News

Here are just some of the ways that artists have begun to change the way they run their art business during this time, and how you can too.

With the Coronavirus outbreak changing the way everyone in the world is working and living their daily lives, artists are learning to adapt to a “new normal” as art fairs, exhibitions and workshops are indefinitely put on hold. 

COVID-19 has already rapidly changed the way that everyone—including artists and creative freelancers—will conduct business this year.

Melissa Lawson, Coordinator of the Huntsville Hospital Health System National Arts Program Exhibit, displayed their 4th annual show from October 18 through December 16 this year. Although Huntsville was still unable to have an in-person reception the artwork continued to be installed in their hallways each year straight through the pandemic. Melissa commented that she is, “so glad to be a part of this program. It is a highlight for the year. I love to hear employees and their family members say how much the show means to them.”

The C2X Healing Arts Team, led by Kerry Sobol, director of patient experience and Walter Braxton, Healing Arts team leader are so incredibly committed each year to bringing forth and celebrating the artistic talents of their UMMC employee community. Their positivity and understanding of the good that this showcase can do is evident to all. This year the showcase was displayed in-person at the University of Maryland Medical Center and included 154 incredible artwork entries!

The City of Boston held their fourth annual National Arts Program exhibit from November 1st through December 24th this year. Coordinator John Crowley commented that the audience was very excited and they had a great turnout for their November 5th reception. One artist in particular touched a chord in people’s hearts. Intermediate artist Keith Spady who works at the community center and helps the youth of Boston go down the right paths in life, was truly surprised that his artwork was chosen for an award. When he came up to the podium to receive his award he was overcome with emotion.

 The 29-year-old Beijing co-founder and chief executive officer of the crypto startups Arpa and Bella Protocol has been buying NFT artworks at breakneck speed since the spring, ranking as one of the top 10 buyers of art on the digital art platform HicEtNunc. ( read full article here)

When Landmark Trust first began work to restore the room, which had been painted peach in the 1970s, the team noticed some colored stains on exposed timber, reports the Yorkshire Post. The likeliest explanation was dirt or mold, but Keay still knew it warranted further investigation.  see full article here

The NFT trading platform Nifty Gateway and art collector Amir Soleymani are currently caught in a series of legal disputes on both sides of the Atlantic over a Beeple artwork.
(full article)

  The Smithsonian American Art Museum's  permanent collection includes several artworks that remind us of the moments of tragedy, the enduring spirit of a nation, and the lasting impact of the events of 9/11.    see full article 

“Banksy: Genius or Vandal?” doesn’t open in L.A. until Aug. 30, but the unauthorized exhibition of the anonymous British street artist’s work is already stirring strong opinions. The exhibition will take over a “secret” location in L.A. to be disclosed to ticket holders in July. 

(see full article here)

In a divisive year in American history, Arizona artist Ann Morton has led a decidedly nonradical "Violet Protest."

"That combination of red and blue on the color wheel is violet," Morton said. "And what I like about that word, it's one letter away from violent."

Kristin Pleasanton, Deputy Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts, has made the State of Delaware National Arts Program a success year after year. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition and due to Covid related restrictions they decided to present it virtually. They have always had phenomenal turnout for their exhibit and the pandemic didn’t hold anyone back from sharing their talents. A record 301 artists submitted images of their work and represented over 18 departments of Delaware state government!

The City of Santa Rosa celebrated their 18th Annual NAP Exhibit with another successful display of talent from their community! There were 200 artists that participated this year in a virtual showcase that was made possible by long time coordinator Jessica Rasmussen. Jessica told us she couldn’t believe they pulled off their exhibit in the year of COVID! She said, “it was more than worth the effort- I can’t count the number of emails and thank you messages I received for maintaining some normalcy and putting on our 18th Annual National Arts Program exhibition.

Coordinator Susan Kett decided to go fully virtual with their National Art Program exhibit this year in order to continue offering the opportunity to the Amita Health community during the pandemic. Their goal was to encourage the use of the arts to facilitate self-expression and even healing during this difficult time.

Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport opened their 10th Anniversary National Arts Program Exhibit on December 18th, 2020 and the incredible collection of art will remain on display for all to enjoy through June 4th this year. Their show, MSP Creates 2020, included 134 spectacular and diverse works from across their airport community. MSP employees, volunteers, retirees, and their family members were all invited to participate, and the art was once again beautifully displayed in the Thomson Reuters Concourse C Art Gallery in Terminal 1.