Art 365: read more about the artists' ideas and work

Read more about the Art 365 exhibition in the catalog available online now. Guest Curator Shannon Fitzgerald's essays highlight each artists' work. Also, five of the Oklahoma Art Writing & Curatorial Fellows  wrote essays focused on one of the artists' projects. As well as our excitement about the exhibition, we are pleased with the analysis of the work.  

Art 365 opens July 1 at Living Arts of Tulsa. Join us at the opening reception held July 8, 5-8 pm. Art 365 is sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, George Kaiser Family Foundation, Jean Ann Fausser, Oklahoma Arts Council, Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation, Oklahoma Humanities Council and National Endowment for the Humanities. 

Summer Reading

We’re now deep into the laze of summer and I can already feel the urge to sit back with a cold drink and catch up on some overdue reading. I’ve assembled a selection of books that I have my eye on (or would like to revisit), as well as some blogs I’d suggest adding to your favorites list. For fun, there are also a couple of things you might want to watch or listen to.

Books:
(Click the titles to link to the books on Amazon. By using these links, OVAC will receive a percentage of your sale.)

Seven Days in the Art World by Sarah Thornton
An insider account of the inner workings of the contemporary art world.

Chuck Close: Life by Christopher Finch
A new biography of the artist, chronicling his evolution as a painter.

The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art by Don Thompson
An investigation of the economics and psychology of the contemporary art world.

Talking Prices: Symbolic Meanings of Prices on the Market for Contemporary Art by Olav Velthuis
An economic analysis of how prices are set in the contemporary art market and the tension between art and commerce.

Why Is That Art? Aesthetics and Criticism of Contemporary Art by Terry Barrett
A book addressing common questions viewers raise about contemporary art.

Art & Today by Eleanor Heartney
A comprehensive survey of contemporary art over the past three decades, organized by theme and featuring over 400 artworks.

Drawing is Thinking by Milton Glaser
Based on the idea that all art has its origin in the impulse to create, this book is mostly images of drawings that delineate this idea.

I'd Rather Be in the Studio: The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion by Alyson B. Stanfield
Practical approaches to help you sell more art and build a career that lasts. Also check out her blog at www.ArtBizBlog.com.

The Artist’s Guide to Public Art: How to Find and Win Commissions by Lynn Basa
Written by an artist, for artists, explaining how to start and build a career in public art.

Blogs:
Art:21 Blog: blog.art21.org
Modern Art Notes by Tyler Green: blogs.artinfo.com/modernartnotes
Art in the Public Interest: www.apionline.org

Listen/Watch:
Work of Art: The Next Great Artist on Bravo TV (Oklahoman and former Momentum artist Jaime Lynn is a contestant.)
Tate Podcasts: channel.tate.org.uk/podcasts

This list should be enough to keep us all reading until the end-of-summer cool down. Please share with us what you’re reading or your thoughts on any of the books included here. Happy reading.


Editor's letter from the July/August 2010 issue of Art Focus Oklahoma magazine. Read the full issue online at www.ArtFocusOklahoma.org.

OVAC's Other Blog

Dear Reader,

This is to make sure you know the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition has another blog we encourage you to follow.

The Oklahoma Art Writing & Curatorial Fellowship gives insight into the art world, looking at the intellectual infrastructure and practical aspects of exhibitions, art publications, and scholarship about artists. The public presentations and blog are especially relevant if you want to be more informed about things like how and why artists find critical success, how contemporary art is seen and distributed, and the professional dialogues in the field.

The blog covers profiles, essays and public panel discussions from the the yearlong program. Through the program, each of the twelve Fellows will produce art writing and exhibition projects in mentorship with art world luminaries, and you can read some of their writings on the blog. The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition presents the program in partnership with the University of Oklahoma School of Art & Art History and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. For more background on the program, visit http://www.write-curate-art.org

So, please keep reading here and check out http://write-curate-art.blogspot.com for different topics in art.

Thank you!

Best,
Julia Kirt,
OVAC Executive Director


Cartoon by Sue Clancy, Norman for Art Focus Oklahoma Magazine

Artist and Writer: John Brandenburg

One of Oklahoma’s longtime artists is also one of art’s finest ambassadors. John Brandenburg, a Norman artist known for his use of vivid color and organic forms, has been writing reviews for art exhibitions, artists and galleries around the state for nearly 30 years.

A quick search on the Daily Oklahoman’s website yields nearly 2,500 articles written by John over the past quarter century, a clear majority of those focusing on art.

John’s impact on the state arts is evident. It is obviously appreciated as well.

“John Brandenburg’s contribution to the arts community is invaluable,” said Suzanne Tate, executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council. “As a leading voice of art critique in the state, his writings have offered an objective perspective to artists as a catalyst for artistic growth. As a practicing visual artist, he understands the process of creation and his reviews have also inspired curators by recognizing how the Capitol Galleries and other exhibit venues strive to promote Oklahoma artists.”

Each week, Daily Oklahoman readers can expect thoughtful reviews by John in Sunday’s Life section. But what they may not understand is the amount of time and attention he devotes to each article. At the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, for example, a rolling chair awaits John’s arrival at each visit. John is known for spending hours studying individual works in exhibitions while scribbling notes and scooting across the room at his own pace.

It is his consistent attention to detail that enables readers to experience the wonderful and insightful imagery John’s passionate writing evokes. John uses language to repaint mental images for readers in order to help them understand the underlying depth of each exhibition and selected works.

With any fortune, Oklahoma readers and art enthusiasts will continue enjoying John Brandenburg’s works, both on canvas and in newspaper ink, for a long time to come. Oklahoma is a better place because of both.

Guest Blogger: Michael Bendure
Director of Communication, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
University of Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition launches the Oklahoma Art Writing & Curatorial Fellowship with a public panel February 20, 1-3 pm at the Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art. In honor of the importance of arts writing to artists in our state and the community, we will highlight active arts writers in Oklahoma throughout the year.

Image: Janet Massad, John Brandenburg, & Annalisa Campbell enjoy the 12x12 Art Sale and Event.

Frequently Asked Questions: Oklahoma Art Writing & Curatorial Fellowship Application

Below are some common questions about the Oklahoma Art Writing & Curatorial Fellowship. As more questions arise, we will update them here. If you have questions, please ask! The full call for applicants is online here. Deadline for applications is September 23 at 5 pm.

Who participated in the Fellowship previously?
The 2010 Fellows included curators, educators, writers and artists from the region. Read about the 2010 Fellows here.  The 2012 Fellowship will be the second installment of the program.

Am I too old/too young/too experienced/too inexperienced for this program?
This program is not geared towards a certain age. We want this program to deepen the pool of capable, inspired curators and writers working on ambitious projects that include Oklahoma artists. If you want to write about or curate living artists’ work and have some experience engaging critically with their work, you are our prospective participants.

OVAC wants the participants to have varied experience levels. Although some background showing you have a passion in this field and ability to write critically is required, the program is open to people with varying levels of experience.

Since masters and PhD students are eligible and you are working with a university, is the program focused on student participants?
No. The program is open to student applicants who are ambitious and prepared to engage with the field professionally. The program is focused on professionals working in or wanting to work more in the field, willing to dedicate themselves to study, practice, feedback, and the network of peers.

Can I participate if a work for an institution, the government, myself or if I don't work in the arts?
Yes. Employees of institutions including but not limited to museums and universities, are eligible. Due to the focused nature of this program, employees of partnering organizations are also eligible.

Why can participants only be within 350 miles from Oklahoma City?
OVAC wants writers and curators from the region to have an opportunity to connect. Also, OVAC seeks to better connect Oklahoma artists, curators and writers to the community beyond our state lines. 350 miles is a proximity that makes an easy drive. All Oklahoma residents are eligible. See map of distance here.

What does the curriculum include?
Shannon Fitzgerald, lead mentor, has designed the curriculum to help give an overview of the field with points of entry for visiting mentors. The curriculum is designed to introduce theoretical concepts to those that may not have a background in art theory and practical professional knowledge to those who may not have on-the-job art writing/curatorial experience.

Workshop days will cover:
-Looking at contemporary art (orientation)
-Writing about art in museums and academia (also public panel)
-What does a curator do? (also public panel)
-Criticism, critique and publishing (also public panel)

Fellows will participate in dialogue with their colleagues and the mentors throughout.

What type of work samples should I submit?
You may submit work samples that demonstrate your conceptual grounding and writing ability. Samples could include essays, articles, reviews and more.  Samples may be published or unpublished. 

I don’t want to apply, but am curious about these topics. Will there be a way to participate other than as a Fellow?
Yes! Public panels by the visiting mentors will take place during three of the program days in 2012. You will be welcome to attend these free events. Also, OVAC will document the program, offering information, writing and resources on the program blog throughout.

Other Resources:
“What is a Curator?” article, Art Focus Oklahoma, May/June 2009, page 24
http://www.ovac-ok.org/ArtFocus/Archive/PastIssues/ArtFocus-MayJun09.pdf

Curating from museum perspective: http://www.nyfa.org/archive_detail_q.asp?type=6&qid=42&fid=6&year=2001&s=Spring
















Academic studies about curatorial practice & art criticism with descriptions of the field:
Bard Center for Curatorial Studies
California College of the Arts who also produce symposia and publishes texts that are downloadable
Graduate School in Art Criticism