Arts+Culture North Texas

John Albok: “Clothesline” at PDNB

“If you grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the 1940’s like myself, you were accustomed to the visual spectacle of clotheslines filled with various towels, sheets and garments. Washers and dryers were a luxury only a few could afford.” Said Burt Finger, PDNB Gallery Curator.

These impressive vintage photographs by New York photographer, John Albok, were selected as a testament to his eye and his search for art in the most common places of the densely populated city of New York.

This subject matter was not approached as a typology as Karl Blossfelt did with his plant studies. Mr. Albok’s purpose was to document his world around him in a poetic, human way.

One of the photographs (no. 9026) appears dark and eerie.
While most of these images have a lively urban message, this one has a unique character, very moody and isolated. It illustrates that one can be alone in a city of millions. But perhaps Mr. Albok approached this as a composition of abstract design. The silhouette of the buildings is used to draw your attention to the many horizontal lines crisscrossing the sky along with the various vertical and horizontal lines of the telephone antennas and stairway, much like a Piet Mondrian painting.

The color photograph (no. 7407) is a small 4 x 4 inch treasure. It illustrates that Mr. Albok experimented throughout his career. The element of color works to bring more drama to the courtyard, which is really an airshaft. His use of color was rare, but when you group these images together you can see why this is a great find. Although the subject is the same, he found an alternative way to romanticize the common icons of his day, just as the modernist photographer, Joseph Sudek, transformed everyday objects into sublime work of art.

There are a couple of images that seem absent of clotheslines. In 1939 Mr. Albok documented the World’s Fair. You can see the memorable Trylon and Perisphere (no. 9405) in the background of this particular image, but hidden in the center of this photograph is a single clothesline. His purpose of taking this photograph was most likely not to point out the clothesline but to show the nearby presence of the nearby icons that had represented high hopes for the future during the Great Depression.

Throughout most of his life his photographs were taken just outside his tailor shop and home on Madison Avenue bordering Spanish Harlem. In several of these photographs you will see his “backyard”. This of course is an airshaft designed to provide air circulation through each apartment.

These vintage photographs have the power to bring you back in time to a more simple life. Although the notion of “simple” is relative, the nostalgic appeal remains. One can see and hear the activity of the street and view the women stringing out and pulling in the clotheslines, people chattering in their apartments with windows open, something is cooking on the stove and kids are playing outside in the streets. This simple clothesline gives ample meaning to Mr. Albok’s common democratic theme for humanity.

 

15th Annual Young Masters Exhibition at DMA

Exhibition features fifty-six works from local Advanced Placement Studio Art,Art History, and Music Theory students

The O’Donnell Foundation announces the fifteenth annual Young Masters exhibition on view December 22, 2012, through February 17, 2013, at the Dallas Museum of Art in the Concourse. The exhibition features selected works created by Advanced Placement® Studio Art, Art History, and Music Theory students from twelve Dallas-area high schools participating in the O’Donnell Foundation’s Create Schools of Excellence in Fine Arts Incentive Program™.

The 2013 Young Masters exhibition will include original 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional works of art by AP Studio Art students, original essays in response to works in the Dallas Museum of Art’s collection by AP Art History students, and original four-minute music compositions by AP Music Theory students. This integration of all three disciplines reinforces both the interconnectedness of the arts and the mission of the O’Donnell Foundation’s incentive program, Create Schools of Excellence in Fine Arts Education.

“The Young Masters exhibition highlights the artistic talent and creativity of these young students, whose skills have been cultivated and developed through hard work with experienced AP teachers,” remarked Edith O’Donnell, who founded the program in 1994. “Studying art and music theory gives students valuable skills such as critical thinking and innovation, which lead them to develop inquiring minds and a love of learning. Many will go on to outstanding colleges where they will become inspired to study world cultures and broaden their interests to pursue careers in the arts, medicine, technology, law, and education.”

This year, 620 works by AP Fine Arts students were submitted for consideration for the exhibition. From those submissions, 56 pieces were selected by a panel of respected judges for inclusion in this year’s Young Masters exhibition.

Incentive program schools with students represented in the exhibition are Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA), Coppell High School, Creekview High School, J. J. Pearce High School, Lake Highlands High School, Lovejoy High School, McKinney Boyd High School, Newman Smith High School, Plano East Senior High School, Plano Senior High School, Plano West Senior High School, and Richardson High School. (A complete list of the students participating in this year’s exhibition is attached.)

On Tuesday, February 5, a private reception and awards ceremony will be held at the Dallas Museum of Art for the artists, their families, and the teachers. Dr. Maxwell L. Anderson, The Eugene McDermott Director at the Dallas Museum of Art, will serve as the ceremony’s guest speaker. Following remarks, program award winners will be announced to include First Place, Second Place, Third Place, and Honorable Mentions.

Admission to the Young Masters exhibition in the DMA’s Concourse is free to the public; general admission is required to visit the Museum galleries through January 20, 2013. The DMA will return to free general admission, as well as launch their DMA Friends & Partners program, on Monday, January 21. For more information about the Young Masters exhibition, visit www.apstrategiesarts.org. For general information on visiting the Dallas Museum of Art, visit DMA.org or call 214-922-1803.

Dallas Museum of Art Announces Inaugural Art Ball Graduate Student Prize

Dallas Art Fair to Sponsor Prize as Part of Art Ball 2013

The Dallas Museum of Art has announced the inaugural DMA Art Ball Graduate Student Prize, sponsored by the Dallas Art Fair. The prize, which will be given this year to between five and seven recipients, aims at recognizing exceptionally talented visual artists—of any age—who are currently enrolled in graduate programs throughout Texas.

The DMA Art Ball Graduate Student Prize award recipients will be selected by a jury committee composed of the following noted arts professionals: Maxwell L. Anderson (The Eugene McDermott Director, DMA), Frances Colpitt (Deedie Potter Rose Chair of Art History, TCU), Annette Lawrence (Professor, UNT), Gabriel Ritter (The Nancy and Tim Hanley Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, DMA), and Jeremy Strick (Director, Nasher Sculpture Center).

The competition will be open to graduate students of any age enrolled in visual arts programs throughout the state of Texas, with the stipulation that they not be formally represented by a commercial gallery or dealer.

A call for entries was recently issued by the DMA, reaching hundreds of university professors and administrators throughout the state. Artists will be requested to submit six work samples, with one identified as the piece he or she would include in the Art Ball silent auction, if selected.

There are limitations on the scale of the works that can be submitted as well as the media. (Editor’s Note: Full details on eligibility and submissions are below, followed by a ling to the entry form.)

From this larger pool, the jury will be charged with selecting five to seven prize winners. Each award recipient will receive a cash award of $1,500. Prize-winning works will be on view at the Art Ball Patron Preview Party, April 3, 2013, and at the opening night of the Dallas Art Fair, April 11, 2013.

“We’re very pleased to offer this prize,” stated Anderson. “Texas is home to a huge number of talented artists, and it’s especially gratifying to support some toward the beginning of their careers.”

Over the past thirteen years, Art Ball has raised more than $18 million to support the Dallas Museum of Art’s mission of engaging and educating the community. The year 2012 was record breaking, raising more than $2 million for the DMA. On April 13, 2013, the 48th annual gala will feature a seated dinner, luxury silent and live auctions, and an after party for more than seven hundred guests. Art Ball attracts many prominent philanthropists and art collectors, including the Museum’s top patrons and trustees. The fundraiser also aligns companies with the DMA’s mission and supports a larger effort to provide special art and educational programming for the entire North Texas community.

“Texas is fortunate to be home to many excellent university art programs, and it is because of the exciting work of many of these students that the state’s vibrant contemporary art scene continues to grow. We want to thank the Dallas Art Fair, which collaborated with us to sponsor this inaugural Art Ball Graduate Student Prize,” said Catherine Rose, on behalf of herself and Jennifer Karol, chairs of Art Ball 2013.

Rules for entry – DMA Art Ball Graduate Student Prize:
Immediate family members of Museum staff or trustees are not eligible to apply. An artist is eligible to win the award only once. Telephone inquiries may be directed to 214-922-1334.

Artists and Art Eligibility
1. Artists must be graduate students (MA, MFA, PhD) of any age enrolled in visual arts programs throughout the state of Texas.
2. Artists must not be formally represented by a commercial gallery or dealer.
3. Eligible mediums include painting, sculpture, works on paper, and photo-based media.
4. Immediate family members of DMA staff or trustees are not eligible to apply.

Application for the DMA Graduate Student Art Ball Prize
Applicants meeting the residency and representation specifications for the prize should submit the following (do NOT staple materials or insert them in binders):

1. Complete application form and image list (use attached form)
2. Submit in CD format no more than six (6) examples of recent work in the form of digital images (in JPEG format, each JPEG not to exceed 2MB). Of these images, note which piece will be donated to the Art Ball auction if you are selected as a prize recipient.
3. Works submitted for display must not exceed the following dimensions or weight:
a. Weight limit: 300 lbs.
b. Dimensions: no larger than 5 x 5 x 5 ft.
4. An up-to-date curriculum vitae
5. Proof of current enrollment in graduate-level (MA, MFA, PhD) visual arts program in the state of Texas. (Copy of valid student ID or other proof of enrollment required.)
6. . All materials must be postmarked by January 7, 2013.
7. Provide self-addressed envelope with adequate postage if you would like your materials returned.
8. The DMA will make delivery arrangements for art that is selected outside of the North Texas region.

Award and Recognition
1. Five to seven artists will be selected.
2. Prize recipients will receive a cash award of $1,500.
3. Prize recipients will donate the artwork selected from their submission to the Art Ball 2013 silent auction.
4. Prior to Art Ball, these works will also be on view at the Art Ball Patron Preview Party and the opening night of the Dallas Art Fair.

Timeline for the DMA Graduate Student Art Ball Prize
1. Application deadline: postmarked by January 7, 2013
2. Prize recipients selected: January 2013
3. Prize recipients notified: late January 2013
4. Selected art on view at Art Ball Patron Preview Party: April 3, 2013
5. Selected art on view at Dallas Art Fair: April 11, 2013
6. Selected art auctioned at DMA Art Ball: April 13, 2013
7. Cash award distributed: April 15, 2013

Entry Form HERE

Black Spurs – A World Premiere Original Jubilee Theatre Musical

A fun family musical about the colorful and diverse history that shaped the Wild West.

In the 1870’s, a young man named Sam Pete Stubblefield sets out to save the family farm by joining one of the last great trail rides up the famous Chisholm Trail.  From Fort Worth, Texas to Dodge City, Kansas these black spurred cowboys share the hardships and happy times of the trail along the way.

Jubilee Theatre proudly presents the World Premiere production of this original musical written by Celeste Bedford Walker, music by Ron Hasley and directed by Tre Garrett, November 24 – December 30, 2012 at Jubilee Theatre, located at 506 Main Street in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

This musical is about acknowledging the true diversity of our local history.  Laughter, love and the bond of friendship keep this cast of crazy characters together on a wild western musical adventure, featuring veteran actor and the “deacon” of Jubilee Theatre – Robert Rouse.

Celeste Bedford Walker is an award-winning playwright whose works have been performed in major venues across the country. She is the recipient of several honors and awards, including being selected as a finalist in the Susan SmithBlackburn Prize, a recognition given to outstanding work by female playwrights in the English speaking theater; theNAACP Image Award for positive portrayal of African-Americans in the media; New York’s Audelco Award; and, she was honored in the Ensemble Theatre’s Salute to Texas Playwrights.

Ron Hasley is the recipient of two NAACP Image Awards for “Best Musical Director” for the productions of Mark Swinton’s ”Ephraim’s Song” in 2002 and “The Gospel Truth”.

Ron has served as Musical Director for the hit Broadway musicals such as, ”Your Arms Too Short To Box With God” with Jennifer Holliday and Stephanie Mills; ”Raisin” starring Peabo Bryson, Lynette Hawkins, Jeffrey Osborne the 1997 National tour of ”The Wiz” with Grace Jones, Cee Cee Pennistion and Tony Terry, and excerpts of Les Miserable, Dreamgirls, and Chorus Line. Also M.D. for The Motown Review Show at the Las Vegas Tropicana Hotel with The Supremes, The Originals, The Contours, Kim Weston and Martha Reeves and The Vandellas.

Preview performances of Black Spurs begin Saturday, November 24. Opening night is Friday, November 30 and performances run through Sunday, December 30. Evening performances are at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Matinee performances are at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices range from $12.00 – $25.00 and may be purchased online at jubileetheatre.org, in person at the theater Box Office, located at 506 Main Street or by calling 817-338-4411. Box Office hours of operation are Tuesday – Friday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and one hour before each performance.

Jubilee Theatre, the Fort Worth / Dallas area’s only African-American theater producing a full season of shows, exists to create and present theatrical works that reflect the African-American experience. Located at 506 Main Street in Sundance Square, downtown Fort Worth, Jubilee Theatre is easily accessible from anywhere in the DFW metroplex.

David Conn at Artspace 111

Two years in the making, Conn’s large-scale paintings depict powerful images of dense forest scenes. Trees and tangled underbrush alternate with dappled or streaming sunlight. Viewed from a distance, the paintings and prints are alive with pictorial clarity. Up close, the surface teems with abstract shapes.

For the past 12 years David Conn has made linocuts of dense forest scenes. In 2010 Conn was selected for two Artist Residences, first at the Marguerite Arp Foundation in Locarno, Switzerland, followed by one at the European Academy of Fine Art, in Trier, Germany.   There he began to experiment with painting on a large scale. Upon his return he continued to experiment, first with gouache on paper. Then he quickly moved to acrylic on canvas. Conn’s acclaimed work has been shown in over 100 exhibitions in the United States, Europe, South and Central America and Japan.

The exhibit will be on show beginning December 7, 2012 from 6 – 8 p.m. and will run through January 26, 2013. Enjoy beer and wine by Ben E Keith. Artspace 111 is free and open to the public.