About Jesse

Founder of artdc.org and the artdc Gallery.

The New Nature

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Jesse

This is it, one more opening for artdc in the Lustine center, this Saturday 5/9/15 and then it’s on to the next thing!It’s been a pleasure to bring over 60 shows to the DC area. There will be more, but who knows where. Please find our release about the gallery close here: https://twitter.com/artdc/status/593909606172258305

So this is it, if you’ve ever enjoyed a show that we’ve done in Hyattsvile, if you’ve ever shown a work of art with us, or even better, if you’ve ever acquired a work of art from us, please show up for this last opening event!

Please join us for Grayson Heck’s solo exhibition, “The New Nature. “
The Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/350221668499681/
The Hashtag is #TheNewNature

Please consider ReTweeting East City Art’s note here:
https://twitter.com/eastcityart/status/595274088869953536

About the show:
Grayson Heck has always been drawn to the outdoors, landscape and nature in his life. Heck has previously experimented with landscape mainly in his paintings. This body of work, The New Nature, is an exploration into landscape via new mediums. The compositions draw from real and imagined subjects. It also investigates environmental and social concerns.Opening reception is 1-4pm on May 9th, 2015 during the Gateway Open Studio Tour. The exhibit will be on display from May 9th – June 7th, 2015.

Gallery Closed after one more show!

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Jesse

After 6 years, the artdc Gallery @ Lustine is closing its doors!

We are sad to leave Hyattsville, but our mission will continue. We’ve enjoyed the opportunity to bring area arts to the public. Through our community-centric approach, we’ve hosted all-inclusive, juried, invitational, and curated exhibitions, along with a few concerts, conversations, and more.

We developed a guest curatorial program. We gave interns and budding curators an opportunity to plan shows.

We’ve shown the work of hundreds of artists in well over 60 shows, including mass open call events. We’ve promoted the DC area art scene, and started the #WeTweetArt movement. We even connected a few artists with collectors.

Thank you all! We couldn’t have done it without you, your energy, compassion, and the kind support of the Hyattsville Arts District. We send our special thanks to the EYA, Pulte, and the Arts District homeowners. Cheers to your support of our creativity.

Why are we closing our doors? At the beginning, we started our gallery mission in a new community with limited arts attention. The goal was to vitalize the neighborhood through arts activity. The neighborhood grew, and the economy recovered. We developed excellent attention to our arts activities, and now we can no longer afford to exist in the Lustine Center.

What will happen to the gallery at Lustine? We have no idea! We plan to close in June 2015. Stay tuned for the dates in our next release.

We will move our energy online to revitalize our existence while we search for a new physical home where the artdc Gallery will continue.

We are looking for bloggers and Web developers! Sadly, there’s no budget. This is a do-it-because-the-idea-is-awesome situation.

We have one more show planned. Many artists have supported our mission, but one has been over the top through the years. We are offering our thanks with a solo show to this artist. Make sure you whitelist this email address so you get the details soon. Our reception will be on May 9th.

We’ll send out a press release with that show info soon! Support us in our last Hyattsville show and plan on joining us for our reception.

In the meantime, please update your artdc Constant Contact profile with your applicable social media info for Twitter and Instagram, and your updated contact details.

If you would like to be a blogger and/or a social media ambassador for us, email us!

Thank you again for your love for art, creativity, and the things we do!

Cheers,
artdc

PS. We would like to send a special thanks to folks who helped make our gallery experience possible, or inspired us through the process. There are so many to thank; this doesn’t scratch the surface. Forgive us if your name isn’t on this list!

In no particular order, you are all equally awesome!

Thank you:
Grayson Heck
Sy Gresser
Amy Cohen
Roger Cutler
Cheryl Edwards
George Pelham
Barry Schmetter
Antoinette Wysocki
Stephen Mead
Peter Gordon
Lavinia Wohlfarth
Alexandra Zealand
Steven Dobbin
David D’Orio
John Mason
Lenny Campello
Michael Winger
Denise Brown
Jennifer McIvor
Jenny Trussell
Tracy Mucci
Teresa Sites
D. B. Stovall
Elizabeth Williams
Lisa K. Rosenstein
Rhett Rebold
Loretta Thompson
Tom Cardarella
Phil Hutinet
Roberto Gato Echanique
Tom Petzwinkler
Elsabe Dixon
Samuel Scharf
Rodger Schultz
Deborah Winram
Justin Strom
Violetta Markelou
Erica Riggio
Elyse Harrison
Eric Hope
Claudia Olivos
Sergio Olivos
Ric Garcia
Matt Sesow
Dana Ellyn
Kelly Phebus
Roy Utley
Melissa Glasser
Michael Diggs
Renee Woodward
Ryan McKibbin
Robert Long
Angela Kleis
Michael Auger
Christine Walters
Jennifer Lillis
Jeff Clark
Laura Rogers
Steve Jones
Felicia Glidden
Jennifer Droblyen
Robin Sutliff
Lina Alattar
Sid Gold
Diane Tuckman
Alex Belinfante

Our awesome past interns:
Owen Duffy, Sahar Somekhian, Emily Scheeler, & Jennifer Block.

And of course anyone who ever posted on our forum, Tweeted, Facebooked, visited a show, supported our patron program, or bought a work of art! Seriously, can this list get any longer? Yes!

To everyone who ever showed up without hanging wires on their work, wet paint, cheap frames, showed up late, or didn’t make their own reception, better luck next time! May we all learn and grow!

Find the Constant Contact email about this here.

So this is large art!

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Jesse

Who: artdc Gallery
What: So this is large art!
Where: 5710 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781
Web: www.artdc.com
Reception: This Saturday 3/28/15 7-9:30pm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/artdc/status/580543096754184193
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/369380809929405/

Join us Saturday 3/28/15, 7pm! Where we continue our trend of showing large art as a part of our “Big” series. These are a few of our favorite large artists! All of the work is abstract, colorful, and wonderful! Join us on Saturday to celebrate the awesomeness of Big art!

Painting “Beach” by Teresa Sites

Artists:
Lauren Lee
Paul Hrusa – www.paulhrusa.com
Kristine DeNinno – www.kristinedeninno.com
Teresa Sites – www.teresasites.com
Roger Cutler
Grayson Heck – www.graysonheck.com

#WeTweetArt V3.0 Twitter Feed

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Jesse

Join in on our #WeTweetArt V3.0 TweetUp here:

#WeTweetArt Tweets

#WeTweetArt V3.0

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Jesse

Who: artdc Gallery
What: #WeTweetArt V3.0
Where: 5710 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781
Web: www.artdc.com
Exhibition Dates: 1/11/15 – 2/8/15
TweetUp (reception): Saturday, 6-9pm 1/24/15
Twitter: https://twitter.com/artdc/status/555539228088872960
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/394444980728971/
Call for art: http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?topic=16953.0

(Image of “Hot Dog,” by Roberto Gato Echanique @bobcatarts)

The TweetUp is about to happen again, and we want you to take part.

Previously we let the world know we think Twitter is an amazing frontier for creative connections and artistic communication.

We curated a list of Washington, DC area artists. There’s no limitation to medium or experience. This list represents a group of DC-area artists who are working to connect with the world. There’s a wide range of work and it’s all connected via geo-location and Twitter.

Find that list here: https://twitter.com/artdc/lists/art-profiles/members

We are producing our third social media connected show. This is #WeTweetArt V3.0.

In the first 2 versions of this show, artists met the public face-to-face, and we brought the life of the art we found on Twitter back to social media at that moment through live tweeting. It was a unique experience to see social interactions alive through smartphones, oddly quiet in a crowded room filled with the improvisational sounds of Sassoon. (the band will join us again!)

Find some history and the artists involved here:
V1.0 http://artdc.com/2013/08/23/wetweetart/
V2.0 http://artdc.com/2014/03/13/wetweetartv2/

See the history through the hashtag:
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23WeTweetArt

We installed well over 70 works of art on 1/11/15.

Our reception will be Saturday 1/24/15 6-9pm! This will be our third TweetUP for this series, thus V3.0 in the show title.

Join us at the gallery or on-line to connect with artists. We invite you to promote this exhibit on Twitter and other social media platforms such as Facebook. We realize there are folks who may want to share in the fun elsewhere. Bring it on!

At the TweetUP, artists will tweet pics of their work in the show. So you can join IRL or on-line. If you want to buy something, let them know, tweet that you want it, and buy it direct from the artist.

Why do this? More than half of the U.S. population have smartphones according to Forbes magazine. http://www.forbes.com/sites/markrogowsky/2013/06/06/more-than-half-of-us-have-smartphones-giving-apple-and-google-much-to-smile-about/

There are over 645 million Twitter users. http://www.statisticbrain.com/twitter-statistics/

The potential for creative connections for artists at no cost is astounding and moving at incredible pace. With the right energy, one can literally connect with millions of people. What an incredible tool. With such a large number there is great potential to meet art patrons, collectors, and artists to collaborate with and more. This show has no gallery commission, no hanging fee, and no charge at the door. This event is about the art and our connections as a mass community on-line.

Join us!

Find links to the artist’s profiles on twitter who are in this show:

Density

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Jesse

Who: artdc Gallery
What: Density
Where: 5710 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781
Web: www.artdc.com
Exhibition Dates: 12/7/14 – 1/11/15
Reception: Saturday, 12/13/14 7-9pm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/artdc/status/542094935936466944
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/769083726519047/
Discuss: http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?topic=16930.0

Twelve Washington-area photographers present a diverse selection of contemporary photography. The work includes silver gelatin prints, photogravure, wet plate collodion, pinhole photography and large-scale digital prints. “The work in Density represents the rich gamut of photography in both process and form.”, said curator Barry Schmetter.

The show’s opening will be held on Saturday, December 13 from 7:00-9:00 pm at the artdc Gallery in the Hyattsville, MD arts district.

Artists:
Barry Schmetter www.barrys.carbonmade.com
Bill Seelig
Bill Woodbridge
Brady Wilks www.bradywilks.com
Brian V. Jones
D. B. Stovall www.dbstovall.com
Dan Dister
Don Gangloff
George L Smyth www.GLSmyth.com
Jeff Deemie www.deemie.com
Joanna Knox Yoder www.joannaknox.com
John Labovitz www.johnlabovitz.com
Joshua Dunn
Suzanne Izzo

Twitter accounts:
www.twitter.com/Barry_S
www.twitter.com/bradywilks
www.twitter.com/OMHT
www.twitter.com/screamindeemie
www.twitter.com/PBHS_photoclub
www.twitter.com/jslabovitz
www.twitter.com/seeligwn

Shootout at the DaDa Salon Reception

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Jesse

Who: artdc Gallery
What: Shootout at the DaDa Salon Reception
Where: 5710 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781
Web: www.artdc.com
Exhibition Dates: 11/9 – 12/7/14
Reception: Saturday, 11/15/14 7pm – 9:30
Twitter: https://twitter.com/artdc/status/531635092255670272
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/288531051357613/
Discuss: http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?topic=16914.0

SHOOTOUT AT THE DADA SALON brings together nine DC-area artists whose work defies expectations, taking the viewer on a winding journey. Surrealism? Dadaism? These local artists march to the beat of their own drummers. In these works, they redefine aesthetics as they so please, confront cultural mores, swallow them, digest them, and defy logic in works that stand in a universe of each artist’s own creation. This diverse collection of 2D and 3D works alludes to reality, but a reality that has been twisted and subjected to each artist’s will. Their unique voices help us reflect on the sometimes harsh realities of our physical world and our ability, through art and humor, to transcend them.

Artists:
Enrique Huaiquil
Emily Hoxworth
Frank Fishburne
Kelly Phebus
Rhett Rebold
Richard Schellenberg
Steven Dobbin
Roger Cutler

Websites:
www.emilyhoxworthart.com
www.eharts.com
www.stevendobbin.wordpress.com
www.505north.com

Roger’s World

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Jesse

Who: artdc Gallery
What: Roger’s World; A Guest Curator Project.
Where: 5710 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781
Web: www.artdc.com
Exhibition dates: 10/5/14 – 11/8/14
Reception: Saturday, 10/11/14 7-9:30pm
Discuss: http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?topic=16890.0
Twitter: https://twitter.com/artdc/status/519662033323560960
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1694230524135966/
Guest Curator: Roger Cutler

Deconstruction #4 By Tom Petzwinkler

Artists are rarely asked to observe themselves as an editor or curator would. They decide what makes successful work based on a limited set of parameters. This month, guest curator Roger Cutler decided to take advantage of this fact and asked artists to showcase their work without providing them a theme or structure as one frequently finds in group shows. By setting this “system” in motion the artists were faced with a decision regarding their work; They had to decide what constituted acceptable work for them, both as stand alone artworks and as works that represent who and what they are as creators.

If you don’t know Roger Cutler, you may not be getting out in the art scene enough. Roger is an artist who surrounds himself with creative individuals. From building dinosaurs and structures out of wire to casting metal, he is about the process and the system of art and he loves to tinker with everything. His spirit reminds us of why we wanted to make art to begin with. This show is a collaborative vision of the creative and conceptual decision making process that all artists face. Simply put, the artist is now the curator, and these works are indicative of that idea. As a result, the show as a whole is representative of a curiosity and appreciation for setting a system in motion that brought together work that is at the same time disconnected yet fully connected by the the ideas that are made possible in few other places than Roger’s World. With a special thanks to Thomas Petzwinkler for his curatorial insight.

Why Roger? Because we said so.

Artists:
Ed Bisese www.bisese.com
Elsabe Dixon www.readingsilk.com – @ElsabeDixon
Jessica van Brakle www.jessicavanbrakle.com
Julia Bloom www.juliabloom.net
Kelly Carr www.kellycarrlastvision.wordpress.com – @kellycarr8888
Kest Schwartzman www.vagabondmetalworks.com
Michael Auger www.arty4ever.com – @Arty4ever
Michele Colburn www.michelecolburnart.artspan.com
Nikki Brugnoli
Pete Petrine – @petepetrine
Roger Cutler
Sarah Noble www.interplanetsarah.com – @intrplnetsarah
Thomas Petzwinkler www.tompetzphoto.com – @tpetzwin
Wayson R. Jones www.waysonjones.com – @waysonj

Tag You’re It: Curate the Curator. Focus on the Figure!

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Jesse

Who: artdc Gallery
What: Tag You’re It: Curate the Curator. Focus on the Figure!
Where: 5710 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781
Web: www.artdc.com
Exhibition dates: 8/31/14 – 10/5/14
Festival: Saturday, 9/13/14 11am – 5pm
Reception: Saturday, 9/13/14 4pm – 6pm
Discuss: http://artdc.org/forum/index.php?topic=16846.0
Twitter: https://twitter.com/artdc/status/505457582920986624
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/282946888563809/
Exhibit director: Jackie Hoysted – jackiehoysted.com

Curiosity killed the cat or so they say. So what happens when the curator, a person who normally supervises an exhibit, relinquishes control to other curators with no guidance except to focus on a very broad genre of art: the figure. The result is the making of a curious curatorial mix of curators and artists that reflect what figurative work is being appreciated internally within the art community. The result is a fun, mini local survey of what is figurative art today.

Guest curators and participating artists include

Jessika Dene Tarr – jessikatarr.com
Jenny Walton – jennywaltonart.net
Joren Lindholm – jorenlindholm.com
Trevor Young – trevoryoung.net
Yar Koporulin – yarkoporulin.com
Katherine Knight – k2art.net
Megan McNitt – meganmcnitt.wix.com/paintingsdrawings
Jackie Greenbaum –

Curate the Curator is a project conceived by Jackie Hoysted – jackiehoysted.com

Our reception is in conjunction with the Hyattsville Art Festival: http://hyattsvilleartsfestival.com/
Join us at the gallery, then check out the festival!

What to do with Twitter?

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Jesse

So are you a DC area artist and new to Twitter, or you just haven’t used your account much. I’ve been hassling you, and you decided to start. First off, you’re awesome, and thank you. Here are a few thoughts I’ve complied while on way too much coffee. Please forgive my typos.

#1 Be sure, if you don’t have one yet, select a good name that’s short and makes sense. Want to bounce one off me? Ok.

#2 Have a solid description. Please don’t abuse hashtags.

#3 Link to your artist’s website.

#4 Consider investing in a real website domain name. Own your name if you can.

#5 You might want some followers that are relevant beyond the porn spam that floats around.

#6 How to get those followers? Follow a few artists.

#7 Need to find some DC area artists? Follow the 170+ artists on my list https://twitter.com/artdc/lists/art-profiles/members (really I spent a lot of time finding these folks)

#8 Not on my list? Tweet to me something like @artdc I’d love to be on your DC area artist’s list. Or some thing like that.

#9 Want more relevant followers? Actually tweet to artists on this list. That is, compliment someone that you like ” @whomevertheartistsis love your work keep creating… “ Or something similar. You get the picture.

#10 Follow some DC galleries. This list might not be completely up to date, but it’s a good starting point https://twitter.com/artdc/lists/art-spaces/members

#11 Repeat #9 except tweet to the galleries. For instance, tell them that you liked whatever show you’ve seen at their space, or that you dig an artist they represent.

#12 Buy me coffee for the help! :) Seriously this is optional but appreciated. I have in the past brought really good customers (in my day job) a Starbucks card as a thank you.

#13 Remember that twitter is about 2-way communication, and not just another glorified RSS feed, so talk to people.

#14 Don’t get upset if someone doesn’t respond to your tweet. They might not be listening, but you should.

#15 Remember, we are all salespeople here, in addition to being creative, it’s our job to sell our own art as much as it is to find people to do it for us. Being proactive and professional means a lot, or so I’m told!

All of this is optional. Just a thought, but it helps our energy out in addition to yours. Oh and we’re talking about 30 minutes of work here if you’ve had a lot of coffee like me.

Need to get in touch? Reach out here. I’d love to hear about your Twitter success. This is just a starting point, but it has been useful for me.

artdc.com

Ideas and inspiration from a Washington, DC area art gallery and studios.

Author Archives: Jesse