Showcasing Do's and Don'ts

Today I attended a lively quarterly meeting on Showcasing hosted by Maryland's Teaching Artist Institute (TAI) held at Kumari restaurant in Baltimore. It was great meeting not only other teaching artists (Gail Danley, and Julie Kurzava); individuals that represent teaching artists (Liz Wheeler from Class acts Arts) and representatives from various educational and cultural institutions (ie. Maryland State Arts Council and Young Audiences). Facilitator, Pat Cruz (TAI Co-Director) skillfully orchestrated the exchange of information and responses from the informal panel about "Do's and Don'ts of Showcasing" and the later discussion about "Designing the Dream Showcase". The meeting concluded with a discussion on formats and possible alternative structures and a draft of a Plan of Action. For artists like myself who are new to showcasing, this meeting was invaluable.

Your Art Legacy

Do you ever wonder what will become of your art when you are no longer around. If you consider your art your legacy, I have learned that documenting your art is critical. You can begin by photographing everything you create and keeping good records that include when the art was produced and techniques used to create it. To encourage this notion, Black Artists of DC (BADC) scheduled an afternoon session in late August where photographer Desepe DeVargas was available to shoot members artwork. BADC founder Aziza Claudia Gibson Hunter will offer a seminar on documentation on September 24, 6 - 8:00 pm at Utrecht on 13th and Eye Streets NW, D.C.

Back In The Studio

This week I started working at painter Marsha Gallo's studio on New York Avenue to finish up work for the Serengeti show coming up. I worked on some of the digital prints I created during my residency at Pyramid and added collaged elements to them and some stamping.