Photoworks » Special Events

Cool Jazz Heats Up Auction

jborstel — Sat, 01 May 2010 03:40:30 +0000

A MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR KAREN KEATING:

Wow! What a “Cool Night of Jazz” at the 2010 Auction on April 24! Thanks to all the efforts everyone contributed, we had a wonderful evening. With a change of venue from our previous Auctions in the Park, one thing stood out visually to me each time I entered a room – community was evident everywhere. From the team work setting up, to serving food, to a different use of our space, everywhere there was a high level of energy and buzz.

The event raised much-needed funds for Photoworks’ community and educational programming and afforded a chance for our family of friends and supporters to reconnect with one another. The Photoworks Board and I join in thanking everyone who took part and the committee that helped to make it a successful event.

Pictured: As MC Frank Van Riper presides, happy raffle participants show off their catches at Auction in the Park: A Night of Jazz, Jambalaya & Photography on April 24. Photo by Judy Goodman.

Photoworks Launches Lectures

jborstel — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:23:03 +0000

Starting March 2, Photoworks will present a weekly series of engaging talks by Photoworks faculty, presenting and discussing their work. It’s a great way to widen your photo horizons and get to know a teacher whose class you might be contemplating.

March 2 – Will Knipscher
March 9 – John Borstel and Min Enghauser
March 16 – Leta O’Steen
March 23 – Rebecca Drobis
March 30 – Patrice Gilbert and Ed Kirkpatrick
April 6 – Sora DeVore

Minimum age 18.

Image: Leta O’Steen: 833 Mapleton Terrace Series (detail)

Photoworks Holiday Shoot A Success!

jborstel — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Over 100 people stopped by Photoworks Studio last Saturday night to participate in our First Annual Holiday Photo Shoot. The free event, part of Glen Echo Park’s Winter’s Eve festivities, was an instant hit. Kids, hot chocolate, holiday props, matching sweaters and even a pet or two filled the studio. Photoworks instructors, Emily Whiting, Julie Arbit and Karen Keating snapped pictures for over three hours as people streamed in for their free portraits. Folks used the photo shoot to get great holiday portraits of their kids, capture an image of a night out with friends, or even have a professional photo taken of the family dog.

“Everyone loves to get a great picture of their family at this time of year,” said Karen Keating, Director of Photoworks. “We were all so pleased to see such a terrific turnout.” The free portraits were emailed out on Tuesday, December 15th. If you have any questions about the portraits or the event itself, please feel free to contact Karen Keating at kwkeating@comcast.net.

Pictured: Emily Whiting of Photoworks shows Glen Echo revelers their holiday portrait. Photo by Julie Arbit.

Photographers Flock for Advice from an Expert

jborstel — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:27:47 +0000

Become familiar with gallery culture. Identify the up-and-coming arts-friendly neighborhoods and start your campaign for gallery representation with an emerging art space there. When attending a portfolio review, state at the outset what you are hoping to get from the session. Consider whether the paper you are printing on and format size you’re using represent your best thinking about your work. Observe how other photographers and artists promote themselves in print and on line; there is much to be learned from their examples. You can have both a strong commercial practice and a thriving fine art career.

These are just a few of the gems of advice that photography consultant and educator Mary Virginia Swanson shared in a dynamic and information-packed lecture presented by Photoworks on November 7, part of a day of activities kicking off FotoWeek DC 2009. The two-and-a-half hour slide talk brought over 30 photographers to hear Swanson’s advice.

For more information on Mary Virginia Swanson and the resources she offers, see her website, www.mvswanson.com.

Photoworks Showcases Gallery Shows and Guests for FotoweekDC Opening Day

jborstel — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:37:09 +0000

FotoWeek DC is returning for its second annual installment. This celebration of photography it all its forms — featuring exhibits, lectures, special events and portfolio reviews — will take over the greater Washington area from November 7 through 14. Helping to launch the festivities, Photoworks will present a full day of diverse activities on Saturday, November 7. Plan to take in a few, or attend them all:

Lecture: “Presenting Your Work to the Fine Art Community,” a lecture by author and artist, Mary Virginia Swanson, Saturday, November 7, 9:30-11:30am, Arcade #201. Contact Photoworks to register: 301-634-2274 or 301-229-4313.
Artists’ Talk: Artists John Borstel and Matthew M. Smith join curator Mark Power to discuss and dissect their Photoworks Gallery exhibit, Process: Word and Image, Saturday, November 7 @ 12:30 pm.
Multi-Media Presentation & Discussion: Documentary Multi-Media Presentations by guest artists, lobby, Arcade Building, November 7, 1:30-3:30 pm with discussion.
Opening Reception & Curator Talk: “On Top of the World: Book Artists from Australia,” including work from Julie Barratt, Anne-Maree Hunter, Peter Lyssiotis, Tim Mosley, and Monica Oppen. Opening reception is November 7, 4-6 pm in the Popcorn Gallery @ Glen Echo Park. Curator’s Talk features Tara O’Brien, Popcorn Gallery, 4:30 pm.

Kick off your FotoWeek at Photoworks!

Leading Consultant Demystifies Gallery Market

jborstel — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:22 +0000

Emerging fine art photographers who are seeking to get a foot in the door of the gallery market can get some expert advice in a special event at Photoworks on November 7. In a seminar titled “Presenting Your Work to the Fine Art Community,” marketing consultant/educator Mary Virginia Swanson will provide insights into the most efficient and effective avenues for introducing your work to industry professionals towards presenting your work in the collectible fine art market. The event takes place in Room 201 of Glen Echo’s Arcade building, 9:30 to 11:30 am. Swanson’s book, The Business of Photography: Principles and Practices, will be available at a substantial discount. $25 pre-registration, $30 at the door. Call 301-634-2276 or 301-229-4313 for information.

Swanson will discuss the strategies surrounding submitting work to national and international juried exhibitions and portfolio review events such as FotoWeek DC, FotoFest, Photolucida and European festivals. Art fairs such as AIPAD and Photo LA will be discussed from the standpoint of assessing market trends and helping artists determine which dealers will be most appropriate for their work.

Swanson will also cover the professional practices necessary to effectively present your photographs in the market, as well as sharing examples of effective self-promotion materials in print and on-line formats.

About the Presenter: Mary Virginia Swanson makes it her goal to help photographers find the strengths in their work and identify appreciative audiences in today’s marketplace. Swanson has a diverse professional background, having coordinated educational, publication and exhibition programs for a wide range of institutions and businesses in our field, and is considered an expert in the area of marketing and licensing fine art. Swanson currently works individually with photographers as a marketing consultant and her workshops and lectures on the subjects of marketing awareness and opportunities have proven to aid countless photographers in moving their careers to the next level.