The Migration of Pestilence

January 14th- February18th
Opening reception Saturday January 14th 5-8 PM
Facebook Event Page

A collaborative art project including Ellyn Weiss, Sondra Arkin and Veronica Szalus

Vector-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue and zika, among others, are transmitted by small organisms (vectors) such as mosquitoes, eas or ticks that carry pathogens from animals to humans, person to person and place to place. As the earth warms and climate changes, the environment conducive to the spread of these diseases expands, exposing vulnerable new populations that lack any protection to these pathogens. In these circumstances, vector-borne diseases can spread rapidly and in unexpected ways, posing severe challenges

to national governments, international health systems and the world’s population. We see this today with the outbreak of zika. The amount of greenhouse gases already in the environment ensures that the phenomenon will only increase for at least the medium-term future regardless of the success of efforts to curtail emissions of CO2.

Artists
Ellyn Weiss, Sondra Arkin and Veronica Szalus have been exhibiting their work locally and nationally for over 20 years; all have signi cant experience creating installation art, as well as more traditional wall-hung work. Weiss and Arkin, for example, collaborated on a gallery- lling installation at the Gateway Arts Center entitled “Big Ideas”, concerned with the evolution of the area now known as the Gateway Arts District. Weiss collabo- rated on a climate change-related installation created at the American Association for the Advancement of Sci- ence and at the McLean Project for the Arts, called “Voyage of Discovery”, which evoked a trip to the melting polar regions. Szalus has created numerous installations, often using fragile and ethereal materials to address the impact of the environment upon them and allow the viewer to become a witness to temporary conditions that frame our lives.
Sound art created for the exhibition by Barry Schmetter 
Access sound HERE

Hours:
Saturdays Noon-5:00 By Appointment M-F

Otis Street Arts Project

3706 Otis Street
Mount Rainier, MD 20712

202.550.4634

otisstreetartsproject@gmail.com 
otisstreearts.org 

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Studio Available in the Gateway Arts District

Otis Street Arts Project will have a studio space available January 1st.

Rent $420/month
Security Deposit $420

Space:
Studio is 11"x11'
Walls are drywall with plywood backing
24 hour access.
Fluorescent lights
Electrical Outlets.
Concrete Floor
9'6" ceilings.

Shared space includes: loading dock, utility sink, bathroom, modest flex space for daily projects, parking, heat, AC, kitchenette.

We are a group studio of 10 artists, in a larger compound of other independents group studios in the Gateway Arts District of Prince George's County.

More about us:
Otis Street Arts Project is an artist run space in Mount Rainier, Maryland, founded by David Mordini and Sean Hennessey.

Otis Street Arts Project serves as artist studios, exhibition space, and a creative incubator for those interested in a dynamic, supportive, and community oriented work environment of professional artists. We aim to create great art and provide great art experiences.

To Apply:
Send us your website, and a few words about what you would like to work on at Otis Street Arts Project. The ideal studio mate will be interested in a community oriented studio, participation in select group exhibitions, attend our events, and be comfortable with interaction of fellow artists and visitors. We require a 1 year lease.

email to otisstreetartsproject@gmail.com
Otis Street Arts Project
3706 Otis Street
Mount Rainier, MD 20712
http://otisstreetarts.wixsite.com/

Open Studios Saturday December 10

Otis Street Arts Project 

Open Studios!

Saturday December 10

Noon-5:00

3706 Otis Street

Mount Rainier, MD

Otis Street Arts Project Artists

Sean Hennessey

David Mordini

Art Drauglis

Alma Selimovic 

Svetlana Durkovic

Liz Lescault

Heborn Chism

Jenna North

M.L. Duffy

Gloria Chapa

Chris Bohner

with Special Musical Guest 

Plastic Sky

Other Open Studios and Art Spaces:

Otis Street Arts Project - 3706 Otis Street

ReCreative Spaces - 3501 Perry Street

Veronica Szalus, Peter McClintock - 3613 Oak Lane

Washington Glass School - 3700 Otis Street

Robinson, Theberge, Shikhaliyev - 3706 Rear Otis Street

White Point Studio - 3708 Wells Avenue

Orange Door Studio - 3706 Wells Avenue

Janis Goodman 3702 Otis street rear

Brentwood Arts Exchange - 3901 Rhode Island Avenue

Gateway Arts Center 3901 Rhode Island Avenue

EZ Storage - 4301 Rhode Island Avenue

Blue Fire Studio - 3700 Wells Avenue

Jackson Jarvis Studio #2 3600-3602 Oak Lane

Arlette Jassel 3700 Wells Ave

PLAKOOKEE - 3702 Otis (rear)

Blue Door Studios 3704 Otis Street Rear

Facebook Event Page

Exhibit at Otis Street Arts Project :: Home is where one starts from

Home is where one starts from

Otis Street Arts Project will host an opening reception for their new exhibit 

Home is where one starts from 

curated by Zofie Lang.

This exhibition examines interior spaces, both literally and guratively. Four artists explore the idea of home as a space of memory and identity, something that leaves a lasting impression even after they no longer inhabit it.

Maggie Gourlay investigates ideas of home and domesticity through installation and screen prints, using construction materials and blueprints along with household materials. e screen prints in particular recall a childhood home, using sewing thread to create meticulous architectural plans.

Khánh H. Lê’s polymer photogravure etchings combine family photos with iconic images as well as clippings from fashion magazines to create new per- sonal historical narratives. As a Vietnamese-born American, home is an ambiguous concept, and his photo collages contain clues in a search for his own identity.

Michele Montalbano’s oil paintings start with a viewpoint of a familiar room, which is gradually erased and painted over, leaving only ghostly traces of the original.

Lisa Noble’s symbolic paintings and drawings of room scenes represent self-portraits, little narratives that give a glimpse into her personal world, imbued with memories.

Please come and celebrate with Otis Street Arts Project and the talented Artists in this exciting invitational exhibit.

Opening Reception 
Saturday October 22nd 
5:00-8:00 
Exhibit runs through November 19th, 2016

Hours:
Saturdays Noon-5:00 By Appointment M-F

Otis Street Arts Project
3706 Otis Street
Mount Rainier, MD 20712
202.550.4634
otisstreetartsproject@gmail.com 
otisstreearts.org
Facebook Event Page

The Critique with Jayme McLellan September 14th

The Critique
with
Jayme McLellan

Here at Otis Street Arts Project, we’re interested in elevating our conversations about art. We feel that group studios and areas of artist density provide fertile ground for growth and development. While this is an important part of our daily interaction as artists, we also feel that Curators, Critics, Art Writers, and other Arts Professionals bring an amazing amount of insight for an Artist. With this in mind, we host an ongoing series we call The Critique.

We would like to invite everyone that is interested in hearing this conversation about specific works of art to sit in on The Critique. The conversation is meant to be critical, and constructive. We aim to discuss what works, what doesn’t work, and to lead the artist toward possible resolutions or developments. 


Our Guest Critic will be Jayme McLellan
Jayme McLellan is a curator, gallery director, educator, and artist. McLellan has a twenty-year history of curating exhibitions and working with artists and art spaces including curating over one hundred exhibitions at the gallery she created and directs, Civilian Art Projects. McLellan has curated and managed independent projects and exhibitions at galleries, museums, and non-profit art spaces in the U.S. and Europe and has led classes on curatorial practice and professional practice for visual artists for eight years. She is presently adjunct faculty at Georgetown University in the Art & Art History Department. She has published essays and articles about artists, and is a practicing visual artist working in photography and video.  An essay about her career will be included in “Living & Sustaining a Creative Life: Artist as Culture Producer,” edited by Sharon Louden, published in March 2017. Prior to creating Civilian Art Projects, McLellan co-founded Transformer, a non-profit arts organization in Washington, DC, and she "cut her teeth" at DC Arts Center as a fundraiser. It is at DCAC where she realized her first independent curatorial projects.

Our Guest Artists are
Jessica Burnam
and
Eric Celarier

Please join us
Wednesday September 14th
6:30-7:00 Meet and Greet
7:00-9:00 The Critique

Otis Street Arts Project
3706 Otis Street
Mount Rainier, MD 20712
Facebook Event Page
 

Artful Flow II at Otis Street Arts Project

ARTFUL FLOW II

We had so much fun flowing this July, we are back at it again.

Otis Street Arts Project and Bluebird Sky Yoga are teaming up to bring you a yoga class on Thursday, September 8. Come join us for a 60-minute all-levels flow, set to the sounds of a live DJ. Flow amidst art from Otis Street Art Projects resident artists, and spend time exploring their creative works after class.

WHEN
Thursday September 8th, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (EDT) -
WHERE
Otis Street Arts Project
3706 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD

HOW MUCH
$15
Get tickets HERE, or pay at the door.
 

Bluebird Sky Yoga
Organizer of Artful Flow II

Bluebird Sky Yoga was founded in order to bring yoga, music, art, and more to Brookland. We are located in one of DC's most creative neighborhoods in a former craft store, and honor the creativity of the city through our murals and art-focused events. 

Facebook Event Page

Co-Exist A 3-Person exhibit curated by Molly Ruppert.

CO-EXIST
Three artists examine their relationship with the materials of the world of art.

Opening Reception:Saturday October 10th 
5:00-8:00 
Show runs through November 21st.
Otis Street Arts Project
3706/ 3708 Otis Street

Otis Street Arts Project is know for creating a warm, open, creative vibe at excting arts events in Mount Rainier, Maryland, a major hotspot for the arts in the DMV. The exhibition, Co-Exist curated by the incomparable DC arts maven, curator, impressario, life coach, and recipient of the WPA Alice Denny Award, Molly Ruppert furthers that reputation. With her deep connection to the DC Arts Community, Ruppert finds and brings together 3 unique artists bringing an enriching touch to their chosen media.

Glenn Richardson- Carves sculptures from fallen trees

Eric Celarier- Creates sculptures with found, made, and natural materials.

Albert Schweitzer - Recreates society with paint on canvas

Co-Exist looks at the way three artists examine their world using different materials to create works to express their inner vision

Albert Schweitzer’s paintings use color and image to show human emotions of fear, jealousy, hope, and joy. He exults in the world’s humanity and “the flux between life and death”.

Eric Celarier makes beautiful, elegant sculptures out of our trash. His use of spent electronics mixed with elements of nature and other garbage uncovers “hidden aesthetics”

Glenn Richardson sculpts with a chainsaw. His work begins with the wood which is from fallen tress or trees discarded by society to make room for progress. His work shows a depth of feeling about social issues such as gun violence though he is interested in the weird and playful as well.

See our Facebook event page HERE

Andrew Christenberry:: Artist's Talk and Demo

Artist's Talk and Demonstration by Wood Artist and Artisan Andrew Christenberry  in Support of his Exhibition
CONVERGENCE

So what makes Andrew Christenberry tick? What does he mean by convergence? How does he make those black marks? Come celebrate the closing of his show ‘Convergence’ and find out. Two hours packed full of demonstrations, discussions and celebration with the artist. 
Meet and greet will begin at 3 PM, talk and wood burning demonstration will begin at 4pm.

Christenberry, born and raised in Washington, DC, attended the Corcoran School of Art and received his MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in Furniture Design. 

His combinations of sculpture and furniture pieces offer a glimpse into his creativity, craftsmanship, and versatility. His combinations of wood, paint, metal, concrete, glass, fabric, plastics, and drawing provide a refreshing and rare take on well built items meant to last. 

Christenberry is represented locally by REYES : DAVIS Gallery

Here's a taste of his words in the Artist's words

Where to begin?

The double edged sword of the artist/craftsman. Mercifully, the world is chock full of so many amazing materials that it leaves little time to ponder that predicament. Distilled down to the core... I love to make things. It then quickly gets more complicated.

With furniture objects, there are established parameters. A table should have a level surface, a chair should be sat upon (comfort is a bonus), a desk... ample work space with drawers and cubbies for all the accouterments.

With art objects, there are no rules. Paint it, draw it, construct it. Maybe even destroy it. Build it back again over and over. All of the above.

This is typically the space I occupy. Constantly oscillating between these two worlds in my own mashed up tug of war. Occasionally the two converge.

You may be left asking "Whats the work about"? Recurring themes include natural and man-made disasters, the rise and fall of civilizations, man kinds indomitable will in the face of calamity, death, decay, rebirth, growth, and the constant march of time.

It's a lot to chew on... so I should get back to work. 

-Andrew Christenberry, 2015

Saturday
September 12, 2015
3:00-4:00 For a Meet and Greet
4:00-5:00 For the Talk and Demonstration

Facebook Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/989249841097655/

Otis Street Arts Project

3706 Otis Street

Mount Rainier, MD 20712

Our Studios

Currently Available Studios: 1

Otis Street Arts Project will serve as artist studios and a creative incubator for those interested in a dynamic, supportive, and community oriented work environment of professional artists. Situated among other group studios in a light industrial space, including a glass studio, ceramics studios, painters and public artists. We aim to create an active space open to visitors, guest artists, collaborations, critiques, interactions, and other events. The space consists of subdivided empty studio areas roughly 11' x 11' with 9.5' ceilings and concrete floors. There is a bathroom, community area, flex space, kitchenette, utility sink, and exhibition space that will be used to showcase rotating exhibitions. The studio has a loading dock and parking. 

It is located in Mount Rainier, MD, just over the DC line.

Studios are $400/month each 

If interested please contact otisstreetartsproject@gmail.com 

Include your contact info, website, and give us a sense of what kind of work you want to do in the space. Studios are ideally suited for sculptors and mixed media artists.