Join us tomorrow evening, Thursday, September 17 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for the opening reception to our show “Pastel Creations” that runs until November 1, 2009 at the Chapel Hill Museum.
Chapel Hill Museum
523 E. Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC
(919) 967-1400
Richard McKinley recently posted on his blog about a new pastel surface he was introduced to by the folks at Dakota Art Pastels. Click on the link for his take and more information on ordering this paper.
We hope to see all PSNC members and supporters this Friday, July 10 from 6-9pm at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro, NC for the opening reception of “A Southern Summer With the Pastel Society of North Carolina.”
There will be tasty food, great wine, and a talented piano player, plus the reception takes place during the 2nd Friday Art Walk, so there will be lots of people stopping by to enjoy our society’s great work!
Richard McKinley shares some tips on where to set up and how to position your easel when plein air painting for the best painting experience.
“With the advent of nice weather, many of us find ourselves back out under the sun attempting to capture a bit of the fleeting light. A couple of weeks ago, after the International Association of Pastel Societies convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I was able to paint again in the beautiful northern New Mexico high desert. With its clarity of color and diversity of textures, I was reminded of why it has inspired so many artists over the years. While painting there, I was also reminded of one of most irritating issues of working en plein air: the intensity of surrounding light and how it affects the appearance of our paintings.”
PSNC is looking for 3-5 member artists willing to paint on site Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 for our “Pastels & Petals” all floral show during the NC State Florists Association Annual Convention at the Greensboro Embassy Suites Hotel.
All work will be donated to the NCSFA’s auction on Sunday. This will be to promote PSNC, and the auction raises money for floral education (design school).
Not a member? Download the application and join us for great programs and artist opportunities!
One attendee put together this YouTube video featuring photo stills and video from the conference in Albuquerque last month. That paint around looked a little crowded!
Dakota Art Pastels is having a sale on the Wallis Art Boards, visit their website for more information.
Mixed 3-packs of Dakota Wallis Boards
(one each of Professional, Belgian Grey and Museum)
3 Boards: 10″ x 13″; Coated: 9″ x 12″; sale price $13.95 (regular price $19)
3 Boards: 13″ x 19″; Coated: 12″ x 18″; sale price $23.95 (regular price $29)
CALL FOR ARTISTS to participate in Kimberly Alvis Presents “Open Sky Art – An Event, An Exhibit.” Chapel Hill artist Kimberly Alvis will host an “en plein air” painting session in her gardens on Sunday, June 7. An exhibit of completed works will be mounted later that day in a University Mall in Chapel Hill and remain up through July 12.
Joe Rowand of Somerhill Gallery in Durham will select First, Second and Third place winners, with a cash prize going to the First Place winner. Artists must register to participate. Registration forms are available at www.alvisart.com. For more information, call or email Kim Weiss at blueplate pr, (919) 272-8615.
There will be an informational meeting at 1pm tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20 at 109 East Franklin Street regarding the possible development of an artists’ co-op in downtown Chapel Hill.
BY DANIEL GOLDBERG : The Herald-Sun
dgoldberg@heraldsun.com
May 15, 2009
Backers of arts look at working studio idea
CHAPEL HILL — Ideas for a working art space in downtown have bounced around for years, according to Martha Shannon, coordinator for the Orange County Arts Commission.
Supporters of the arts, tourism and economic development want to find out if the concept is ready to move beyond the idea stage and onto something that will boost the profile of both the artists and Franklin Street.
Local artists and other interested individuals will meet Wednesday at 109 E. Franklin Street — next to the new Clothing Warehouse — to discuss possible models for an art location in Orange County’s most well-known business district. Shannon said the first step is determining whether the local arts community will support what is envisioned as an artist-run cooperative, a downtown attraction that could feature both a commercial gallery component and acting working space for members.
“I think there is a lot of interest out there and there certainly has been over the years,” Shannon said. She pointed to the annual Orange County Artists Guild Open Studio Tour that has experienced steadily increasing interest since 1995.
A centrally located co-op would provide artists with a boost in exposure and make it easier for visitors to experience local works. Laurie Paolicelli, executive director of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, said that in the past art supporters have given tourists a map to studio locations in the rural parts of Orange County. In terms of accessibility, “that’s a tourism no-no,” she said.
“I’ve always been attracted to the idea of an arts co-op because there’s such a natural zone there between the Ackland Art Museum, Kidzu and the Morehead Planetarium,” Paolicelli said. “It seems like such a natural zone that we don’t promote enough.”
Meeting planners haven’t settled on a specific proposal for an arts co-op. Town Economic Development Officer Dwight Bassett said there are several examples of successful art spaces — The Hands Gallery in Boone, the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Va. — that Chapel Hill may explore. Some co-ops encourage local artists to become members and then give them access to public work space, sales opportunities and even require a commitment to help staff the facility.
Two artists from The Hands Gallery will attend Wednesday’s meeting and present details regarding the operation of that particular facility. Shannon encouraged people planning to attend the meeting to contact her at 245-2335. The meeting is scheduled to last from 1pm to 2:30pm.
From the Pastel Society of America,
Claudia Seymour, PSA Signature member and President of the Salmagundi Club, NYC, has announced that Mrs. Flora B. Giffuni, founder of the Pastel Society of America, advisor in the founding of over thirty pastel societies, and patron of the Flora B. Giffuni Gallery for Pastels at the Butler Institute for American Art, will receive the Salmagundi Medal of Honor at the club’s President’s Dinner on April 23rd. This is the highest honor the 138 year-old artists’ club bestows upon an artist.
Rae Smith, President of PSA, Jimmy Wright, PSA treasurer and O. Aldon James, President of The National Arts Club, will give tribute to Flora at the dinner. Salmagundi President Claudia Seymour will present the Medal on behalf of the club’s Board of Directors and membership.
Flora is the person who introduced pastel to contemporary America. Artists, collectors, art material manufacturers, and publishers owe her a debt of gratitude for her non-wavering enthusiasm and generosity to the pastel community.
This year will mark a milestone birthday for Flora (90!). Though you may never have met Flora Giffuni, and if you are so moved, you can write her a note of congratulations on receiving this honor, care of the Pastel Society of America, 15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003.
(painting of Flora B. Giffuni by Joe Hing Lowe)
The Orange County Arts Commission presents an Artists’ Salon on Friday, February 27 from 6:30-9pm at the West End Theatre at The ArtsCenter (300-G East Main St.) in Carrboro. Free for artists of all disciplines.
Panelists: Sarah Powers (Visual Art Exchange) and Michelle Lyon (Knockabout) in Raleigh’s City Market.
Planning to attend? RSVP to arts@co.orange.nc.us or (919) 245-2335.
Call for Artists – The Fine Arts League of Cary is seeking entries for its 15th Annual Juried Art Exhibition to be held from May 8th to June 27th, 2009 at Hope Community Church (821 Buck Jones Rd) in Raleigh.
Show awards and purchase awards will total over $5,000. Changes for 2009: Entries can only be sent in electronically via CD. The postmark deadline for the mail-in registration is March 27, 2009.
Full details and a printable prospectus are available online at the Fine Arts League of Cary website or by calling Kathryn Cook at (919) 345-0681.
Call for Artists, FedEx Global Education Center Exhibitions
CONTACT: Laura Griest, (919) 962-0318
The FedEx Global Education Center (GEC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is now accepting proposals from artists wishing to display work in the Center during the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 academic years. Proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed by the Art Committee which meets quarterly.
Proposals should be submitted via mail to FedEx Global Education Center, Laura Griest, Campus Box 3268,
Chapel Hill, NC 27599 or hand delivered to the Center located at 301 Pittsboro Street (corner of Pittsboro & McCauley Streets). The committee consists of representatives from the Global Education Center who are dedicated to global education through the arts.
The FedEx Global Education Center Art Committee considers display submissions in accordance with the following priorities:
All artists must submit the following to be considered:
Building Information:
The gallery space within the GEC is housed on three levels and contains approximately 12 to 14 linear feet on each of the five walls in the space (one wall on the first floor and two walls on the second and third floors). Most exhibitions should utilize all three levels of the gallery space, but exhibitors may share gallery space on some occasions. Glass display cases (approximately 11.5’W x 8.5’H x 18”D) containing maple pedestals (14” squared, 2 in each height – 2’, 3’, and 4’) in the Center’s atrium may also be used to highlight 3-D work.
Artists may provide contact information for those wishing to purchase artwork, but prices cannot be listed.
The Global Education Center cannot be responsible for the security of artwork, though some pieces may be covered by the University’s fine arts policy.
Exhibitions typically show an average of one to three months.
DESCRIPTION: The Public Art Office of the Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina seeks qualifications from artists and/or artist teams to collaborate with students, instructors and the administration of Ephesus Elementary School to create an artwork for the school during the fall of 2008.
ELIGIBILITY: Open to all artists and artist teams in North Carolina. Artists and teams may specialize in multiple disciplines and media. Artists residing in Orange County and surrounding counties are encouraged to apply. Artists should have experience working in a residency situation and/or the ability to communicate with students or community groups.
PROJECT BUDGET: $3,000 artist honoraria and up to $500.00 for supplies
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: September 30, 2008
Local and regional artists and teams are invited to apply for the fall 2008 Artists@Work residency at Ephesus Road Elementary School in Chapel Hill. The selected artist/team will plan the in-school residency (between 9 – 12 sessions) and lead 4th or 5th grade students (three separate classes of 22-24 students) in the creation of a collaborative artwork. The selected artist/team must provide a practical classroom/workshop experience for students, which engages them in art production. The experience should build teamwork, students’ problem-solving skills, and confidence in their artistic abilities, stimulate creativity, and teach decision-making related to the production of a public work of art. The art instructor and parent volunteers will assist the artist/team with maintaining classroom discipline and project coordination.
The residency will take place in early November. The selected artist/team will propose an artwork that, in theme or materials, addresses literacy, the fun of reading and learning, and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Chapel Hill Public Library and the 100th anniversary of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools. The selected artist/team will participate in a preparatory meeting with Public Arts staff, members of the Public Arts Commission, school staff and parent docents. The selected artist/team will work with the Ephesus art instructor and volunteer parent docents to engage students in this project for approximately 9 – 12 instructional sessions (usually over a two-week period). The selected artist/team is responsible for completing and installing the artwork as proposed. The completed artwork may be temporarily displayed at the Chapel Hill Public Library during its 50th Anniversary celebration and then permanently installed at Ephesus Elementary School. Assistance and some funds will be provided for installation if applicable.
SELECTION PROCESS: An Artist Selection Committee comprised of representatives of Ephesus Elementary School, the Chapel Hill Public Library, the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, and the Town’s Public Arts Office will invite three finalists from the applicant pool to each submit a proposal according to provided specifications. Each finalist will be paid a $250.00 stipend for a proposal presentation. After these proposals are reviewed one artist/team will be selected to lead the fall 2008 Artists@Work program.
HOW TO APPLY: Artists and teams may send a compact disc containing application materials through the post to Jeffrey York (address provided below) or in a .zip file sent to chapelhillarts@gmail.com.
Each application must include:
SCHEDULE FOR ARTIST SELECTION (subject to change):
September 30, 2008: Deadline for Electronic Application Materials
October 6, 2008: Artist Recommendation Committee invites Finalists to present Proposals.
October 22, 2008: Finalists’ Proposal Presentations
October 24, 2008: Artist/team Selected
November 2008: Artist/team leads program at Ephesus Elementary
2008/2009: Artwork on display at Chapel Hill Public Library
2009: Artwork permanently installed at Ephesus Elementary School
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: To learn more about the previous Artists@Work programs, please visit http://www.chapelhillarts.org/programs_residence_ov.php. If you have questions or need any additional information please contact the Town of Chapel Hill Public Arts Office: Jeffrey J. York, Chapel Hill Public Arts Administrator, 919-968-2750.
