poet and revolutionary Federico García Lorca (Javier Beltrán) find their artistic and sexual freedom. The two form a bond challenged by their fierce ambitions, their friends, the struggle between a love for Spain and a love for each other. In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dalí arrives at university at the age of 18, determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the attention of two of the university's social elite—Federico García Lorca and Luis Buñuel (Matthew McNulty).

Salvador is absorbed into their decadent group and for a time Salvador, Luis and Federico become a formidable trio. However, as time passes, Salvador feels an increasingly strong pull toward the charismatic Federico—who is oblivious to the attention he is getting from the beautiful Magdalena (Marina Gatell). Federico and Salvador spend the holiday in the seaside town of Cadaqués. Both the idyllic surroundings and the warmth of the Dalí family sweep Federico off his feet. Salvador and he draw closer, sharing their deepest beliefs, inspirations and secrets, convinced that they have found a kind of friendship undreamt of by others. It is more than a meeting of the minds; it is a fusion of souls.

Director: Paul Morrison
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltrán, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell, Simón Andreu, Arly Jover, Esther Nubiola
MPAA Rating: R
Run Time: 1hr 47mins
Release Year: 2008
Country Of Origin: UK

To visit the official website click [here].
To learn more about Landmark Theaters click [here]

For showtimes click [here]

Call for Artists: Athenaeum ArtSpace

Deadline: July 31, 5:00pm
Show Dates: August 2009 (three week show) and Noember 2009 ("Inspiring Places" - Spirit and Place Exhibt)
Athenaeum ArtSpace
401 E. Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Athenaeum ArtSpace Call for Artists:

The Athenaeum ArtSpace, Indy’s newest art venue, is seeking local, family-friendly, emerging and unknown artists for commission-free exhibitions.

Each exhibition opens on IDADA First Friday and continues approximately three weeks. Artists of all media are encouraged to submit work for these juried exhibitions.

• Artist should reside in Marion or one of the seven surrounding counties.

• Artist should be capable of demonstrating the completion of two semesters of formal art studies or be capable of demonstrating at least three years of art production.

• Artist has not displayed artwork in the IDADA downtown art districts unless the display was part of a special event like “Visual Fringe” or other one-time special displays (less than 30 days).

• Artist will demonstrate an enrollment with ACI (Arts Council of Indianapolis) within 10 days prior to any display (this is a no cost enrollment).

In addition to the ongoing First Friday exhibits, we are currently looking for submissions to be included in a November exhibit with the theme “Inspiring Places” to be part of the Spirit & Place Festival (this will be art involving the theme Inspiring Places in Indianapolis).

Submissions should include the following information and should be received by July 31 at 5:00pm: Name, Address, Email, Phone, Biography/Resume, CD containing 10-20 images, image size at no less than 300dpi, 600x800, Accompanying Title List with CD, numbered accordingly and including title, medium, dimensions, and year. Do not include name on title list. All submissions are juried.

Send submissions to:
The Athenaeum ArtSpace
401 East Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
or contact Kevin Gierman at 317.655.2755 ext152 or kevingierman@athenaeumfoundation.com

The Athenaeum ArtSpace’s mission is to introduce the public to work they’ve never seen before by displaying, commission-free, the work of emerging and local unknown artists, in an effort to support the “Sound Mind and Sound Body” concepts that are central to the creation and the history of the Athenaeum. We are working diligently on improving the ArtSpace for artists by raising funds for a hanging system and lighting . The Athenaeum ArtSpace is a partnership between the Athenaeum Foundation and Indy Metro Church.

El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Call for Entries

Deadline: Friday, September 4
Dates on View: Friday, October 9 - Saturday, November 7, 2009
El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration: Sunday, November 1, Noon - 5p.m.
Indianapolis Art Center
820 E. 67th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220

The Indianapolis Art Center is calling for artists to submit proposals for Altars and Shrines for its 10th Annual El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration. The deadline for application is Friday, September 4. Below are brief descriptions on the Altars and Shrines.

About the Altar (Ofrenda):

The goal of constructing an altar, or ofrenda, is to honor and welcome back the soul of the deceased person. An altar may be dedicated to an individual or a group of people who have departed. Items on the altar should celebrate the spirit of the deceased in a way that encourages enjoyable memories.

Please note that the altars are to be for specific people, not animals, political or domestic causes. This also means that altars for groups of people should not have a political agenda or cause as a focus or detail of the altar. If you have questions about whether or not your subject is appropriate please contact us (see below for contact information).

About the Shrine:

A shrine serves as a type of memorial dedicated to an individual or a group of people who have died. Shrines range in size and scope. Many of us are familiar with a wide variety of shrines here in the United States—ranging from the World War II Memorial to small roadside shrines filled with pictures, flowers, and notes.

All shrines provide relatives, friends, and the public an opportunity to honor and reflect upon the lives led by those who have died. Shrines, like altars, have become a way of telling stories about people. They provide individuals in the community another way to express and transform loss into an experience of beauty.

The Art Center’s shrine exhibition plays an integral role in the El Día de los Muertos celebration to be held Sunday, November 1, 2009, Noon-5 p.m. Those in attendance will be able to view the shrines along a lit path in ARTSPARK. Tours of the exhibition will also be scheduled with community groups throughout the run of the show.

Call For Entries:
For more information and to download an altar application click [here].
For more information and to download a shrine application click [here].

If you have any further questions or would like to request a paper copy of the application please contact Laura Alvarado at (317) 255-2464 x 235 or Patrick Flaherty at (317) 255-2464 x238.

Ruschman Gallery holding Final Sale

As many of you have probably heard, the esteemed Ruschman Gallery is closing its doors after 25 years in Indianapolis. You can read the full story by clicking [here] (you'll have to scroll down to the article for whatever reason it won't let me link directly to the page).

They are announcing one final sale. Mark Ruschman has represented many of Indianapolis' finest artists. This is truly a great way to get some art.

From the Ruschman Gallery:

Our Closing Sale
Original works of art by gallery artists 20% - 50% discount

Tuesday, July 14 - Saturday, July 18
Ruschman Gallery
948 N. Alabama St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 634-3114
Special Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. or by appointment

This will be Ruschman Gallery's first and only art sale. All paintings, sculpture, textile, photography and works on paper at discounted prices. Please visit our website at www.RuschmanGallery.com to preview a selection of works available.

Whether you are a long-time customer or this is your first purchase, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Your purchase will save us the cost of shipping the work back to the artist and allow you to purchase a great work of art at a great price.

We truly appreciate all your support over the last 25 years. Its been a great run and we look forward to seeing you in the gallery for the closing sale.


~ Telene Edington and Mark Ruschman

The Gallery will remain open until July 31

Indiana Youth Group to Hold Art Auction

From the Indiana Youth Group (IYG):

The 9th Annual IYG Art Auction will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2009. The event will be held at the historic Stutz Building in Indianapolis and is attended by over 350 individuals. It's a wonderful event that supports IYG and promotes the arts. Our annual Art Auction features original artwok created by our youth and artwork donated by local professional artists. Plus, we host a popular silent auction with many non-art items available for bidding.

The Annual IYG Art Auction and Youth Art Show is a major funraiser for IYG's activity center and core programming. The vital programs that IYG provides to LGBT young people are solely supported through individual and community donations. All of our events are free to the youth who particpate.

If you are interested in donating artwork to this cause contact Mary A. Byrne, Exectutive Director, IYG at iyged@IndianaYouthGroup.org.

Exhibit: Intimate Works, Drawings, and Watercolors by M. Kathryn Massey OPA, AA

Friday, July 10
5:00 - 9:00pm
The Great Frame Up
8550 Ditch Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46260
(317) 872-0900

The Great Frame Up on Ditch Road invites you to a special event featuring recent works, drawings, and watercolors from Artist Member M. Kathryn Massey, OPA, AA. Refreshments will be served and you will have the chance to enter a drawing to win a gift basket.

To preview the show visit Massey's website by clicking [here].

Image "Untamed Passion" by M. Kathryn Massey.