I have had conversations with a number of fellow WCA-MI members recently about various opportunities to show work at art fairs, online galleries or “vanity” galleries which are paid for by fees levied from artists. There are many, and seem to be more all the time, both physical and virtual. The best advice I’ve come across was in an article on http://www.artbusiness.com which you can read by googling http://www.artbusiness.com/artist-pay-to-play-list.html .
WCA Michigan Artist’s Profile: Gabrielle Pescador
Gabrielle Pescador became an artist on the Day of the Dead. A linguist by training, the installation for the Day of the Dead that she created in collaboration with the her husband Juan Javier Pescador for Michigan State University Museum sparked her interest in a new career. Since their debut in 2007, these multifaceted altars have been shown annually and have also been exhibited in 2009 and 2010 at the National Museum of Mexican Art (Chicago).
Pescador had some early success with her paintings, sculptures and installations, but felt the need for a more complete grounding in art history and contemporary art practices. She chose the 1-year post-graduate program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago because she wanted “the experience of immersing myself in an art community and engaging in critical discourse”. This was her first art school experience.
In what may be an understatement, Pescador says she has found it “stimulating…so much going on, so many different artists working in so many different ways.” And although she has found the intensity and pace of the program challenging at times, Pescador loved being connected to the Art Institute of Chicago and engaging with the Chicago art community. Her exposure to new ideas and ways of working has led her to become more productive as an artist.
She is currently working on a documentary with her husband Javier on the transgender community in Windsor, Ontario, collaborating on a book about shoe design with Prof. James Sommerfeldt of SAIC and planning on returning to school in the fall, this time as an MFA candidate in fiber at Cranbrook Academy of Art.
A studio visit with Gabriela Sincich
Michigan chapter members Brenda Oelbaum and Amanda Moyer and WCA supporter Jeremy Hansen traveled to West Lafayette, Indiana to stay with Gabriela Sincich. Sincich is a WCA member at large with a passion for representing nature in her work. Oelbaum and Sincich connected a few months ago over a performance idea Oelbaum submitted to (corpo)realities, the 2nd Annual Graduate Symposium on Theatre and Performance Studies at Indiana University. Upon acceptance into the event, Oelbaum asked Sincich to participate in her performance Corporal Punishment II.
The Symposium weekend has arrived, so we joined Sincich at her home for the evening in order to prepare for the performance and to connect with yet another talented female artist. We were greeted by a home filled with smells of delicious Mediterranean food and walls covered in beautiful art created by Sincich.
Sincich shared her beautiful paintings and drawings with us and a peak inside her process as she guided us through her studio and home. She even shared the exciting news that a gallery in Chicago has agreed to represent her work. Congratulations Gabriela!
Today we will rehearse for the performance and continue to connect to Sincich before we travel the two hours to Bloomington, Indiana. Check back for more posts on the Performance Symposium and the art scene in Indiana as we explore the town this afternoon.
To see more of Gabrielle Sincich’s work visit her website: http://gsincich.com/
The Woman Show at CAID
Brenda Oelbaum and Amanda Moyer attended the opening of the Women’s Show at CAID this past week. It was the triple treat: art, music, and poetry. The evening began with an inspiring panel discussion with four confident women artists from Detroit. Next dynamic female poets took the spotlight and wowed the audience with their passionate, artistic rhetoric. The evening rounded out with food, music and time to browse two floors of women’s art. If you did not get to the opening this year, look out for the third annual Women’s show next year. Their call for art should come out sometime in January.
FREE W.A.R. Film Viewing!
JOIN US!
Michigan WCA’s own Brenda Oelbaum will be introducing this Lynn Hershman Leeson Film W.A.R. Women Art Revolution. This viewing will be hosted by the Ann Arbor Women Artists Group in collaboration with the Michigan Chapter of the Women’s Caucus for Art. Come out and celebrate women’s history month by bringing your friends to view this film which details the major developments of women’s art through the 1970’s with first hand footage by Lynn Hershman Leeson.
Let’s Get Down to Business!
Most of the conference goers are on their way home today. Only a small group of motivated board members tend to stay behind in order to “make it happen” at the semiannual WCA board meeting. Gathered in NYC’s Bello restaurant, the board works on planning upcoming conferences, maintaining fiduciary responsibilities, addressing the needs of chapters and members, as well as planning programs to ensure the health of this wonderful non-profit arts organization. Have you ever wondered about how you can become more involved nationally? Consider volunteering at an upcoming conference, participating on a board committee, or even filling a board position! No matter what your knowledge of board roles are, or where you are in your art career, participating nationally on anyone of these levels can lead to new connections, friendships, leadership experiences and insight into the world of arts organizations.
Book Fairs in the Morning, Galleries in the Evening.
Today was a day filled with great discoveries, good book deals, networking, and artistic inspiration. From the CAA book fair to a walking gallery tour in Chelsea, the only way I can describe the day is in photos. Enjoy!
What have you Smelled Lately?
Several of the YWC members exhilarated their senses at the Museum of Art and Design. The Art of Smell exhibit was a first for all of us.
As we left to return to the afternoon panels we discovered on the exterior of the museum an art world for the public to enjoy… A world which warmed the body on this blustery NYC day. Here is the view for you to enjoy too!
Panel Presentation on the Current State of Women Artists in the Art World.
Brenda Oelbaum attended a presentation at the Women’s Caucus for Art conference in New York. Susan Fisher Sterling, Director of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, informed the audience about the current state of women artists in the art world. Above is poster created by the Guerilla Girls to reveal how the sad truth about how few women artists are represented in national museums. Below are some stunning statistics for women artist’s representation in U.S. They aren’t as great as we had hoped.
-Percentage of visual artists working today who are women – 46%
-Percentage of work on U.S. museum walls today by women artists -5%
-National Gallery, Washington, DC – 2%
-Museum of Modern Art NY – 7%
–National Museum of Women in the Arts – 100%
-Percentage of solo exhibitions in the U.S. featuring women artists – 2%
-Gender distribution of visual artists featured in art books today
Women – 10% Men – 90%
A morning of young fresh ideas!
This morning the Young Women’s Caucus gathered at the American Folk Art Museum in NYC. In order to break up the typical caucus meeting structure, Jaimianne Amicucci, chair of YWC, lead the gathering through a fantastic visioning workshop. This morning each woman in the meeting focused on her own unique goals, passions and ambitions. The dynamic, heartfelt discussion that ensued lead to some rich ideas and new friendships. 2013 for the YWC may prove to be an exciting year!
WCAMI 