News

The work of Yinka Shonibare, whose exhibition by the Barnes Foundation is made possible by this year's Pew awards. — The work of Yinka Shonibare, whose exhibition by the Barnes Foundation is made possible by this year’s Pew awards. Yinka Shonibare,*Space Walk*, 2002. In collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM), Philadelphia.

This week, the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage announced awards of over $6.5 million for 52 upcoming projects by local cultural organizations, from small galleries to major institutions, as well as fellowships of $60,000 each to 13 regional artists, including one collaborative team. Three of the 2013 grantees are particularly noteworthy: 1. In spring 2014, the Barnes Foundation is organizing the first major Philadelphia exhibition for Nigerian-born, London-based artist Yinka Shonibare. An exciting move for the Barnes – this is their first collaboration with a contemporary artist, and its first commission of a new work of art since Henri Matisse’s La Danse II all the way back in 1932. 2. The Mural Arts Program, teaming up with Berlin-based artist Katharina Grosse, is illuminating a desolate section of the Northeast Corridor train line with a series of vibrant public artworks. 3. Rick Lowe of Houston’s Project Row Houses is working with Asian Arts Initiative on a revitalization project, transforming Pearl Street, in Chinatown North neighborhood through workshops and design sessions with community stakeholders and local residents. All of the award recipients should be immensely proud – we know we can’t wait to see the vast effects of this year’s awards!

A big goodbye for the Philly arts community: Tom Kaiden is stepping down as President of the Cultural Alliance, effective July 26. He’ll be joining the Alexandria (Virginia) Convention and Visitors Association as their Chief Operating Officer. Looking back on his tenure at the Cultural Alliance, we’ve got lots to look back on fondly – the launch of Phillyfunguide, Funsavers and Audience Analytics, the publications of the Portfolio, Prosperity and Research Into Action reports, the defeat of the arts tax, protection of the percent for art program and the re-establishment of the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. Not too shabby! His successor, Michael Norris is V.P. of External Relations, and is now stepping up to serve as the interim Executive Director while the board’s Search and Transition Committee conducts a national search for the next president.

Light ten candles for Studio Incamminati: they’re celebrating their tenth anniversary with an exhibition and sale of more than 75 works from their artists, including Founder and Artistic Director Nelson Shanks. There’s a public preview on Friday, June 28 from 6:30–8:30 PM, and the exhibition continues June 29–July 3, 2013 at Historic Freeman’s Auctioneers & Appraisers. The exhibiting artists are Monica Bean, Alisyn Blake, Joshua Breslin, Lis Dembling, Daryl Burkhard, Dennis Childs, Joseph Dolderer, Kerry Dunn, Stephen Early, Jason Espey, Shira Friedman, Robin Frey, Carolyn Gabbe, Rob Goodman, Anne E. Hall, Katya Held, Natalie Italiano, Peter Kelsey, Darren Kingsley, Barbara Lewis, JaFang Lu, Daniel Mahlman, Aerin McGrath, Ruth Miller, Barbara Moquin, Christopher Nixon, Mary Orr, Yoni Park, Diane Rappisi, Mitsuno Reedy, Christina Rose, Adele Sakoda, Kate Savage, Liora Seltzer, Leona Shanks, Nelson Shanks, Sakiko Shinkai, Judith St. Ledger-Roty, Rebecca Tait , Caroline Weitzman, Lea Colie Wight, Noli Wister, and Barbara Zanelli.

Center For Emerging Visual Artists have announced the recipients of their 2-year long 2013 Visual Artists Fellowship. The fellows receive a $4,000 stipend over the 2-year Fellowship for their projects. The winners are:

Jeanne Jaffe

Sun Young Kang

Jeanine Thwing

The following artists will receive a wide range of program benefits and customized support of their artistic practice:

Jake Beckman

Lauren Boilini

Nick Cassway

Talia Green

Bradley Litwin

Nadia Sablin

Congratulations to all!

DesignPhiladelphia is on the move! They’re relocating from the University of the Arts to the Center for Architecture of the American Institute of Architects’ Philadelphia chapter. Beginning June 10, Hilary Jay combines her executive director role with the title of director of the Center. The University of the Arts has been the home of DesignPhiladelphia since 2010, serving as its presenting partner for the past three years; the Center for Architecture is now assuming that role.

Bruce Hoffman and Amy Orr have decided not to continue organizing FiberPhiladelphia, but don’t get too upset – in lieu of organizing this yearly event, they’re forming a new group called the Philadelphia Fiber Coalition. Both Bruce and Amy have lots going on as well, with Amy working on commissions, creating new work, participating in exhibitions and art projects here and elsewhere, and Bruce serving as Gallery Director at Gravers Lane Gallery in Chestnut Hill, where Amy currently has work up. Although we enjoyed Fiber Philly and are sorry there won’t be another one, hearing that Bruce and Amy are busy and working together is the next best thing.

One last goodbye for now – we promise! After a glorious twenty-two years in Old City, Philadelphia, Artists’ House Gallery, under the ownership of its founder and director, Lorraine Riesenbach, is closing its doors at the end of this August. Leaving behind a history with over 200 exhibits and 700 artists, primarily from the Philadelphia area, Artists’ House is hosting a last hurrah in the form of a Retirement Exhibit, opening on Friday, July 5 and continuing to Sunday, August 25. Their final First Friday begins July 5 from 5 – 8:30 PM, and a special reception on Sunday, July 7, 1-4 PM.

Opportunities

The American Academy in Rome is accepting applications for the Rome Prize, which includes housing and a stipend for fellowships of six or eleven months. This prize is annually awarded to thirty emerging artists and mid-career arts/humanities scholars, working in architecture, design, historic preservation and conservation, landscape architecture, literature, musical composition, visual arts, ancient studies, medieval studies, Renaissance and Early Modern studies, and Modern Italian studies.. Applicants must be United States citizens at the time of the application. U.S citizens and those foreign nationals who have lived in the U.S. for three years immediately preceding the application deadline may apply for an NEH postdoctoral fellowship. Graduate students in the humanities may apply only for pre-doctoral fellowships, previous winners of the Rome Prize are not eligible to re-apply, and undergraduate students are not eligible for Rome Prize fellowships. The program requires an application fee of $30 for one application, and $40 for two or more applications.Their deadline is November 1, 2013. Late applications are accepted between November 2 and November 15 for a fee of $65 for one application, and $75 for two or more applications. There is no application fee for those applying solely for NEH postdoctoral fellowships.

The Philadelphia Sketch Club is now accepting submissions for the PHOTOgraphy 2013 exhibition. Act fast if you plan on entering: the drop off dates are June 28 and 29. You can enter up to 3 pieces utilizing any photographic process, traditional or digital, black & white or color. The show runs from July 5- 20. For details, the prospectus is on their site.

Artist News

Recent work by Njideka Akunyili, Something Split and New, 2013. — Recent work by Njideka Akunyili, Something Split and New,
2013.

Njideka Akunyili is among the participants in Cinematic Visions: Painting at the Edge of Reality at Victoria Miro Gallery in London. Curated by Isaac Julien, Glenn Scott Wright and James Franco (because why not), the show runs June 8-August 3.

Akunyili, along with Abigail DeVille and Jacolby Satterwhite, is also exhibiting in Bronx Calling: The Second Bronx Biennial at the Bronx Museum. Held from June 23-September 8, the opening reception is June 23, 2 – 5 pm.