Seattle Art Blog - News, Discussion, and Events

Yesterday I received a press release from the Greg Kucera Gallery about a show opening in April. The words so impressed me that I asked Greg if I could reproduce it in its entirety. What he says is so very true for our art community here and all across this country. Below is the press release:

“As Americans, and as consumers, we are confronted every day with purchasing decisions about what to buy and where to spend our hard-earned money. We notice with dismay that so few of the products we buy in our stores are made in this country. We’re well aware that very little manufacturing is done here any longer. Our raw resources are often shipped elsewhere to become products from other countries. Even our very jobs are often outsourced in favor of cheaper labor elsewhere. All of this weighs heavy on our collective conscience.

At the same time we are exhorted by the media to “buy local!” To “reduce our carbon footprints.” To “think green!” And we are bombarded with buzzwords like “sustainable” and “globalization.”

It occurs to us that Seattle’s galleries, all of which are small businesses, provide American-made goods and products of exceptional value and quality. “Made in the U.S.A.,” the group show we have curated this month, is an example of that American ideal. Not as some jingoistic expression of xenophobia, but as a celebration of this country and all it can achieve.

While none of the artists represented in this exhibition were asked to create work about or referencing the idea of American made, all of these artists are making their work here in their own studios, often employing local assistants, nearby fabricators and other artists in their production. They are using materials that are bought here and sometimes made here as well. These artists are part of a complex food chain of very small increments but they represent the continuation of a long held American tradition, emblematically referred to as “Made in U.S.A.”

This gallery employs four full-time staff members, our Gallery Frames shop has three employees, and our resale business, Seattle ArtREsource, has one more. A total payroll of ten including its owners. We have not sent any of their jobs overseas, nor do we plan to. Neither do we maintain an offshore banking account.

No big deal. We’re just saying.

We hope that you will join us as we support and celebrate these American artists.”

Sincerely,
Greg Kucera
G R E G K U C E R A G A L L E R Y , I N C .
212 Third Avenue South Seattle WA 98104.2608 t: 206.624.0770

Since we can all use some good news from the art world, I’m printing the entire press release I just received from Artist Trust:

“Artist Trust’s 2010 Benefit Art Auction on February 20 was extraordinary for two reasons: During a night of palpable appreciation for the creative vitality of individual artists, the annual Benefit Art Auction raised over $315,000—the highest amount in Artist Trust’s 23-year history. All net proceeds from the Auction support Artist Trust’s grants, resources and career training for artists of all disciplines throughout Washington.

Works by renowned artists like Northwest master painters Mark Tobey and William Cumming, and iconic photographers Mary Randlett and Imogen Cunningham were the hot favorites amongst the audience of nearly 500 art aficionados and artists. The highest bid of the night was for Freedom Space (2008) donated by Seattle abstract artist, Alan Fulle, represented by the Traver Gallery. The large, vibrant painting sold for $5,000 in a flurry of bidding conducted by auctioneer Laura Michalek. The evening was magically infused with performances by Artist Trust Fellowship recipient Lucia Neare and her Theatrical Wonders.

The climax of the night came when Artist Trust Board Chair William Rava and Executive Director Fidelma McGinn announced that, with a gift from The Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation, Artist Trust will administer a major new individual artist award. This $150,000 three-year commitment will allow two generative artists to be selected per year, each receiving a $25,000 Arts Innovator award to support their work. Artists of all creative disciplines will be eligible for consideration. A panel of adjudicators will determine the final recipients through a state-wide nomination process. Details of the nomination process and timeline will be announced in March and available online at www.artisttrust.org.”

Wall Space Gallery, 600 First Avenue, Suite 623 in Seattle, wants to do its part to help support the people of Haiti. Photographer, Jeff Antebi’s photo from the Haitian slum of Cite Soleil is currently part of the “New Directions 2010” exhibition and is available for purchase with ALL PROCEEDS being donated to Doctors Without Borders and OxFam. The gallery will send the Cite Soleil photo in return for any donation but is asking for a minimum of $25 to help with medical supplies and food. Contact the gallery or make a donation here. Gallery owner, Crista Dix, and Jeff Antebi have also  provided a list of other places where you can contribute if you don’t want to donate through the gallery. They are:

Text Haiti to 90999 to instantly donate $10.
Give directly to the American Red Cross
Give directly to Doctors Without Borders or OxFam
MSNBC has a list of relief organizations on their website.

Art! for Animals’ Sake is a great organization that collaborates with artists to create exhibitions, offer limited edition artist prints and produce events to raise money for animals in need. The shelters are overflowing this year with abandoned animals whose former owners can no longer afford to care for them. If you’re an animal lover like me, go to this web site and take a look at the good work they do.

Everyone who knew this delightful woman loved her, and I’m no exception. Port Townsend’s art community will miss her and the Max Grover Gallery, her friends will miss her funny sense of humor, and all of us will miss her gusto for life. She was an incredible inspiration as she fought to live but even more so as she finally accepted the reality of her battle and prepared her friends to live without her. RIP dear Sherry.

Think of the print edition of  Art Guide Northwest as the yellow pages of art galleries and museums, because that is exactly what it is. Found in our City Directories is a complete list of every single art gallery and museum in Western Washington with their addresses and phone numbers. Galleries with lengthier listings are paid supporters of Art Guide Northwest, so pay special attention to those special galleries and museums. On page 16 is an article written by Matthew Kangas about the Tacoma Art Museum’s 75th anniversary and the accompanying exhibitions. I have written an article on page 26 covering most of the museum exhibits around Puget Sound during the next year, and, as usual, we have a lengthy Calendar of Art Events to help  you find the many gallery walks, fundraisers and art festivals during the coming year. The print edition of the November 2009 – November 2010 issue of Art Guide Northwest is now out and in the gallery or museum near you. If you don’t want to  leave your computer, you can download a pdf of the entire issue by clicking on the cover page at the left. Enjoy!

Now here’s a community that is most serious about their arts funding!  Their press release says, “If you (or your kids) have ever visited the Historical Museum, attended a play at BPA, played at the Kids Discovery Museum, bought a work of art at BAC, taken music lessons at IMG, listened to a concert, musical, or poetry reading, please come to the Rally for the Arts. The Cultural Element of our city’s Comprehensive Plan is truly at risk. Bring your kids, bring your neighbors, and bring your friends to prove to the City Council that Bainbridge values our cultural organizations.  Wear RED to show you care about the health of Bainbridge Arts and Culture.” All who are interested should be in front of City Hall on November 23 from 6:15-7pm.

Deon Matzen, a painting and drawing instruction at the Skagit Valley College on Whidbey Island, is among the winners of the “21 over 31 competition” for artists over 60 years old, conducted by Southwest Art Magazine. Among thousands of entries, Matzen was one of the 21 chosen with her entry “Diamond T Tanker II.” In November, Ms. Matzen will have a show featuring her series of old trucks at the Gallery-by-the-Bay in Stanwood, Washington and a show of old rural architecture at the  Whidbey Pies at the Greenbank Farm Gallery in Greenbank.

Day after day I post your exhibits on this web site and am happy to do so at no charge. Art Guide Northwest , helps to make it possible. Please consider buying a map listing in Art Guide Northwest. It will only cost you $240 for the entire year. Email Brenda Tipton at btipton@artguidenw.com.

4Culture, the cultural  development agency for King County, announced $250,000 in federal stimulus funds to help preserve local arts jobs at 40 arts and cultural organizations. Among the organizations receiving funds are the Bellevue Art Museum, The Attic Theatre in Bothell, The Burien Arts Commission, Kirkland Art Center, Fall City Arts, Arcade Magazine (NW Architectural League), Arts and Visually Impaired Audiences, Degenerate Art Ensemble, Town Hall, ArtsWest, Langston Hughes, Northwest Film Forum, Seattle International Film Festival, and Giant Magnet: For a complete list of 4Culture funded groups visit: www.4culture.org/arts/saveartjobs/awards.htm

PONCHO recently announced that their annual  Artist of the Year Award goes to Seattle artist and community activist Judith Kindler for the year 2009. Kindler is a multidisciplinary artist working in sculpture, installation, photography, and photo-based work embedded in encaustic.  Her past awards include serving as Master Artist at Pratt Fine Arts as well as a PONCHO Merit Award for Excellence. Her art can be found in many major collections, both public and private, and she exhibits her work through:  Gail Severn Gallery in Ketchum, Idaho, Gebert Contemporary Gallery in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Melissa Morgan Fine Art in Palm Desert, Forre and Co. Fine Art in Aspen, and Daniel Kany Gallery in Portland, Maine. Kindler’s art may also be seen on her web site at http://www.judithkindler.com.

Eugene, Oregon resident, Josh Faught, has been selected by the Betty Bowen Committee to receive the 31st annual Betty Bowen Award for $15,000 and an exhibit of his work at the Seattle Art Museum beginning in October. Secondary winners Jenny Heishman, who was awarded the PONCHO Special Recognition Award for $2,500 and Matthew Offenbacher, who was selected to receive the Kayla Skinner Special Recognition Award in the amount of $2,500, were also announced. Five finalists chosen from a pool of 494 applicants from Washington, Oregon and Idaho, including Sean Johnson
and Jovencio de la Paz, competed for the $20,000 in prizes. The winners will receive the awards and discuss their work at a special ceremony on Friday, October 23, from 6-7pm in the Plestcheeff Auditorium at SAM downtown with a reception following from 7-8pm in SAM’s Arnold Board Room. Both the ceremony and reception are free and open to the public. Shown: John Faught, Endless Night.

I just received an email this morning from Eric Midby, volunteer coordinator for  PONCHO, saying that they need volunteers for the upcoming International Fine Art Auction on October 3 at the Sheraton Seattle. In light of the current economy, PONCHO has decided that this year it will not require the normal volunteer registration fee at the Fine Art Auction. Instead, they ask that those who can donate money to cover the cost of food and drink for the volunteers do so at their discretion.Volunteer training and a free dinner is scheduled for Thursday, September 24 from 6-8pm at the Sheraton. Sign up at http://www.poncho.org/volunteering.shtml or  email any questions to: volunteer@poncho.org.

The stolen multimillion-dollar collection of Andy Warhol’s art from noted collector Richard Weisman’s home  in Los Angeles is a source of great interest in the art world, as well  it should be for such valuable art. Apparently the Warhol collection was reported stolen from his Los Angeles home last week. The owner, Richard Weisman, also has a Seattle connection. Weisman is a resident of The Highlands, a private neighborhood to the north of Seattle.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “The former investment banker comes from a renowned family of collectors. His parents, Frederick and Marcia, were important figures in art circles, amassing a significant collection that centered on works by post-World War II artists. The younger Weisman was friends with Warhol and commissioned the square, brightly colored silk screen paintings of famous athletes in the late 1970s -- a period when Warhol produced hundreds of works for wealthy patrons able to pay the large sums the artist charged.”

The deadline is September 20 to be in a special 2010 edition of Art Guide Northwest. Make sure you have a map listing at the very least. We are planning a special distribution for the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Don’t miss out! Call 206.367.6831 to be included or email me at btipton@artguidenw.com.