Candy Coated Wonderland isn’t coming until May, but let the thought of it carry you through the rest of this bone-chilling winter. As only she can, CandyCoated (formerly Candy Depew) is re-interpreting the Museum’s collection of children’s dress costumes with her unique textile art. Held in the Joan Spain Gallery at the Perelman Building from May to November 2013 and curated by Dylis Blum, CandyCoated envisions a storybook narrative, incorporating iconic children’s costumes. And to make the the exhibition’s subjects the focal point, the summer promises a series of educational workshops for youth art making. Among the wild-sounding offerings are bike and helmet customization with diamond stickers and fabric decoupage-ing, as well as poster & t-shirt screen printing. Check out the Spring 2013 Class Schedule to find out the full details.

Last week, the sad memory of “Autumn’s” demise was put to rest, and a much happier moment came to pass: David Guinn put the finishing touches on “Autumn 2: The Reckoning,” as it’s been cheekily dubbed by AroundPhilly’s Chris Lipczynski. Located at Fleisher Art Memorial, it’s as glorious a comeback as you can imagine.

New Jersey, the Rodney Dangerfield of states, finally gets some respect. A new show at the Princeton University Art Museum called “New Jersey as Non-Site,” curated by Kelly Baum and opening in October of this year, takes a comprehensive look at how the Garden State became one of post-war experimental art’s most important bivouacs, attracting figures such as Allan Kaprow, Nancy Holt and George Brecht.

After covering Kara Walker’s controversial drawing of a black female slave having sex with a white man after workers found it upsetting, the Newark Public Library has made a surprising choice to display it again. Understandably, the drawing, in depicting the trauma of the black experience during the Civil War and during reconstruction drew both recriminations and praise; its removal, however, sparked an important conversation between library officials and employees. In an encouraging move, the library plans to invite Walker to speak about the drawing, artistic freedom and the role of black artists in society.

Opportunities

The brilliant folks behind ONWARD have added another segment to their repertoire, and another impetus to apply. The ONWARD Galerie has been launched as a permanent online gallery housing past and present ONWARD Compé photographers, beginning with images from the ONWARD Compé ‘12. Each photographer’s bio and some personal comments about their images are included as the submissions for ONWARD Compé ‘13 come in. It goes without saying that this new site feature, coupled with vigorous tweeting and Facebook-ing, is a pretty smart way to ensure that every ONWARD entrant is seen. Check out their site for submission guidelines.

PhilaMOCA, where cinephilia is a fact of life, is playing a crucial role in the upcoming Cinedelphia Film Festival. From April 6-27, 2013, the CFF’s aim is to celebrate not just past but present films about Philly. PhilaMOCA is on the lookout for art related to film, Philadelphia, or, better yet, a combination of the two. The show runs from Saturday, April 6 through the duration of the Festival and can be viewed during any PhilaMOCA-based Festival screenings. Regrettably, installations/sculpture can’t be considered, due to space limitations. Send digital files or photos of submissions (preferably with links for six or more entries) to curator Eric Bresler at ericbresler@philamoca.org. There is a $20 participation fee per selected piece of artwork and although PhilaMOCA handles all art sales, 100% of sales go to the artist. The deadline for submissions is March 8, 2013. Drop-off times for work, which must be hang-ready, can be scheduled for Monday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 2 from noon – 6 PM and by appointment. If you’re sending pieces by mail, put them in easily re-sealable packaging with return postage included. For questions, contact Eric Bresler.

Artist News

Nancy Agati’s recent works on paper and sewn drawings are included in the 2013 Solo Series at the Abington Art Center. The opening reception is on Sunday, February 3 from 3-5pm and the show, which also features Kathleen Eastwood, and NJ artists Johanna Inman and Laura Petrovich-Cheney, runs through March 30.

via Daniel Heyman – Last November’s Edition/Artist’s Book Print Fair in NYC, which was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy, has been rescheduled for January 25-27. Daniel Heyman and Serena Perrone are displaying work at Cade Tompkins Project’s booth. The fair is located at The Altman Building, 125 West 18th Street, NYC between Sixth and Seventh Avenue., and is open Thursday to Saturday 11 AM to 7 PM, Sunday noon to 5:30 PM. General admission is $15, and a four-day METROPass nets you $30 worth of special museum, shop, and dining offers.

New works by Abigail DeVille and PAFA alumni Njideka Akunyili are now on view at Zidoun Gallery in Luxembourg. The gallery, located at 101 Rue Adolphe Fischer, L-1520 Luxembourg, is host to this show until March 9. Akunyili also recently won an award from the Rema Hort Mann Foundation, who grant annually to New York emerging artists, and her painting I Always Face You, Even Though You Think Otherwise was purchased by PAFA for their permanent collection.

Arch Enemy Arts are exhibiting during Armory Week as part of Fountain NYC. The work they’re showing is on display from March 8–10 at the 69th Regiment Armory, at the corner of Lexington Ave. and 25th Street in Manhattan.