DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 12 * * All Arts News On the Web * * March 20, 2008

STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

      ArtBits always features a calendar of the goings on of Franklin County artists. Check out these events around Franklin County. Each issue includes the entire text of our weekly newspaper column.


      Stop in for live music and more at the Fairfax Music Sessions at the Foothills Bakery in Fairfax most Saturday afternoons at 1 p.m., at various restaurants around Franklin County throughout the week, at the Bayside in St Albans Town most Sunday afternoons, and the Cambridge CoffeeHouses at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month.
     These gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, "show-and-tell" and occasional workshops. The booked performances and acoustic Open Mike Nights feature music, readings, and more from the best new artists in Vermont.

      Find links to these events and more in our Spotlight!

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CALLS FOR ARTISTS

      A call for low-residency MFA applications crossed my desk recently. "Students create their own course of study working on art and research projects off-site with the support of faculty and self-chosen artist mentors."
      Independent study and other non-traditional higher education programs are particularly useful for rural Vermonters. The opportunities for learning out of the mainstream are limited here by both distance and population so I was intrigued.
      I was also slightly skeptical. The actual faculty is unknown and the credentials of the "self-chosen" mentors questionable.
      The Call for Artists states that the school is accredited by some other offshore school. I know when I don't know something, so I turned to the bible on non-traditional providers, Bears' Guide Distance Learning by John B. Bear and Mariah P. Bear. The current edition offers lists of fake accreditation agencies and diploma mill schools, plus extensive information about distance learning for first-time or continuing students, hard-to-find real accreditation information, and over 2,500 school listings, divided by residency requirements and accreditation type.
      According to Dr. Bear, the diploma mill industry generates $200 million a year in illicit revenue.
      What does that mean about an advertisement for a low residency MFA program? Check Bear. This particular call will not make the list of opportunities this week.


MARCH-APRIL ART DEADLINES

SUMMER ARTIST/DANCER (Now)--ECHO at the Leahy Center in Burlington needs a Dancer in Residence for a summer gig from May through September. ECHO’s summer exhibit has the working title "Body Language." The position includes daily performance, interactive video, and programs that demonstrate the intersection of dance and physics. Call Grace Per Lee (802.864.1848 ext. 131) or email for more info.


VSA DERIVATIVE COMPOSITION (March 21)--VSA Arts wants work inspired by the performing arts created by visual artists with disabilities. The juried, international exhibition at the Kennedy Center will showcase most media including digital arts, installation, and time-based media. The call is open to artists (18 and older) with a physical, cognitive or mental disability. Work entered must be completed after the onset of disability. Click here for more info.


CALL FOR POLITICAL ART (March 23)--Eagle Art Gallery at Murray State University wants artwork in all media that deals with any political issue or concept; it is not limited to a particular time period or place. Artists must be 18 years or older. The work must be original, completed recently, and not previously shown in the Eagle. Pieces must fit on a freight elevator. No entry fee. Email or click here for a prospectus.


VIRIDIAN ARTISTS (April 11)--The 19th annual international juried competition is open to all US and international artists working in 2D and 3D media. Viridian is an artist-owned gallery in New York City. Cash prizes, There will be a group exhibition and Power-Point presentation in July. Entry fee. Click here for the prospectus.


21st ANNUAL NORTHERN NATIONAL ART COMPETITION (April 30)--Nicolet College offers over $8,500 in prize money for a 2-D show in any media. Open to artists 18 and over living in the U.S. working. Entry by slide or digital images on CD. Entry fee. Email or click here for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

     The opportunities for live music--both to listen to it and to play it--all seem to be outside of Franklin County again this week.


ESSEX JUNCTION--The Lincoln Inn offers some favorites this week. Tonight is WCLX Blues at 7 p.m. Summer Sounds favorite Rumble Doll plays tomorrow evening at 9 p.m. The Starline Rhythm Boys appear Saturday at 9 p.m. Wednesday is the regular open session Celtic Party/Ceili at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.878.3309 or click here for more info.


COLCHESTER--The almost unnamed Porters Point Pub is a new live music venue within driving distance. The entertainment schedule will include Live and Local music with local singer/songwriters and bands on Mondays, the Pine Street Jazz group on Wednesdays, live rock-n-roll bands on Friday and Saturday nights. This week, look for Dan Parks and the Blame tomorrow evening at 9 p.m., High Rollers on Saturday at 9 p.m. Leno and Young on Monday at 7 p.m., and Pine Street Jazz with Jody Albright on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
      Co-owners Matt Rogerson and Brad Luck will host a competition for the next three weeks as they seek a name. The pub is adjacent to the Sunset Drive In at 127 Porters Point Road. Call 802.310.4067 or email for more info.


CLICK HERE: ART SITE OF THE WEEK

     Leslie Cherrington of the Vermont Art Network in Lyndon Center makes papier mache bowls and runs the Made in Vermont site. Her goal is provide links to Vermont artists, artisans, and craftspeople. Artist listings are made by name and media. There are lists of organizations and galleries. The site also reports on classes and open studios, and has job ads for actual paying gigs. Really.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

      ArtBits features a quick weekly peek at the bookshelf or night stand of the folks you know in and around Franklin County. That popular feature has a page of its own at the Franklin County Bookshelf here on the AAC site.


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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      This article was originally published in the St Albans Messenger and other traditional print media. It is Copyright © 2008 by Richard B. Harper. All rights reserved. Archival material is provided as-is. Links are not necessarily maintained (if a link in this article fails, try Google.com or your favorite search engine).
      Thanks to recent misuse of copyright material on the Internet by individuals and archival firms alike, we emphasize that your rights to this article are limited to viewing it and printing it for personal use only. You must receive explicit permission from the All Arts Council and the author before reprinting or redistributing this article in any medium.