2013 WSG PROGRAMS & Exhibitions
The following volunteers are needed for WSG: secretary, refreshment coordinator and writers for press releases and grants. If you are interested, please e-mail Pattie Firestone at
Exhibition: This is Labor 2013: No.3 Fall September 18 – October 20, 2013 VisArts, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville MD Curators Anne Reeve and Clair D’Alba FROM THE PRESIDENT Opening Reception: Friday, September 20, 2013, 7 - 9pm Curators’ Talk and Closing Reception: How Washington Sculptors Group (WSG) Saturday, October 19, 2pm Exhibitions Work Improvisations with Corrugated Cardboard: SG tries to hold two or three member exhibitions each year. The shows are planned Exploring the and managed by folks from the WSG board of directors. Members also volunteer to Creative Process with Whelp. Board members usually negotiate with representatives of venues to set up and schedule Artemis Herber shows, then work with exhibition managers who are responsible for producing the Call for Friday & Saturday, September 20-21, 2013 Entry and handling the show details. 10am - 4pm Jurors for exhibitions known to be qualified to curate major shows are selected from Goethe Institut, 812 7th St. NW, museums, university faculties, major galleries and exhibition spaces or other art related Washington DC Limited enrollment of 20 participants organizations, publications and the media. In addition to selecting works for the exhibition, RSVP: [email protected] curators are charged with preparing a paragraph for the Call for Entry describing what the In cooperation with Washington Project for the show is going to be about, assisting with the placement and display of the work in the gal- Arts and Goethe Institut lery and giving a talk at the opening or later. Tour of Glenstone Museum Sometimes curators are asked to recommend a title for the show and a work to feature on 12002 Glen Road, Potomac MD the front of the postcard invitation and an artist to receive the Tom Rooney Prize for Excel- Saturday, September 28, 2013, 10am lence in Sculpture presented at WSG’s Now show each year. Curators may also be asked to Limit 20 attendees (maximum of 10 cars) write an essay about the show for a catalog or brochure. They may volunteer to jury a show RSVP: [email protected] but most are paid by WSG for their service. THIS IS FULL – taking names for waiting list Images submitted by applicants to WSG shows are handled by an on-line service that WSG’s Salon VII presents them anonymously to the curator. After Saturday, October 12, 2013 visiting the exhibition space, the curator(s) select 4 - 6pm The October Salon is still in the planning suitable numbers and sizes of theme-related stages, but Washington Project for the works. It is not unusual for juror/curators to Arts (WPA) will be our host. review more than 200 images from 100 or WPA at Capitol Skyline Hotel, more applicants when making their selections 10 I (Eye) St. SW, Washington DC of perhaps 15 to 25 works. RSVP: [email protected] Work for WSG exhibitions is selected Welding Workshop from the many accomplished and quali- With Master Welder – fied submissions but is usually limited to Chas Colburn those that, in the opinion of the juror(s), can Date to be announced 5330 46th Ave., Hyattsville MD By Chris Bathgate, from WSG’s exhibition: be grouped into a balanced and coherent collection that speaks succinctly to the show’s Enrollment: Strictly limited to 18 Sculpture Now 2013 participants (Sign up via WSG website) theme. Except for the annual Sculpture Now RSVP: [email protected] shows, works are not judged independently/individually on their own merits apart from WSG Annual Image Show the rest of the submissions, but rather how well they relate to other submitted works. Most curators aim to create a show that is a work of art in and of itself — a “family” of works that In October to be announced compliment each other much the way a composer selects notes for a musical composition WSG Annual or a writer, words for a story. Dinner Meeting — Mike Shaffer, WSG President In November or December to be announced
WASHINGTON SCULPTORS 2010 #22013 Spring #3 Fall 1 WSG INFORMATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Washington Sculptors Group, founded in 1984, promotes an awareness and an president: Mike Shaffer understanding of sculpture and fosters the exchange of ideas among sculptors, collectors, vice president: Craig Schaffer secretary: (vacant) and the general public through: sponsorship of frequent events, including artists’ panels, treasurer: Pattie Porter Firestone presentations, workshops, and social gatherings; co-sponsorship of programs with museums and other art groups; and organization of professionally curated exhibitions in COMMITTEES museums and alternative spaces in the Washington area and beyond. The work of WSG Newsletter editor: Lynda Smith-Bugge; feature writer: Rima is carried out by its Board of Directors, along with its nearly 400 members—sculptors, Schulkind*; design and image management: Stephanie collectors, curators, and others interested in sculpture—in its working committees. Firestone*; group listings: Carmela Knepler*; WSG received the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Service to the Arts in 2004. solo listings: Marilee Schumann*; distribution: Gordon Lyon* Website membership Mike Shaffer, Greg Braun*, Diane Szczepaniak Communications press releases: (volunteer needed) WSG. Dues for a calendar year (Jan. – Dec.) $45/year, $15/year to students with ID graphic design: Laura Jamroz (scholarships available). Dues for renewing members are due in Oct., Nov. and Dec. for the Exhibitions following year. Dues paid by new members Jan. through Sept. will be applied to the current year. Elsabé Dixon, chair; Alan Binstock, Gloria Chapa, Current paid-up members have “Member through 2013” above their names on their mailing Jeff Chyatte, Terry deBardelaben, Pattie Porter Firestone, Mimi Frank, Maggie Gourlay*, labels. To join/renew, print membership form from the WSG website, fill it out and send it with a Laura Jamroz, Mike Shaffer, Diane Szczepaniak check to: Washington Sculptors Group, PO Box 42534, Washington DC 20015. PayPal may also Grants be used to pay WSG membership dues through the WSG website. To change your membership Gay Hannah, Emily Piccarillo* address of record and for receiving this newsletter, send your name and address by email to Membership/Data Base
2 20102013 #3 #2 Fall Spring WASHINGTON SCULPTORS MEMBER NEWS
Many of the listings below are for shows that are over. The editor feels that this is not a “where to go” section, but a source for showing members what their colleagues have been doing and to honor members’ accomplishments in print. Events that are likely to be available after publication will be marked with a n . Solo and Feature Shows (2 or 3 artists), Commissions, Honors: n n Marcia Billig, Upward Bound, Rima Schulkind, Wall Sculpture, permanent installation Howard County Conservancy, commissioned by the 10520 Old Frederick Rd., City of Gaithersburg, Woodstock MD, September 11 – 9711 Washingtonian Blvd., October 12, 2013. Opening Gaithersburg MD. reception September 13, 1-3pm. n n Richard Binder, Impressions in Lynda Smith-Bugge, Undressing Steel, The Byrne Gallery, 7 West Trees, Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Washington St., Middleburg VA, Eveland Rd, Ridgely MD, Marcia Billig, Upward Rima Schulkind, Vision, October 10 – November 6, 2013. Bound, bronze, 5' x 3' September 30 – November 29, Reception October 12, 5-8pm, 2013. Reception October 5, 3-5pm porcelain, 20x15 in gallery talk October 26, 3-5pm. n Athena Tacha, With/ In Nature, Alan Binstock, Speaker, Art Science Grounds for Sculpture, Domestic Evening Rendezvous exploring Arts Building, Hamilton NJ, the topic of visualizing space. October 5 – March 31, 2014. Keck Center, 500 Fifth St., NW, n Wilfredo Valladares, Washington DC, June 20, 2013. Journey Anacostia, a public art sculpture n Mary Annella “Mimi” Frank, and mural, 1201 Good Hope Rd., A Study in Proxemics. Outdoor Washington DC. sculpture installation sponsored by George Wedberg, the Community Art Foundation Transformed, of the Lowcountry, Hilton Head BlackRock Center for the Arts, Richard Binder, Geometry 12901 Town Commons Dr., Island SC, through January 2014. stainless steel, n Germantown MD. Athena Tacha, Green Metaphors and the Mundane, 31x25x15 in Acres (det), 1985-87, with King Street Gallery, Montgomery sandblasted photos of New Jersey endangered College, Takoma Park MD, September 26 – October 17, nature, in Trenton NJ, 2013. Opening reception September 26, 6-8pm. n 3x77x85 ft Cassiopeia Dreams of Better Days, Howard County Arts Commission, Ellicott City MD, September 6 – George Wedberg, October 18, 2013. Reception September 29, 6-8pm. Convolution, black cherry, 7x18x7 in n Artemis Herber, Cardboard City: The Goethe-Institute, 812 Seventh St., NW, Washington DC, August 27 – September 27, 2013 n Donna McCullough, with Deborah Barlow, Morpeth Contemporary, Hopewell NJ, September 21 – October 12, 2013. Reception September 21, 6-8pm. n Century One Art Space, Arlington VA, through December 2013. n Robert Sanábria, Triple Step, Donna McCullough, Lynda Smith-Bugge, Open Book 2, burled maple, Permanent installation, Trump Ophelia, In the Garden GIrl Series, welded steel, 34x15x20 in Place, 180 Riverside Boulevard, Robert Sanábria, 57x24x15 in Triple Step II, bronze on New York NY. copper, 72x45x43 in member news continues on page 4
WASHINGTON SCULPTORS 2010 #22013 Spring #3 Fall 3 MEMBER NEWS continued
GROUP SHOWS Landscapes of Color, Louisa Gould Gallery in Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Haven MA, August 8 – A Grand Obsession, Capital Arts Network, Rockville MD, September 16, 2013, including Joan Konkel. June 2013 including Michael Enn Sirvet, Martha Jackson Jarvis. MiniSolos, Touchstone Gallery, Washington DC, August 2013, All Things Metal, Hyattstown Mill Arts Project, Hyattstown including Craig Arnold, MD, May 26-July 7.2013, including Christopher Liz Lescault, Rosemary Bathgate, Janet Broome, Jeff Chyatte, Luckett, John Schaffner, Pattie Porter Firestone, Bruce Gugliuzza, Janet Wheeler. Leila Holtsman, Steven Jones, Sam Noto, Mike Shaffer, Megan Van Wagoner On Exhibit, Women’s Caucus for Art, n Greater Washington WCA/DC, American Academy of Equine Art, 2013 Fall Open Juried Glenview Mansion Art Exhibit, Scott County Arts & Cultural Center Gallery, Gallery, August 4 – September 3, Georgetown KY, September 13 – October 19, 2013, Lynda Donna McCullough. 2013, including including Smith-Bugge. Rosemary Luckett, Snow and Rain Maker, n ARTsites project, public art sculpture, Ongoing outdoor exhibition, McGuffey wood, paint, 17.5x13x3 in Branch Public Library at Arts Center, Charlottesville VA, 10275 Little Patuxent Parkway 201 2nd St., NW, including Mary Brownstein. in Columbia MD, including n Paul Steinkoenig. Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital, Museum of Arts and Design, New York NY, October 15 – July 6 2014, Digital Noise, Broadway Gallery, curator-led tour, Thursday, October 17, 2013, 6:30pm, 473 Broadway, New York NY, including Christopher Bathgate. March 2013, including n Frances Sniffen. Piedmont Virginian Artists Showcase, jurors Donald Allen Moser, Gary Robertson, Maggie Stiner, Paul Steinkoenig, October 6 – November 3, 2013. Reception October 12, In Harmony, welded steel, Confluent Gallery at River District Arts, 3 River Lane, 10'x42x26 in Sperryville VA, including Mary Brownstein.
Frances Sniffen, Radius250 2013, Artspace, zero east 4th street, Richmond VA, Digital Noise, drawing June – August 2013, juror N. Elizabeth Schlatter, Deputy with non tarnish alum, Director and Curator of Exhibitions at the University of 48x60 in Richmond Museums, including Greg Braun. Elements in Balance: Earth-Wind-Fire- n Shades of Summer Vineyard & Water, Annmarie Sculpture Winery at Lost Creek, Garden & Art Center, Solomons Leesburg VA, August 4 – MD, June – August 2013, John A. Schaffner. September 27, 2013, including including Marty n Scheinberg, (e)merge art fair, Capitol Skyline Elizabeth Steel. Hotel, 10 Eye St. SW, Washington DC, October 3-6, 2013, including Linda Hesh. n Mary Brownstein, Boarding Pass, Envision II, Ice House, Berkeley wax and steel, 15.75x9.5x18 in Springs WV, August 30 – October 27, 2013 including Nancy Frankel, Tazuko Ichikawa, Elaine Elaine Langerman, Palm Langerman, Rima Series #38: Paths & Pools, 6/1/87, mixed media, Schulkind, Lynda Smith- 4" diameter Bugge, Janet Wheeler, John A. Schaffner, FIRE Past Present Future, Beth Whiteley. burnt wood assemblage member news continues on page 5
4 20102013 #3 #2 Fall Spring WASHINGTON SCULPTORS MEMBER NEWS continued
n The Open West 2013, Newark Park UK, July 6 – August 18, WSG Members in a Show at 2013, Cheltenham Art Gallery + Museum UK, Hyattstown Mill Art Project (HMAP) October 12 – November 6, curators Lyn Cluer Coleman Artemis Herber. and Sarah Goodwin, including welve members of WSG were curated by Bobby The Story of the Creative, See I Exhibition Space, Long Island Donovan, a past member of WSG’s board of directors City, Queens NY, July 29-September 10, 2013, including Tand Executive Director of the Project, in All Things Metal, Joan Konkel. an exhibition of 18 sculptors at HMAP May 26 through July 7, 2013. HMAP is located in Little Bennett Park in n This is Labor, Washington Sculptors Group, VisArts, 155 northern Montgomery County, MD. Mr. Donovan also Gibbs St., Rockville MD, jurors Anne Reeve & Claire includes WSG members’ work in exhibitions he manages D’Alba, September 18 – October 20, 2013, including at a venue in Crystal City (Arlington) VA. Jan Acton, Greg Braun, Nizette Brennan, HMAP is a membership-based non-profit cultural arts Jeffery Cooper, Elsabé Dixon, Martin organization dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Feldman, Maggie Gourlay, Adam Robert the region. Its Mill Gallery is housed in an historic gristmill Hager, Kim Hyeon, Jacqueline Maggi, Elena dating from the late 1700s. It is located on the edge of the Patino, John Ruppert, Paul Steinkoenig, 3700-acre park operated by the Maryland-National Capital Diane Szczepaniak, Elizabeth Whiteley, Park and Planning Commission. HMAP is also host to art Millicent Young. exhibitions throughout the summer as well as three annual n poetry/literary events each year, monthly music gatherings Trawick Prize Finalist Show, and weekly meetings of artists and writers. Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin — Mike Shaffer Ave., Bethesda MD, September 6 – 28, 2013, including Adam Robert Hager. Washington Sculptors Group Celebrates 30th Anniversary in 2014 Washington Art Matters: 1940’s-1980’s, American lans are now underway for activities to commemorate University Museum Katzen Adam Robert Hager, Super WSG’s 30 year history. Included will be the Sculpture Tuff, muffler, typewriter, Arts Center, Washington DC, PNow 2014 exhibition to be held at American University xylophone, wood, hardware, Museum at the Katzen Center. The exhibition committee June – August 2013, including 20x23x17 in Joan Danziger, Carol is coordinated by Artemis Herber and includes Jeff Cooper Brown Goldberg, Elaine and Marilyn Geldzahler. Langerman, Joe White. WSG plans to create a video about WSG shows for the November 2014 Sculpture Now exhibition. Each member Westmaryginiasylvanington: Regional Juried Exhibition, juror will be able to submit digital photos of two sculptures that Andrea Pollan, Hodson Gallery, Hood College, Frederick have been accepted in previous WSG shows. Look for Maggie Gourlay, MD, July – August 2013, including technical requirements, when and where to submit files in Stephanie Williams. emails later this fall. For questions about the video contact Marilyn Geldzahler at [email protected]. Women as Color, Light and Form, Galerie Myrtis, Baltimore Rachel MD, July – August 2013, including Upcoming WSG Exhibitions in 2014 include: Rotenberg. March 21 – May 4, 2014 50th Anniversary Show Atheneaum, Old Town Alexandria, VA
@ MFA, Maryland Curator Renée Stout Federation of Art, June 17 – August 23, 2014 Annapolis MD, July – August 2013, American Association for the Advancement of Science Curator Sarah Tanguy including C.L. Bigelow. November 8 – December 20, 2014
C.L. Bigelow, nest, wire hangers, bicycle Sculpture Now 2014 spokes, typewriter rods, found metal American University Museum at the Katzen Center pieces, 23x15x7 in Opening Reception: November 8 Curator Jack Rasmussen
WASHINGTON SCULPTORS 2010 #22013 Spring #3 Fall 5 Featured WSG Advisory Board Member Interview by Rima Schulkind
Laura Roulet for-tat reciprocity situation for license plate costs here and in other countries (e.g. if you charge our ambassador a million dollars for a plate in your country we’ll do likewise for yours here). This cold war experience gave her a sound basis in honing her negotia- tion skills.
Her next job was with the newly created Pollock-Krasner Foundation. Its mission was to help artists as Lee Krasner herself would have liked to have been helped. It offered grants to “individuals with recogniz- able artistic merit and financial need.” As its first grants manager, Laura spent five years working directly with artists, guiding them through the unusual opportunity of repre- Laura with Cherry Blossom Cloud by Charles Juhasz-Alvarado senting themselves to apply for assistance. This was an important influence in shaping Laura Roulet’s natural environment is (DCCAH) 5x5 public art project pieces what was to become her main career focus: art. Growing up surrounded by art and an (more about which later). When the Arena helping meritorious but unknown artists to enthusiasm for creativity, she continues spot had to be vacated, a home had to be achieve recognition. that tradition in her life and her profession. found for the large, complex sculpture— Arriving at her home, one is confronted by where else but Laura’s front yard! This is but The next seven years were spent in Puerto a wooden structure. At first glance, it ap- one example of the right-time-right-place Rico, where Laura immersed herself in pears to be a jumble of lawn furniture, but occurrences that have nourished Laura’s getting to know, exhibit and write about that quickly sorts itself out as a fascinating life and career. Another is marrying a man Puerto Rican artists. (See her website for construction of shapes and juxtapositions: from Puerto Rico who wanted eventually to details.) Some of these artists were already Cherry Blossom Cloud by Charles Juhasz- return there, thus fostering her bi-national established in the art world, and some she Alvarado. This multi media piece offers career. guided into recognition. She worked with the opportunity both to admire it visually the Luigi Marrozzini art gallery in San Juan, and to enjoy a variety of percussive sounds, Creating her own major at Trinity College, and wrote exhibition reviews for Caribbean from xylophone to timpani, with mallets she earned a B.A. in art history and litera- Business. Her first curatorial experience was and drumsticks available for audience par- ture. After Trinity and a year of looking at art selecting and installing work by Raimundo ticipation. Laura fortuitously acquired the in England, she returned for an M.A. from Figueroa—his first solo exhibition in the piece due to logistic necessity: Washing- the John Hopkins School of International Institute of Culture in Puerto Rico. Another ton’s Arena Stage had offered its grounds Studies. After graduating she became the important local artist whose work she fos- to host one of the District of Columbia doyen of the diplomatic license plate for tered was Charles Juhasz-Alvarado. Rafael Commission on Arts and Humanities the U.S. state department—working in a tit- Ferrer was an artist who had turned his back on Puerto Rico in favor of furthering his career in the continental U.S. She helped According to Lenny Campello…she is the him reforge his Puerto Rican identity. Laura promoted his interactions and friendships with other Puerto Rican artists, and this “hottest curator in the DMV area.” ultimately influenced his return to the island where he deeply invested himself in its art scene.
6 20102013 #3 #2 Fall Spring WASHINGTON SCULPTORS Featured WSG Advisory Board Member Interview by Rima Schulkind
Returning to the States, Laura pursued a reawakened an interest that may lead to her of work and scant time available made this second M.A. in art history at the University second book, a Mendieta biography. the most stressful and exhilarating job she’s of Maryland. Her thesis on Puerto Rican had. Conceptually and academically, it installation art, drawing on the expertise she Laura has done a good deal of curatorial called into play her knowledge of available had acquired there, was published as a book work in the Washington area. (According and dependable artists, possible spaces, the by the University of Puerto Rico. to Lenny Campello, an area art personage logistics of materials involved, and negotiat- in his own right, she is the “hottest curator ing with the artists and other curators. She is An internship at the Hirshhorn Museum in the DMV area.”) A list of some of her currently preparing an exhibit for Artisphere and Sculpture Garden—working with cura- shows includes: 2004, curator, WSG exhibit of performance artist Wilmer Wilson. tor Olga Viso—later led to Laura’s working at the Organization of American States, Art with her on an Alma Mendiata catalog. Museum of the Americas; 2009, mentoring Doing what she loves and loving what she This five-year project involved intensive curator, Landria Shack, District of Colum- does neatly describes Laura Roulet’s life. research and detective work from New bia Arts Center (DCAC): juror, WSG’s Constantly seeking to expand her knowledge York to Miami—pursuing archives and 25th anniversary exhibit; 2010, curator, of area artists, she attends many art openings and makes a lot of studio visits. Writing about art and artists is an important component of her career as the publication of her many articles in top art publica- tions attests. Further, in addition to contemplating a biography of Mendiata, she is considering a book on Los Angeles artists. (Hopefully, this does not pres- age her leaving the Washington area.)
Her academic commitment to art is demonstrated by the hundreds of well used art art books that line the walls of her office-aerie, A small selection of some of the art in which overlooks a living space her home, clockwise from left: Calder, filled with an impressive art col- Picasso, and Ernst in the corner arrangement; African figures; Italo lection including pieces by Man Scanga and Dale Chihuly collaboration; Ray, Max Ernst, Picasso, Calder, and a Calder-designed textile made in Guatemala as well as both familiar local and foreign artists and unknown, but her subject’s personal calendar and travel Clark Bedford, Hillyer Art Space. In perhaps soon-to-become known, ticket stubs; and interviewing more than 2012, she was one of five winners in others. Her somewhat eclectic 100 people who knew her, both to correct DCCAH’s curatorial competition for taste seems to favor sculpture, misinformation and to sort out the path its 5x5 temporary public art project. abstraction, and imagination in she had traveled, ending in her mysterious Each of the chosen curators was re- concept and materials. death by defenestration. (Her husband, Carl sponsible for selecting five different Andre, was charged with her murder but artists, each to create a major outdoor Laura Roulet’s depth of knowl- was exonerated.) Laura had seen a show of piece, to be installed concurrently edge, enthusiasm, and energy Mendieta’s work at the New Museum many throughout the city. Laura said that greatly enhance the Washington years before, and working on the catalog the tremendous responsibility, amount art scene. Aren’t we lucky!
WASHINGTON SCULPTORS 2010 #22013 Spring #3 Fall 7 Featured WSG Member Interview by Rima Schulkind
Elaine Langerman
One element will appear, suggest another,
and off she goes into another small universe.
At first all fun and colorful joy, until
you look again.
Elaine Langerman thesis advisor for her MFA. In 1976, facing sarily invited to enter. Most of these worlds a spousal move to Colorado, and with 6 are constructed of meticulously painted and Elaine Langerman has been making art in credits lacking for a degree, she continued collaged dimensional celastic (a material one form or another since second grade, under Truit’s mentoring via slides and used by taxidermists), paperclay, styrofoam, when she won a prize for drawing. In her correspondence about her ongoing work. found images and/or objects, glitter and early teens she spent Saturdays and sum- This consisted mainly of painted fabric other paints. mers taking classes at the Corcoran. During sculptures, reflecting a feminist proclivity. middle school and high school she won In 1983 she returned to Washington, leav- Elaine is the recipient of eight DCCAH thirteen awards in the form of gold keys ing her wood sculptures with Sebastian- grants and is represented in many private in the annual National Scholastic Art and Moore, a Colorado gallery that has since and public collections including museums, Writing competitions. (This program has an closed its doors. libraries and universities. Her lengthy resumé impressive legacy dating back to 1923 and a lists many solo exhibits, critical acclaim and roster of past winners includes Andy Warhol, Back in Washington in 1985, Elaine rees- juried shows. She has enjoyed a rewarding Sylvia Plath, and Richard Avedon.) tablished her relationship with Ann Truitt career: Komei Watchi and Mark Moyens of who proposed as an exercise that she cre- the much missed Gallery K both exhibited Not one, but two colleges offered Elaine ate a series of 3"x3"x3" universes, each its scholarships—Georgia and Syracuse Uni- own little self-contained world. Thus was versity. She opted for the latter, but after launched the Elaine we have come to know. one year of its rather insular cliquiness, she Until her death in 2004, Truitt continued to transferred to American University, earning mentor Elaine from time to time. a B.A in 1960. She then gave public school art teaching a two-year try, but found she Many of us are familiar with the little hated it. She resigned and went to Europe dioramas that hang or stand, or occupy for a month of immersing herself in art. Then Elaine’s hand-made books.These are popu- followed six years of bearing and mothering lated by lavishly colored people, animals two children, with no room for art in her and plants. At first glance they seem lush, life. Once the children were in school Elaine and jolly and amusing. But take another returned to her art studies. look: some of her creatures have missing limbs or heads; they rarely interact or look She earned a B.A. in art at American Uni- at each other; they are just there in the versity in 1960, and then entered Maryland moment, carefully hiding their feelings, if University in 1973 to study studio art (earn- they have any. Think: Hopper on LSD. The ing her MFA in 1978. Ann Truitt was her viewer is permited to look, but not neces- Doll Head
8 20102013 #3 #2 Fall Spring WASHINGTON SCULPTORS Featured WSG Member Interview by Rima Schulkind
Jungle My Lings #2 Rainy Cat
and collected her work for seventeen years. fairy tales, poems and mys- After its closing, Elyse Harrison carried her tical interpretations of our work at Gallery Neptune for three years until history and beginnings.” it closed. Currently, her drawings are with She doesn’t plan her pieces, Neptune Fine Art. George Mason Univer- they self-propel into her sity bought eleven of her handmade books consciousness. One element for their permanent collection and her Alice will appear, suggest another, in Wonderland book series was purchased and off she goes into an- by the University of Southern California’s other small universe. At first Library, Lewis Carroll Collection. She is col- all fun and colorful joy, until laborating with Ori Soltes, a poet who was you look again. Chief Curator of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum, and who is now Recently Elaine has re- Goldman Professorial Lecturer at George- turned to a very early form town University. The project is to complete of her expression, pure ten paintings inspired by ten of Dr. Soltes’ drawing. This threatens to poems and, together, to show them and to completely alter the look My Lings 14 produce a book with both the poems and of her work. Starkly two- the paintings. dimensional and without color, using various types of metal point, wildly embellished (camouflaged?) with A bit of a mystic, Elaine explains, “I explore it is as though she has pared down to the color and dimensionality hinting at what miracles—the miracle of memory, the mir- essence informing much of her work: a some might percceive as a darker, almost acle of dreams and the miracles described in lean, spare perspective that she had hitherto macabre, perspective.
WASHINGTON SCULPTORS 2010 #22013 Spring #3 Fall 9 News and Reviews
Sculptor Named to WSG Advisory Board This is Labor
thena Tacha, a sculptor from Washington, DC has joined WSG’s SG’s juried exhibition is currently on display at VisArts advisory board. Athena has a Ph.D. in aesthetics from Sorbonne Rockville through October 20, 2013. The exhibition seeks to AUniversity in Paris. She was a publishing art historian and curator of exploreW the intersections and overlap between the sphere of “work” and modern art at the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College that of “art”. Historically art has been placed squarely in the realm of for 10 years during which time she published books on Brancusi and traditional labor. What sort of labor does the artist today undertake— Rodin and many articles on contemporary sculpture. In 1973 she began a intellectual, emotional, physical, durational, technical, or performa- teaching career at the college and, “moved to Washington DC in 1999,” tive? How is that labor valued, and by whom? How does practicality she said, “to work simply as a sculptor,” having executed to date over inform the practice? What is the relationship between time invested 40 public commissions all over the US. She has shown recently at the and resulting value? State Museum of Contemporary Art in Thessaloniki, Greece and the Curator Anne Reeve currently serves as Curatorial Associate at Glen- Onassis Cultural Center in Athens, as well as numerous locations in stone, a private-arts foundation located in Potomac, MD. She has worked the U.S., including The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, where she for the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, TX, The Guggenheim Museum, had a retrospective in 1989, and more recently the American Univer- NY, and The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy. She has an sity Museum, Katzen Arts Center, DC (2005). In New York she has MA in the History of Art from University College London. had one-artist shows at the Virginia Zabriskie, Bernice Steinbaum, Curator Claire D’Alba is an Assistant Curator with Art in Embassies Max Hunthinson and Kouros Galleries, as well as at Franklin Furnace, at the U.S. Department of State. She has assistant curated permanent col- and since 2004 she is represented by the Marsha Mateyka Gallery in lections and temporary exhibitions for U.S. diplomatic missions around Washington DC. the world. Prior to her current position, she worked in philanthropic consulting at Campbell & Company and at the National Gallery of Art.
Seeking Sculptors to Inspire Secondary Students
’ve decided to introduce my Advance Placement students this year to whereby other WSG members could share theirs. If you are interested local WSG members and their work as a result of my interaction with in sharing your process with eager and talented students contact me at IJoan Danziger. I first met her at the December WSG Annual Meeting.
10 20102013 #3 #2 Fall Spring WASHINGTON SCULPTORS Jeffery Cooper Diane Szczepaniak Jan Acton Greg Braun Millicent Young
John Ruppert Jeffery Cooper Elsabé Dixon Elena Patino
Jaqueline Maggi Nizette Brennan
Elizabeth Whiteley Martin Feldman Paul Steinkoenig
Maggie Gourlay Millicent Young Adam Robert Hager Kim Hyeon
WASHINGTON SCULPTORS 2010 #22013 Spring #3 Fall 11 Classified Ads & Other Information
Studio Spaces: The Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Arts & Indiana limestone, tools, gantry and chain hoist available Entertainment District has studios available in Studio B. Artists who live from member Jo Israelson
See Washington Sculptors images in color at
PO Box 42534 Washington DC 20015
WASHINGTON SCULPTORS Winter Issue Deadline December 10, 2013
12 20102013 #3 #2 Fall Spring WASHINGTON SCULPTORS