Call for Artists
When Brains Collide
Posted on 5/23/13 by Jen Urso » 4 Comments
Many artists spend an inordinate amount of time thinking when, really, they want to change the world. They are something like maniacal world leaders but without all the guns, killing and domination. They are sketching, writing, researching, reading, watching, futzing. As mentioned a few weeks ago, this time alone to brood and develop can be incredibly useful and productive. But, sometimes, at some point, an artist might come to a point where she’s stuck and doesn’t know how to move ahead.
Putting our heads together to conquer the world with art.
A good, complex work doesn’t usually get there by coming up with an initial idea and immediately executing it. You can’t say you came up with an invention by just talking about it. You have to actually go through the process of making the thing. In order to avoid artwork becoming gimmicky or only concepts that you throw around at a party after a few drinks, a little more work is involved.
There are a lot of these ideas that float around the community—a lot of “what ifs.” But “what if” these ideas and projects began to take form and “what if” there was a source someone could go to get out of a rut, hear some suggestions and be encouraged to move on to the next stage?
Enough Talk, More Action
I’d like to propose a series of discussion/brainstorming sessions for the downtown Phoenix area. It’s been my experience that sometimes, people just need a little push. This could be by sitting back and letting someone talk out an idea or by bombarding them with questions. Call it a selfish act but I like to see interesting things happening around me. I like being part of them. I like to think and help others work out ideas.
Each month topics will rotate from something like text-based works to art using technology to creative computer hacking to new approaches with sculptural materials. People interested in participating will sign up or congregate via a website and then be prepared to talk for five minutes in front of a group about the project. The focus of the meet-up is to talk more about the work and less about ourselves. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the area, an undergrad at ASU or an experienced artist with national exposure—the point of the group is to use the collective power of each other’s brains to come up with a solution or suggestion on where to take the work next.
Think of this less as social networking and more as project developing. There are plenty of outlets in Phoenix for social meet-ups of like-mindeds. The art openings on First and Third Fridays end up being a place where artists and other creative people can mix and relax but when can we sit down and discuss the details and the ugly truth of actually making a work possible? Somehow, maybe, we’re holding back.
This can be a venue to voice new work that an artist isn’t so sure about—something that functions outside a comfort zone. Artists who usually work in paint but have been toying around with the idea of a web-based project could come to a meeting and solicit suggestions from others who regularly and fluently work with the web.
Meetings would stay on track with a moderator to make sure that everyone can be heard and no one monopolizes the time (we know how artists like to talk). Guest artists, curators and writers will be invited to participate in the discussion in an effort to bring in an outside voice with a different perspective. The direction of the conversation would be constructive, direct and candid. Be prepared for someone to cry. I’ve seen it happen before… or perhaps I was the one doing the crying.
If this sounds like something you’d like to participate in some time in the near future or if you feel that a meeting like this will help push creation in Phoenix to a new level, please “like” this article, use the comments section here to voice your support or email me at jen@dphxj.com.
Some name suggestions for the group: Clash of the Artists, What Happens When Brains Collide (WHWBC), P-Art-Y (you decide what the P and Y stand for), We Make Artists Cry, Combustion, ThinkAct.
Wire | Valley Youth Theatre Hosts Water Mural Series
Posted on 4/25/13 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
DPJ’s Wire series delivers news and information straight from the source without translation.
#Water Writes, a global public arts initiative spearheaded by the Estria Foundation, has enlisted community artists to paint the tenth of 12 water-themed murals on the south- facing wall of Valley Youth Theatre, located on the corner of Fillmore and First Street in Downtown Phoenix.
Each of the locations selected for #WaterWrites murals—California, Honolulu, Palestine, Philippines, El Salvador, Colombia, South Africa, British Columbia and Phoenix— are facing critical water issues. The Downtown Phoenix mural, “Water Is Life,” will incorporate imagery designed to inspire and educate—on the way in which water is delivered into Phoenix, the impacts of wasteful water policies, and sustainable energy alternatives.
Local community organizations, Black Mesa Water Coalition, Tonatierra, PUENTE, and the Phoenix Revitalization Corporation have worked together with a team of community artists, including Jeff Slim, Angel Diaz, and Averian Chee to create the mural image. Painting will begin on Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m. and the finished wall will be unveiled during First Friday on May 3 at 4 p.m.
“To get a mural of this caliber, with such a great story, is a big win for Downtown,” said Downtown Phoenix Partnership Vice President Terry Madeksza. “To have community artists using Valley Youth Theatre as their canvas makes the effort all the more special.”
Everyone is invited to attend the mural’s kickoff “paint party” on site at Valley Youth Theatre at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. The paint party will feature complimentary food and refreshments by Squash Blossom, live music, and an opportunity for attendees to paint a portion of the wall.
To help support, or get more information on the #WaterWrites Mural series visit www.estria.org or visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAeYOrZbJtA to watch videos of the completed mural projects.
About The Downtown Phoenix Partnership
The Downtown Phoenix Partnership is a nonprofit organization made up of property owners located in Arizona’s Urban Heart, between Fillmore to south of Jackson Streets and Third Avenue to Seventh Street. The Partnership provides enhanced municipal services within this area including the management and marketing of Downtown Phoenix. For more information, visit DowntownPhoenix.com. The Partnership can be reached at (602) 254-8696.
About Black Mesa Water Coalition
Black Mesa Water Coalition is dedicated to preserving and protecting Mother Earth and the integrity of Indigenous Peoples’ cultures, with the vision of building sustainable and healthy communities. BMWC strives to empower young people while building sustainable communities. www.blackmesawatercoalition.org
About The Estria Foundation
Founded in 2010 by graffiti legend Estria Miyashiro, the Estria Foundation creates art in public spaces locally and globally with artists, educators, and activists in an effort to raise awareness and inspire action in the movement to resolve human and environmental issues. For more information visit www.estria.org
Call for Artists | Inspired Soles Stiletto Shoe Auction
Posted on 3/11/13 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Mother Destroyer by Eric James from Phoenix Tattoo Company.
DPJ’s Wire series delivers news and information straight from the source without translation.
Second Inspired Soles, A stiletto shoe auction to benefit Artlink Phoenix
Back by popular demand among patrons and local artists – it’s the Second Inspired Soles stiletto art show and auction to benefit Artlink. If you’re one of the artists/designers who participated in this show last year, we hope you’ll do it again. If you’re new to this event, just know this was a blockbuster success that generated widespread news coverage and traffic at our gallery’s official grand opening. Artists loved it because it was a packed house, and they made some great new connections with clients.
It’s easy and fun to participate! Just like last year, we’ll provide the stilettos. You provide the inspiration!
What: Inspired Soles – a stiletto art show and auction to benefit Artlink. Throughout the month of April the gallery will showcase stilettos created by local artists, designers and celebrities!
Who: Custom-decorated stilettos are being procured from local designers, artists and celebrities. The show is being produced and promoted by BJC Public Relations and Torres Marquez Communications, two women-owned public relations agencies that really know how to draw a great First Friday crowd. They also share office space in the two levels located above the 6th Avenue Gallery.
- Desert Flower by Colleen-Steinberg.
When: The stilettos will be unveiled and auctioned on April 5, during First Friday in Downtown Phoenix. The stilettos will remain on display throughout the month of April. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Artlink Phoenix, a nonprofit organization dedicated to linking artists, business and the public to better understand, appreciate and promote the thriving arts community in Central Phoenix.
Where: The 6th Avenue Gallery is located on the southwest corner of Sixth Avenue and McKinley, one block south of Roosevelt. The gallery is in the basement level of the building.
A GUIDE FOR PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Here is a step-by-step guide for your participation in the stiletto art show:
____ Order your stiletto shoe by calling BJC Public Relations at (602) 277-9530, x232. If your design requires more than one stiletto, please let us know how many, and we’ll do our best to provide what you need.
____ BJC Public Relations will deliver the shoe to you.
____ Design your stiletto. Enough said!
____ Complete the “Art and Artist Information Form” (ask BJC Public Relations to forward one to you)
____ Return your stiletto and the “Art and Artist Information Form” to:
BJC Public Relations
650 N. 6th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
(602) 277-9530, x232
____ TIP #1: if you ship via FedEx – select the 3-day option – it’s cheaper and often arrives in a day
____ Email or call BJC Public Relations with the TRACKING number of your shipment. Our email is: info@bjc.com
____ Stiletto submissions are due Friday, March 29.
____ TIP #2 (EARLY BIRDS GET THE WORM). If you would like your stiletto art featured in our publicity efforts, we need to have your submission in our hands by March 15. So do yourself a favor, and create your work of art the minute you get inspiration. And be sure to get some home videos of YOU creating your work of art that we can share on our Facebook page.
Images provided by BJC Public Relations.
Call for Artists | Limits
Posted on 12/03/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Call for Artists: Limits
Deadline: January 1, 2013
Notification by: January 15, 2013
Contact: limitexhibit@gmail.com
Location: Bragg’s Pie Factory, Phoenix, AZ
Date: April 2013
Seeking artists who impose restrictions on themselves or others or who choose to continually test and push boundaries conceptually and physically in their work. Like the first polar explorers, ultra-marathoners or Guinness record-breakers, individuals who choose to question boundaries or limitations open themselves up to a risk that many aren’t willing to take, especially now in a culture that is becoming more regulated and monitored due to a heightened sense of fear.
NO limits.
This exhibit will highlight artists who share an adventurous attitude but who, more specifically, feel compelled to test their own limits, the limits of the system they function within or who intentionally impose restrictions on themselves or their participants. Of particular interest are artists using performance, interventions or works that inherently test systems like using the architecture of the internet against itself or functioning on the brink of what is socially acceptable or legal.
This exhibit will be housed in an art space but include relics or documentation of site-specific works created throughout the city and other locations as well as instructional pieces and other ways to engage the audience within the space. Artist does not need to be on-site for the exhibit if their work is instructional, video or has relatively simple set-up. Possible entries/proposals could include but are not limited to: video, projection, intervention, performance, web-based, ephemeral, instructional.
Exhibit will run for one month at the historic Braggs Pie Factory in the Grand Avenue district of Phoenix, AZ. Call to artists is open to any U.S. artist.
Submit for consideration:
- 5-10 images in jpeg format (keep each image under 500K)
- Resume (2 pages max)
- Statement or Proposal
Email to: limitexhibit@gmail.com
Direct questions to Jen Urso at the above email address.
About the curator:
Jen Urso is a multi-disciplinary artist who has curated group and solo exhibits at locations such as the Icehouse, eye lounge and First Backyard. She has exhibited her own work in Arizona, New York, Oregon, Colorado, Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro and published her book the things in between in conjunction with a solo exhibit at Modified Arts in 2011. Jen has been a proponent of the Phoenix arts community for years and looks forward to involving and exhibiting artists from around the country. (She also is a DPJ contributor.)
Call for Artists | Art Detour 25
Posted on 11/30/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
DPJ’s Wire series delivers news and information straight from the source without translation.
Artlink Phoenix seeks an original artwork or artworks for Art Detour 25. The work will be used in a designed format as the basis for the Art Detour 25 poster, postcard and other marketing materials.
This artwork should:
- Create excitement and interest for the community
- Potentially (but not necessarily) honor and commemorate the history of Art Detour.
- Celebrate the artistic community in the downtown Phoenix area.
- Inspire people to remember the past, and to appreciate the cultural legacy that belongs to them and to future generations
The artwork (s) must be a flat work in any medium – but will be represented digitally in all paper and electronic collateral. The original piece will be displayed during Art Detour 25 at the A.E. England gallery. The size of original piece does not matter – it will be represented as a poster, postcard and online in various sizes.
Art Detour 24 art by Jenny Ignaszewski.
The artist may be asked to work with designers to help format the poster, etc. The original artwork will remain the property of the artist.
Eligibility: Any artist currently living and working in Arizona.
Deadline for submissions: December 15, 2012
Digital representations must reach the Artlink board via email or flash drive. The work will be chosen and the announcement made on December 31, 2012.
The Artlink board reserves the right to change the project timeline.
How to Apply
Artists interested in this project must prepare and submit the following:
- A digital representation of the piece. No larger than 1 MB. This should be a JPG, TIFF. PDF or PNG file. Submission files will not be returned.
- A note with current contact info.
- A maximum of three works.
- Titles, dates of completion, materials used in the original work, any other background information deemed necessary.
Please submit all materials to: nancy@artlinkphoenix.com
