Sunday, March 27, 2011

Here is a new meditation for career success - from chapter 1

I have too much on my plate - teaching, full time job, artist, curate a show (oy veh), writing a book. SIGH. But,
I'm happy, feeling successful and productive. I meant to get into the city to see Manuel and Raul's videos/films, (so sorry), and meant to just sit and read and relax to replenish (oh well). But I did meditate with the trees today and spent time with the living energies drawing. Have you noticed, that you are more creative when you are feeling fulfilled? I have.

And so can you.....

So I have finished my first draft of Chapter 1 today (yes I spent the day writing) of "Create your art career: tools for empowerment and success".  This chapter is introducing the tools and techniques I love, and I created a new meditation that I wanted to share with you. Please try it out and let me know what happens!


Chapter 1: Creative Visualization:  Are you ready to start your day?
Get ready (quiet your mind, breathe and then begin.)

Now Imagine You wake up in the morning filled with an amazing feeling of joy, you wake up happy.  Take  a deep breath and imagine that there is an inner feeling of contentment, that everything is OK and as it should be.  Imagine that you are happy to get out of bed and start your day. You look forward to your day.

Now Imagine You go to your studio or your place of work, ready to create.  You love your job, you love what you do so much that you can’t believe how lucky you are to do what you love.  At the end of the day you are satisfied, invigorated, fulfilled. You are amazed that you actually have more energy at the end of your day than when you started.

Now Imagine Your self-awareness grows each day. You know yourself better every day. You know that your career path is leading you to make the work you’ve always wanted to make, to help people in the ways you’ve always wanted to help in the world.  You know that you are walking the right path at the right time with a clear sense that all is as it should be.

Now Imagine You feel a sense of great contentment and peace. You are successful, productive, and creative. By your definition, no one else’s. You write your own story of success, productivity and creativity. You know your own truth. What does it look like? Feel like? You are successful, you are productive, and creative.  What does it look like to be happy, to be prosperous?

Now Imagine You wake up to a new day, feeling fulfilled, happy and prosperous. You’re entire mind and body is filled with a deep sense of peace, fulfillment and satisfaction. You are ready to start the day.

Now Imagine You are on the right path.

Journal: write what you experience and draw what you feel.

Let me know if you like it, should I change it, does it work for you?

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

March astrology - Uranus in Aries ( war everywhere)

A dear friend of mine writes a great newsletter, and here  is her MARCH report.  If you would like to get on her email list, send her a quick note at virginiabell245@yahoo.com.

I know it is almost April, but wanted to share.....

March 2011 Astrology
Uranus enters Aries, the Full Moon, the Gift of Change
By Virginia Bell

Once again we meet at an important gateway, a significant crossroads; the planet Uranus is poised to enter Aries; a major event. At the same time the seasons are changing as the darkness of winter gives way to the softness of spring. Once more, time seems to stands still as we pause between to the old and the new. Here in the North East the weather has been cold and rainy but occasionally the Sun emerges and the air is filled with the faint scent of fresh earth and new flowers. Soon buttery yellow daffodils and forsythia will appear; tenacious baby crocuses, fragile yet brave will push through the hard ground; the brooks will run faster, the birds will sing longer. Our spirits too reawaken along with the natural world as a sense of hope and possibility return with the light. “March is the month of expectation.”- Emily Dickinson
                                                                                       
Uranus enters Aries – March 11, 2011
“Our only security is our ability to change.” John Lily

On March 11 revolutionary Uranus, the planet of change, reenters red-hot Aries, the sign associated with action, anger, combat, and passion. We had a preview last year when Uranus bolted into Aries from May 27 - August 13 then retreated back into dreamy Pisces. Now, the rehearsal is over; its full steam ahead! Uranus was last in Aries from 1927-1934. It was the rise of Hitler, the stock market crash, the Great Depression, and Roosevelt’s New Deal. Charles Lindbergh made the first transatlantic flight; the first television broadcast took place, penicillin was discovered, Mickey Mouse made his debut, and the Star Spangled Banner became our National Anthem.

Some History: Uranus, like Pluto and Neptune, is an outer planet; these planets are so far away they weren’t even discovered until we had telescopes. Uranus was the first to be discovered in 1781 around the time of the American Revolution, French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution. When a planet is discovered tells us a lot about its character. Uranus is associated with freedom, rebellion, anarchy, genius, and breakthroughs of all kinds; creative, scientific, technical, and political. Called the maverick, the outlaw, and the eccentric, its energy is sudden, disruptive, exciting, and electric. Uranus in watery Pisces is like lightening through a fog; Uranus in pushy Aries is like a rocket. As Bette Davis said (in All About Eve); “Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.”

A Revolution in Consciousness
“This gateway will unleash powerful, higher-dimensional energy that has never before been felt on earth.” Szuson Wong

Uranus will surely bring brilliant new discoveries and advancements in every field, especially in medicine, computer science, free energy technology, agriculture, and artificial life. But as Carl Jung said, “There is no breakthrough without breakdown.” It is the nature of the Uranus to challenge the status quo in order to liberate us from established conventions and institutions that have become overly restrictive and top heavy. Since “all or nothing” Pluto entered Capricorn (the sign of business, banking, government, and corporations) in 2008 we’ve seen old structures collapse as well as massive changes to the earth itself. Now “expect the unexpected” Uranus, in Aries, teams up with transformational Pluto, in Capricorn, to bring about more change and restructuring. There will probably be an increase in protests, rebellion, and instability but Uranus in Aries also has the potential to bring about a different kind of revolution; a revolution from within and a call to consciousness.
                                      
“With Uranus being in Aries, we can manifest magnificence in our lives by cultivating and expressing bravery, confidence, fearlessness, independence, and novelty in the area of our life (and natal chart) where Aries energy lies. This is a time where a warrior will be born in all of us, though it’s up to us to decide what to do with this new energy.” Szuson Wong

If you are an Aries (or have planets and angles in Aries) you will feel the impact of this transit the most. Uranus will be your sign until 2018 so at some point during this period Uranus will contact your Sun or other Aries planets. If you were born between March 20 - 28 then you will experience the conjunction this year. Lucky you; you have friends in high places. Jupiter, the planet of good fortune, is also in Aries (until June 4) acting as your ambassador. Dream big, take some risks, and go out on a limb for something you really, really want.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” –Charles Darwin
Even if we don’t have planets in Aries, we all have the sign Aries somewhere in our chart; that is where Uranus is transiting (traveling) and it is an area of our life that requires a major renovation and make-over so get out the tool box! As they say, “You work with the energy or the energy works on you.” Change will happen, whether we want it or not, so initiate it. It’s not necessary to alter everything but be willing to take some positive action where Uranus is. That’s what is being asked of us. The gods are speaking; pay close attention. Bottom line: “Pray for a big risk, then take it!” –Caroline Myss

“Watch out for emergencies. They are your big chances.” –Fritz Reiner

The energy of Uranus can feel jarring and unpredictable; as if we’re living in Starbucks! Because Uranus is not visible to the naked eye; we don’t see the events coming; they surprises us - and “me first” Aries is impulsive. Therefore, be flexible, stay open, and learn to improvise. The rules are changing; there are not rules. We’re all in uncharted territory learning to dance in this beautiful and brave new world.

 Virgo Full Moon - March 19
Full Worm Moon or Full Sap Moon

Practical Virgo is the sign of logic and reason; Sensitive Pisces rules the imagination. Earth bound Virgo is associated with doing; watery Pisces governs the realms of dreams. This polarity emphasizes the need to integrate body and soul, reality and imagination. The Full Moon makes a tight square to the karmic Nodes of the Moon (in Gemini/Sagittarius) creating a mutable grand cross that aligns with the Galactic Center, the center of the Milky Way. The planet Uranus is strongly placed; at 00 degrees of Aries it is conjunct the Sun and opposite the Moon and square to the Nodes, stressing the fact that we are on the brink of a great, new adventure. The Full Moon peaks the day before the vernal equinox which adds to its significance. The ancients believed that equinoxes were sacred days of the year, times to perform rituals and connect with the divine.
                                                                     
“The hardest thing in life is to know which bridges to cross and which to burn.” –David Russell

This Full Moon and Uranus entering Aries seem to be saying the same thing. We’ve all reached the end of something; a relationship, lifestyle, job, or an old limiting pattern or habit. At te same time we're on the brink of something new. Don’t be afraid to let go of what’s already over; don’t be afraid to reach for the brass ring. The great astrologer, Dane Rudhyar believed that anyone living in such a time (at the beginning of a new cycle or era) is faced with a fundamental choice: to identify either with the decaying leaves (that which is ending) or with the “small inconspicuous seeds that hold the promise of new life in the following spring.”

March 20 is the first day of spring, the vernal equinox, and the sign Aries: Day and night are equal in length; it is a time of cosmic balance when all things are possible. It is also Ostara (pronounced O-star-ah), the solar festival that marks the transition from the dark to light and the renewal and rebirth of nature herself. Create a ritual; clean and purify your home; decorate your altar with spring flowers; welcome this new energy into your life and your being. “Lighting a candle and making a wish is a little spell and blessing all by itself.”– Sister Karol’s Book of Spells and Blessings, by Karol Jackowski. 

March 30 Mercury turns retrograde until April 23: Retrograde Mercury in feisty Aries can have us tripping over ourselves. With so much happening right now it’s easy to over extend and over do. This is especially true early April; the brash New Moon in Aries is accompanied by Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus all in Aries; that’s a lot of fire! It’s more prudent to take the time to review, rethink, and redo rather than push forward. Remember, we can do everything; just not all at the same time. Things will come together early May at the lush New Moon in Taurus; Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus will all be in Aries but Mercury will be direct and the timing will be better to initiate new projects and plans.

Dear Friends, Have patience with yourselves and others; we are at just at the beginning of something. We don’t have the answers; we’re still trying to figure out the questions. Remember, change isn’t simply an event; it’s a process and it takes time to integrate. Breathe deeply, meditate, find your tribe, be with friends and family; spend time in nature during this sacred season. I will return in late April with a Spring Astrology Café newsletter. In the meantime, you can visit me at my website: www.virginiabellastrology.com  or on Facebook. Below is a quote that I have shared before but it feels especially relevant now. You are loved, all is well, Virginia

“New beginnings: Though your destination is not yet clear you can trust the promise of this opening. Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning. That is one of your life’s desires. Awaken your spirit to adventure; hold nothing back, learn to find the ease in risk. Soon you will be home in a new rhythm. For your soul senses the work that awaits you.” –John O’Donohue

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Started writing my new book today - Tools for Empowerment

As my heart brakes over Japan, and the world in flames- in North Africa, middle east, drones in Pakistan, currency crises on the horizon. I am very aware of Uranus in Aries, Pluto in Capricorn, and each of us, the creatives - needing to share a vision of community and hope and survival with each other.

Let's prepare for the worst and hope it is not needed. Have plenty of food in storage, water, cash on hand, extra medicines, and getaway plan if needed.

And let's take care of each other, our neighbors, our community. Let's share images of reality, images of laughter, images that come up from deep within us - we are all we need. We are all we have.

I've been drawing again, I'm happy to say. The energy of the trees have been calling my name.  It is amazing to draw again. I sit with my pad, and watch the energy in between the trees, they dance. Ah, the ancient ones. The trees know what will be will be. I had a friend who could dance with the trees, I am happy to watch in awe.

I signed my contract for the new book with Allworth Press this week. I am very excited. It will be called ( I think) Create Your Art Career: Tools for Empowerment and Success. I'll keep you posted on what I'm writing.

Today I started chapter one, introducing the tools and techniques that I love: Introduction to and explanation of tools and techniques for a successful creative career. Tools include visioning, setting goals and creating marketing strategies. Techniques include visualization, guided meditation, self assessment and self exploration exercises and journaling. 

Discussion on how to use these tools and techniques for career management.  As you know I love using creative meditation and self assessment for just about everything! And now you can too!

Let's not put our heads in the sand, but with an open heart and strategies in mind - move through the collapse of what we've known and create, help each other create and  flourish.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

I AM - we are all interconnected

A friend of mine saw this film at a screening in LA a week ago.  I just went to the site and watched the trailer, OK - I admit, I cried. We are interconnected. Love that this is happening , NOW.

With Uranus entering Aries, and the world accelerating into........

As my dear friend Hadley said: "Do watch for it at a theatre near you. It's excellent! Therefore, it probably won't be around for long. "

If you hated "What the Bleep...?" you'll love "I AM."

If you loved "What the Bleep...?" you'll love "I AM."

Click here: I AM The Documentary | Official Site

OR http://iamthedoc.com/

Friday, March 11, 2011

Just saw this post on Kate Harper's Blog :
 

Kimberly Montgomery, co-owner of a new art licensing agency, Huffman Licensing is looking for artists. She has over 25 years as a successful licensed artist in the gift and paper products industry, and has decided to help other artists build their careers. She is partnering with Jim Huffman, a business owner and entrepreneur with over 35 years of business start-up and contract negotiation experience.

They are looking to build a ‘Dream Team’ of 10-12 talented artists and are currently reviewing portfolios. If you are an experienced designer/illustrator with an interest in licensing your artwork to the gift and paper products industry they’d love to here from you! You can view our submission guidelines and contact info at www.HuffmanLicensing.com


Good luck everyone!

Friday, March 4, 2011

“DREAM Act" Filmmaker needs help

There is an artist at SVA who I coach, and she needs crew and help. I  thought I would post her email here, in case anyone can help her out.
Thanks,
Rhonda

-------------------------------

Dear Family and Friends,

As some of you might know, I’m currently studying film in SVA. During the past six months, I’ve been working on my thesis film “DREAM Act”, the story of a hardworking and ambitious college senior seeking a job interview with the successful CEO of a big private CPA firm and the compromising situation she’s put in to get the opportunity.

This story is based on the actual bill the “DREAM Act”. In the past ten years, the "DREAM Act" was failed again and again in the congress. In order to have more people aware of this bill and to support the bill, I want to make a film about “DREAM Act”, and I need your help. Any amount of donation is welcome. But more importantly, we need crew and actors. We are looking for a DP and photography unit crew, AD, art director, makeup artist, PAs, and an Asian actress (20s).

Our shooting dates are March 17-March 20, 2011. Please email me if you would like to help (any help) during the pre-production or production period. You will get the screen credit, a copy of the film DVD w/ the director's signature, and the fun of making a film with a group of great people.

In addition, please forward this Email to your friends. It could be a great opportunity to reunite with old friends and to meet with new friends. Thank you, thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Xin
Email: hello_yuanxin@hotmail.com>

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Calls for Entry - on CaFE

From the CaFE Newsletter:

New opportunities are listed on CaFE™, and many application deadlines are approaching. See what new opportunities you can apply to below. You can go to www.callforentry.org to apply to one of these opportunities.

Upcoming Deadlines - APPLY TODAY!

2011 APP HAWAII: Commissioned Works of Art for the Department of Education
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Entry Deadline: 3/4/11

Art in Public Places/Department of Education--Artists in Residence Program of the Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is soliciting artists in the State of Hawai`i for four commissioned works of art projects in public schools.


Henry Art Gallery: Facade Window Project
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Entry Deadline: 3/4/11

The Henry Art Gallery, the art museum of the University of Washington in Seattle, is soliciting proposals for a site-specific, large-scale temporary media project for the façade of the museum’s main entrance. The Henry seeks to engage an artist or artist team to create a media art project that will be visually striking and attention-grabbing, arousing interest and curiosity in the Henry, and motivating people to enter the museum. Jurors will select the work that best meets this functional need and that exhibits a unique and captivating artistic vision.


California Community Foundation: Fellowships For Visual Artists 2011 - Due 11 pm PST, March 4, 2011
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Entry Deadline: 3/4/11

For more than 95 years, the California Community Foundation (CCF) has recognized, encouraged and supported the Southern California arts community by funding and nurturing a full range of artistic expressions. The Fellowship for Visual Artists is designed to support local emerging and mid-career artists in advancing to the next level of professional development. Must be a resident of Los Angeles County to apply.


En Foco: The Changing World
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Entry Deadline: 3/4/11

The Changing World is open to En Foco members of all nationalities/ethnicities, working in all photo-based media. There is no fee, but a membership is required to participate (current through May ’11, or new membership). Non-members are welcome to join. To join, visit: http://www.enfoco.org/index.php/join/


Intersections: the Kenai at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center
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Fee: $25.00 (Intersections: the Kenai at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center)
Entry Deadline: 3/7/11

"Intersections: the Kenai" is a juried contemporary Alaska art exhibit included as part of the "Intersecting Journeys" program for summer 2011 at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center in Kenai, Alaska. Only artists who are residents of the State of Alaska are eligible to apply.


Denver Museum of Nature and Science
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Entry Deadline: 3/11/11

Introduction The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA) and Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) seek to commission an artist or team of artists to create a site-specific art installation to be integrated into the exterior site design for the new Education & Collections Facility (ECF) of the DMNS, a 126,000 sq. ft. addition on the south side of the existing building. The art installation will be located on the exterior plaza at the entrance to the new ECF and/or on the walkways approaching the plaza. This project has very specific parameters and goals (please read all instructions) but is open to all artists working in all media. BUDGET: Approximately $425,000


Fort Collins Studio Tour
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Fee: $10.00 (Fort Collins Studio Tour)
Entry Deadline: 3/11/11

The City of Fort Collins, Colorado, Studio Tour will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, 2011 from 10 am – 5 pm both days. Accepted artists must be available in their studios during all open hours on both days of the tour. The Fort Collins Studio Tour is an educational experience that enhances the understanding and appreciation of the visual arts by giving people a first hand experience with the artists in their studios, the creative process and the artwork. This event is open to Fort Collins, Laporte, and Bellvue, Colorado artists only.


Shift
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Entry Deadline: 3/11/11

VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, is accepting artwork submissions by visual artists on the theme of "Shift" - an investigation of those moments in life that alter the direction of a person’s path. Open to artists (ages 18 and over) who are committed to their artistic progress and who have a physical, cognitive, or mental disability.


Clackamas County: Singer Falls Public Artwork
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Entry Deadline: 3/14/11

The Rotary Club of Oregon City, in collaboration with Clackamas County Arts Alliance, is seeking qualifications from artists or artist teams for a significant public artwork in the form of a bas-relief mural. The project will be sited in a prominent downtown location at the base of Singer Falls, adjacent to the Main Street business community, and will serve as a gateway and link between “uptown” and “downtown” Oregon City. The artwork will be presented as a legacy gift from the Rotary Club to the people of Oregon City and will embody and reflect the Club’s mission and motto: “Service Above Self”.


City of Greeley: WD Farr Commemorative Bronze Sculpture
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Entry Deadline: 3/14/11

The City of Greeley’s One Percent for Art Program is requesting qualifications from artists to create artwork that will commemorate WD Farr’s contributions to the City. The Greeley City Council would like to commission an artist(s) to design a representational bronze sculpture to be installed in Greeley CO.


The Public Art Exhibition on Hilton Head Island
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Fee: $35.00 (The Public Art Exhibition on Hilton Head Island )
Entry Deadline: 3/15/11

The Inaugural Public Art Exhibition will be held from September to December 31, 2011 at the spectacular and historic Coastal Discovery Museum Honey Horn Plantation on Hilton Head Island. Regional, national and international sculpture artists are invited to submit work for display during the event. A nationally-recognized jury has been assembled to review and choose for the Inaugural Public Art Exhibition. Selected sculptures/sculptors will be awarded a $2,000 participation stipend and outstanding artworks will receive cash prize awards. As a secondary and project, the jurors will be also considering artwork for purchase $50,000 to $75,000, and these artworks will become a permanent part of Hilton Head Island's growing public art collection. The public promotion of the event and awards ceremony will take place September 24-November 5, 2011, however artists are strongly encouraged to leave their piece on site through December 31, 2011. The mission of the Public Art Exhibition ! is to be an important, internationally recognized platform for sculpture while educating and inspiring the Hilton Head Island community and its many visitors. To learn more about the event, go to www.hhipublicart.org.


Society of North American Goldsmiths Educational Endowment Scholarship
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Entry Deadline: 3/15/11

The Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) Artists. Designers. Jewelers. Metalsmiths. presents: EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP 2011 With the Educational Endowment Scholarship for 2011, SNAG will award four Scholarships with at least one award given to a student that is currently an undergraduate. A $3000 Hoover and Strong award for Production Jewelry Designs*, one $2000 award, one $1500 award and one $1000 award; each includes one year’s SNAG membership. * The Hoover and Strong Award is for graduate students or those entering graduate school.


Kansas City Artists Coalition’s Undergraduate College Student Exhibition 2011
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Entry Deadline: 3/15/11

Kansas City Artists Coalition’s Undergraduate College Student Exhibition Open to currently enrolled undergraduate college students in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas.


Alaska Contemporary Art Bank Call for Art 2011
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Entry Deadline: 3/18/11

The Alaska State Council on the Arts is seeking 2D and 3D relocatable artwork for the Alaska Contemporary Art Bank, an Art in Public Places program. ALASKAN ARTISTS only. Deadline for submission is 09:59 PM AST, March 4, 2011


Images 2011: The Gallery Exhibition of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
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Fee: $30.00 (Images 2011)
Entry Deadline: 3/18/11

Images 2011 is open to artists residing in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and the District of Columbia. Images, a juried mid-Atlantic regional exhibition for fine art and fine craft celebrates its twenty-third year. Sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Images has evolved into a well-respected show for both emerging and established artists. The exhibition will hang in the Robeson Gallery, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park Campus, The Pennsylvania State University. The juror for Images 2011 will be Ron Rumford, an artist and the Director of the Dolan/Maxwell Gallery in Philadelphia.


Spokane Arts Commission: All Media Juried Show
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Fee: $30.00 (Spokane Arts Commission: All Media Juried Show)
Entry Deadline: 3/18/11

Juried Exhibition to be juried by Karen Bubb from Boise Arts Commission. The All Media Juried Show is open to artists in Spokane and throughout the Northwest Region (Washington, Oregon, Idaho).


Los Angeles Printmaking Society: Juried Membership Exhibition 2011
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Fee: $15.00 (Los Angeles Printmaking Society: Juried Membership Exhibition 2011)
Entry Deadline: 3/20/11

THE CITY of BREA ART GALLERY is a non-collecting gallery and the municipal gallery for the city of Brea. It is a large space that can display up to 100 art works, and has an active and varied schedule of exhibitions. JUROR Mike McGee is currently the gallery director and professor of art at Cal State Fullerton University where he heads the museum studies/exhibition design graduate program. He has worked as an art writer, curator, and arts administrator since 1982. He has organized and written catalog essays for more than two hundred exhibitions working with artists such as Don Bachardy, Tony DeLap, Paul McCarthy, Mark Ryden, Kenny Scharf, and Robert Williams. He is also founder of the Cal State Fullerton Grand Central Art Center in downtown Santa Ana, California. His most recent book is John Paul Jones: The Pursuit of Beauty’s Perfect Proof.


LCC Foundation: Site-Specific Art for the Health & Wellness Facility
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Entry Deadline: 3/24/11

The Lane Community College Foundation is seeking artwork for indoor areas of the new Health and Wellness building. This facility opened for classes in September 2010. This opportunity is only open to practicing professional artists over 18 years of age who are Oregon residents. This request is for indoor artwork for the Health and Wellness Building, located on the main campus of Lane Community College. This request is for site-specific commissioned work in two different locations within the building.


LCC Foundation: Portable Art for the Health & Wellness Facility
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Entry Deadline: 3/24/11

The Lane Community College Foundation is seeking artwork for indoor areas of the new Health and Wellness building. This facility opened for classes in September 2010. This opportunity is only open to practicing professional artists over 18 years of age who are Oregon residents. This request is for a series of indoor artwork for the Health and Wellness Building, located on the main campus of Lane Community College. This request is for "portable art" in various locations within the building. We are seeking a variety of artists.


2011 Cary Visual Art Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition
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Fee: $25.00 (2011 Cary Visual Art Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition)
Entry Deadline: 3/25/11

Sculpture artists from across the nation are invited to participate in the 2011 Cary Visual Art Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, August 12, 2011 - June 22, 2012. This exhibition offers established and emerging artists the opportunity to display their sculptures throughout the heart of downtown Cary, North Carolina. The 2011 Exhibition will feature 10 sculptures selected by juror Jack Becker, executive director of Forecast Public Art and publisher of Public Art Review. Artists will also receive the opportunity to attend a lecture by Jack Becker the evening prior to installation day. The 10 artists will receive a $1,000 stipend and 1 night’s hotel accommodations; the Best in Show will be awarded an additional $5,000 on the evening of installation. For exhibition criteria and additional information, visit www.caryvisualart.org. Artists should apply online through www.callforentry.org. Application deadline is March 25, 2011. Artists may submit as many applications a! s they wish; application fee applies. $25/per application, application can contain 2 individual artworks.


City of Loveland: The Art Advocacy Project (TAAP) 2011
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Event Dates: 5/25/11 - 5/25/12
Entry Deadline: 3/25/11

The Art Advocacy Project (TAAP) is a one-year temporary loan sculpture program created to promote Colorado artists within Loveland. As the first municipality in Colorado to adopt a one percent for the arts ordinance, Loveland is recognized nationwide for its rich cultural heritage and Art in Public Places Program.


City of Seattle - Fire Station 20, Seattle Fire Facilities and Emergency Response levy
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Entry Deadline: 3/25/11

The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Department of Finance and Administrative Services, seeks an artist or artist team to develop a site-specific art project for Fire Station 20 in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. This opportunity is open to established professional artists living in the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana) or California. The application deadline is 11 p.m. (PDT), Friday, March 25.


Hallie Ford Fellowship in the Visual Arts, The Ford Family Foundation
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Entry Deadline: 3/29/11

The Ford Family Foundation, headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon, invites artists who have resided in Oregon for no less than 36 months and are currently a legal resident of the state to submit qualifications for consideration for a Hallie Ford Fellowship. The deadline for submission is 10:59 PM (Pacific Daylight Time) Tuesday, March 29, 2011. Applications will only be accepted by artists through the CaFE system (www.callforentry.org) who meet the eligibility requirements as outlined below. Artists who have not previously established a profile on CaFE must register before applying. Directions for doing so are available under First Time Users Register Here or at www.tfff.org. Late applications cannot be accepted and incomplete applications cannot be reviewed.


Community Cultural Hub: Rethink CUE
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Fee: $10.00 (Community Cultural Hub: Rethink CUE's Space)
Entry Deadline: 3/31/11

As an artist centric organization CUE Art Foundation seeks out new ways to serve under-recognized artists. With the aim of offering a more open and inclusive exhibition opportunity to our community, CUE is launching an open application program with the first selected proposal being showcased in March 2012 for approximately 7 weeks. This open call will offer a show to one selected applicant per exhibition season. Each year, CUE will consider new criteria for the open application exhibition ensuring opportunities are created for a diversity of voices. Each year, CUE’s Exhibition Curatorial Advisory Council will be engaged to help determine the criteria, keeping in mind the necessity of it pertaining to current issues within the art world and embracing CUE’s mission.


19th Annual Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) International Exhibition
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Fee: $35.00 (19th Annual Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) International Exhibition)
Entry Deadline: 3/31/11

The Charles W. Eisemann Center Richardson, TX. This annual exhibition is limited to works in 100% colored pencil and is the only venue where CPSA members can earn CPSA Signature status. The exhibition features over $14,000 in awards including the $2,000 Best of Show award and CIPPY trophy.


Apogaea, Inc: ILLUMINATE
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Entry Deadline: 3/31/11

A collaborative outdoor arts and music festival held in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.


2011 Art on Parade - Northglenn CO
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Entry Deadline: 3/31/11

The Northglenn Arts and Humanities Foundation (NAHF) is conducting an open entry competition to select six sculptures ─ valued at no more than $20,000 each ─ to be part of Northglenn’s “Art on Parade” on-loan sculpture program. The selected pieces will be installed for a period of one year at E.B. Rains Junior Memorial Park surrounding Webster Lake in Northglenn, Colorado.


COTA Paratransit Facility Sculpture
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Event Dates: 3/1/11 - 3/31/11
Entry Deadline: 3/31/11

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is inviting Ohio and national artists to prepare proposals for a sculpture to be installed at the new Paratransit Facility.


Artists of Hawaii 2011
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Fee: $25.00 (Artists of Hawai'i 2011)
Entry Deadline: 4/1/11

The Honolulu Academy of Arts annual juried exhibition is one of the longest running juried exhibitions in the country, showcasing the quality and diversity of Hawaii’s artists. All artists residing in the state of Hawaii are eligible. Artists may submit up to 3 artworks. There is a $25 Jury Fee which includes one digital image submission. Each additional digital image submitted is $5 (1 entry=$25; 2 entries=$30; 3 entries=$35; 1 entry+1 detail=$30; 2 entries+1 detail=$35, etc). For more information on the Honolulu Academy of Arts please visit www.honoluluacademy.org.


John Michael Kohler Arts Center: Arts/Industry Residency
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Entry Deadline: 4/1/11

The John Michael Kohler Arts/Industry residency is a long-term residency in Kohler, Wisconsin. The residency is open to visual artists worldwide. Applications are accepted year-round, but there is a deadline of April 1 for residencies in the following calendar year. Major funding is provided by Kohler Co.


Rocket Grants 2011-2012 Call for Proposals
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Entry Deadline: 4/1/11

Project-based grants for experimental, interdisciplinary, public-oriented art in non-traditional spaces, Kansas City Region


Boulder Open Studios 2011 Fall Artist Tour
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Fee: $35.00 (Boulder Open Studios 2011 Fall Artist Tour)
Entry Deadline: 4/1/11

Open Studios Fall Artist Tour is now in its 16th year. Presented by OpenArts, Open Studios takes place Saturdays and Sundays, on October 1-2 & 8-9, 2011, from 12:00 Noon to 6:00PM each day.A preview exhibition will take place at Boulder Public Library in the Canyon Gallery from September 6 through October 9, 2011. The opening reception will be at Boulder Public Library, 9th St & Canyon Blvd, Boulder, Colorado, on Friday, September 30, 2011, from 6PM-8PM. A $35 NON-REFUNDABLE application fee by credit card or check (checks payable to OpenArts, 1301 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302) is required with the online application and must be postmarked by April 1, 2011. We will inform you whether or not you have been accepted by May 2, 2011. If accepted, a $225 participation fee paid by check must be postmarked by May 16, 2011. Checks will be deposited May 18, 2011, and are non-refundable after this date. OpenArts Mission Statement: To provide an educational opportunity for the commun! ity to gain a broader understanding and appreciation of the visual arts through the personal experience of meeting artists in their private studios and other forums.


Artspace Artists Association Professional Membership Spring 2011
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Fee: $25.00 (Artspace Artists Association Professional Membership Spring 2011)
Entry Deadline: 4/1/11

Artspace Artists Association (AAA) is an organization of artists working together in Raleigh, NC to promote growth of the individual artist, to provide an environment of interaction with other artists and with the public, and to foster the mission of Artspace. Professional artists interested in becoming a member of the Artspace Artists Association must be juried in through a two-stage jury process. The first phase of the jurying takes place through www.callforentry.org. Artists who pass the first phase of the jury must be able to bring their work to Artspace in Raleigh, NC for the second phase of jurying.


Arts at the Airport: Call to Artists Nashville Int Airport
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Entry Deadline: 4/1/11

Arts at the Airport (AaA) announces a Call to Artists for artists to be considered for upcoming exhibitions at the Nashville International Airport. NOTE ABOUT ELIGIBILITY: This opportunity is open only to Tennessee residents or artists who can demonstrate a strong connection to Tennessee either through prior residency or your work.


Request for Qualifications: City of Baltimore Pre-Qualified Public Artist List
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Entry Deadline: 4/3/11

The City of Baltimore, the Baltimore Public Art Commission, and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts is seeking interested artists and/or artist collaborators to submit qualifications for consideration and inclusion in Baltimore’s Pre-Qualified Public Artist List.


Dairy Center for the Arts for 2012
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Fee: $35.00 (Dairy Center for the Arts for 2012)
Entry Deadline: 4/4/11

The Dairy Center for the Arts has opened the application process for all gallery exhibits for 2011. The Dairy encourages artists who work in all visual art mediums to apply. The application deadline is midnight, Monday, April 4, 2011.


Hit That Shutter 2011 Undergraduate Photo Survey
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Fee: $30.00 (Hit That Shutter 2011 Undergraduate Photo Survey)
Entry Deadline: 4/8/11

Hit That Shutter Is pleased to announce a call for entries for publication in a professionally printed collection of undergraduate work from around the country.


60th Annual All Florida Juried Competition and Exhibition
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Fee: $35.00 (60th Annual All Florida Juried Competition and Exhibition)
Entry Deadline: 4/15/11

60TH ANNUAL ALL FLORIDA JURIED COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION June 29 – September 11, 2011. ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: FEBRUARY 1, 2011. Applicants may enter up to THREE (3) artworks. (Only ONE application per artist is permitted.) Florida’s oldest statewide annual juried all media competition showcases the best prominent and emerging Florida artists today. This year the Museum celebrates the 60th anniversary of the All Florida, reinforcing its strong commitment to Florida artists. This year's juror is Valerie Ann Leeds, Adjunct Curator of American Art at the Flint Institute of Arts, Michigan. She will review submissions, selecting the exhibition and awards.


WJA Student Scholarship 2011 -2012
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Fee: $10.00 (WJA Student Scholarship 2011 -2012)
Entry Deadline: 4/15/11

WJA is committed to empowering women in the international jewelry, watch and related businesses. To this end, WJA is offering Scholarships to female students enrolled in accredited fine jewelry and watch design courses in the United States of America.


Art Match City of Bend Oregon: Deschutes County Library - Eastside Branch
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Entry Deadline: 4/17/11

Art in Public Places, Inc. (AiPP) on behalf of the public art initiative for the City of Bend, Oregon known as ArtMatch, seeks to commission a three dimensional wall sculpture for the Deschutes Public Library Eastside branch located at 62080 Dean Swift Road in Bend, Oregon. This is an open competition for professional artists residing in the Northwest United States, specifically the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Northern Nevada and Northern California.


Piedmont Craftsmen 2011
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Fee: $30.00 (Piedmont Craftsmen 2010)
Entry Deadline: 4/18/11

Thank you for your interest in Piedmont Craftsmen and welcome to the annual jury process for exhibiting members. Since its founding in 1964, Piedmont Craftsmen has evolved into one of the nation’s most highly respected craft guilds, presenting an annual Fair that is considered one of the finest in the southeastern United States. Total sales by 125 exhibiting craftsmen are estimated at nearly $400,000. Piedmont Craftsmen’s Gallery and Shop anchor the Arts District in downtown Winston-Salem, NC. The gallery attracts over 18,000 visitors each year, and grossed more than $250,000 in sales of fine craft. Visit www.piedmontcraftsmen.org for more information about Piedmont Craftsmen. Piedmont Craftsmen holds a two-part jury process each year for craftsmen interested in becoming Exhibiting Members. Part 1, the Image Jury, is being conducted on CaFE at www.callforentry.org in partnership with the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF). This online process requires that all appli! cation images and materials be submitted in digital format. Applicants must live and work in one of the Southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. Deadline: The application, images and other required materials must be submitted electronically by midnight, Monday, April 18, 2011 to www.callforentry.org.


REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Graphic Traffic Boxes 2011
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Entry Deadline: 4/20/11

Santa Cruz City Arts invites local artists to submit proposals for artwork on traffic signal cabinets. Five “Graphic Traffic Boxes” will be commissioned.


Momentum
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Entry Deadline: 6/10/11

A national juried exhibition for young artists with disabilities, ages 16 – 25. 15 Finalists. $60,000 in awards. Sponsored by VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc.


American Impressionist Society 12th Annual National Juried Exhibition
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Fee: $48.00 (American Impressionist Society 12th Annual National Juried Exhibition)
Event Dates: 10/15/11 - 11/15/11
Entry Deadline: 7/1/11

Mountainsong Galleries is hosting the AIS 12th Annual National Juried Exhibition. This show is judged by Scott L. Christensen, AISM who will present over $35,000 in cash and prizes at the opening reception. Juried works will be shown with the work of AIS Master Artist,Carolyn Anderson, Clayton J. Beck, III, Scott Burdick, Nancy Bush, Scott Christensen, Kim English, Nancy Guzik, Albert Handell, Quang Ho, Peggy Kroll Roberts, Calvin Liang, Kevin Macpherson, C.W. Mundy, and Zhiwei Tu. AIS will also sponsor workshops by Cayton J. Beck, III, Scott L. Christensen and Kim English during the week of the show. Visit www.AmericanImpressionistSociety.org more more information. ENTRY FEE is $48 for up to three paintings of which, two (large) shall not be larger than 36”x48” (or up to 1728 sq. in.) canvas size and one (miniature) not larger than 6”x8” canvas size (or up to 48 sq. in.). Maximum of one large and one miniature painting per artist will be juried into show.


WAOW, Inc.: 2011 Application for membership in Women Artists of the West
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Fee: $35.00 (WAOW, Inc.: 2011 Application for membership in Women Artists of the West )
Entry Deadline: 9/30/11

Application for membership in Women Artists of the West (WAOW, Inc.), an organization of women artists with members across the US and Canada. “Membership includes a page on WAOW’s web page with links to your private e-mail and web site. We have at least one juried show per year for our members and try for one other. We have an extensive communications program for our members.”


Nine Dot Arts Artist Database
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Entry Deadline: Rolling

NINE dot ARTS is a corporate art consulting firm based in Denver, CO. We find and secure artwork for corporate clients such as hotels, hospitals, and private offices. We are building our new artist database and are open for submissions from both existing and new artists.

Another Trends Alert - too important not to post

Here is another Trends Alert from the Trends Research Insititute:


I follow these guys for years now and they are always on the money. I share because I care.....

War Against Social Security

KINGSTON, NY, 3 March 2011 — Expensive wars and trillion dollar annual military/security budgets, bailouts and tax cuts for the mega-rich, and high unemployment and a shrunken tax base from jobs offshoring threaten price stability, the dollar’s role as reserve currency, and the financial viability of government in the United States.

These real causes of the federal, state and local budget deficit crisis are being covered up by dishonest pundits and politicians, who have placed the blame instead on retirees and the poor. Social Security and Medicare have been selected as the scapegoats for a sinking economy that has been plundered to the point of collapse by Wall Street and the military/security complex.

Far from being the reason that the U.S. government is bankrupt, the Social Security payroll tax over the years 1984-2009 has contributed $2 trillion more to government revenues than has been spent on Social Security and Medicare benefits, as the U.S. government’s own annual Social Security Reports make clear. The government took the $2 trillion from the Social Security Trust Fund, stuck non-marketable IOUs in its place, and spent the money, thus reducing its need to tax or borrow by $2 trillion over the period.

If we add to this revenue contribution from the earmarked payroll tax the additional fact that this $2 trillion and the $800 billion in interest that would have accrued did not have to be financed with Treasury bond issues, the outstanding federal debt in the hands of the pubic is $2.8 trillion lower today than it would have been. In other words, there are $2.8 trillion fewer Treasury bonds in the market, because the politicians plundered the surplus Social Security revenues. 

Social Security is most certainly not bankrupting the government. The Social Security “crisis” exists, because the government stole the money in the Trust Funds. For Social Security to continue in the black under the present formula, the Treasury will have to add $2.8 trillion to its financing needs in order to restore the Trust Funds.

The government does not want to add another $2.8 trillion to a $14 trillion public debt that is growing by trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. The government prefers to blame the crisis on “improvident” retirees and the poor and to cut the pension and health benefits for which people paid 15% of their wages during their working lifetime.

Critics of Social Security claim that even if the government repays the money it stole, eventually the Trust Funds will be used up and Social Security would then require a hike in the payroll tax or become dependent on general revenues. This is true only under the current formula that is used to compute the real growth of benefits over time. The formula that is used causes the real value of Social Security pensions to rise too much through time, given demographic and other assumptions. By adjusting the formula to slow the real growth of future benefits, Social Security can remain solvent indefinitely under the current rate of payroll tax.

In 1981 the Treasury had the solution worked out. However, other parts of the government and the 1983 Greenspan Social Security Commission had agendas different from ensuring a healthy Social Security system. One agenda came from Wall Street’s demand for immediate revenues to reduce budget deficits. The government responded by accelerating already scheduled payroll tax increases and beginning in 1984 by taxing the Social Security benefits of retirees with private incomes in excess of $25,000 for an individual and $32,000 for a couple. Taxing benefits is a way of cutting them.

To make a long story short, the 1983 Social Security “fix” produced surplus revenues for several decades, but left the long-run problem intact.

The Treasury’s solution, or a version of it, would still work today three decades later. Regardless, the financial recklessness of the U.S. government still leaves us stuck with a government desperate for revenues and determined to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits in order to divert the payroll tax revenues to other purposes.

The policies of the U.S. government continue to enlarge the number of Americans with nothing to lose. Washington is bringing Egypt and Libya to America.