Introductions Introduces New Artists to DC

For the sixth year, the contemporary and modern art gallery Irving Contemporary in Washington, DC, is hosting its annual Introductions art show, featuring a selection of art created by recent graduates and student artists from some of the Fine Arts programs across the country.

Soliciting entries from student and recent grads from major American art schools, Irvine received over 200 submissions from newer artists.   Of those, just 6 were selected as finalists, including 4 from the Washington DC/Baltimore area. Finalists were selected through open submissions, thesis exhibition visits, or artist studio visits.

This years finalists include:

• Firelei Báez (MFA, Hunter College) – personal narratives drawing on themes of gender, popular culture and Afro-Caribbean folklore.
• Claire Callagy (BA, Georgetown University) – abstract narrative photographic imagery and portraits.
• Steven M. Cummings (MFA, Maryland Institute College of Art) – documentary photography.
• Hedieh Javanshir Ilchi (MFA, American University, 2011) – mixed media works on mylar.
• Brendan Loper (MFA, American University) – black and white and color paintings featuring narrative from films, including the classic Maltese Falcon, starting Humphrey Bogart and Sidney Greenstreet.
• Wafaa Yasin (MFA, California College of the Arts) – multiple cultural identities and questions of history and memory on video.

On Saturday, July 31st, a preview and opening reception with the artists will be held to open the exhibit.

Introductions6 — Irvine Contemporary, 1412 14th Street, NW, Washington DC  (map)

Date and Time – July 31 – September 4, 2010, Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Preview and Opening Reception with the Artists – Saturday, June 31, 2010 – 6:00 –8:00 p.m. Preview 3:00 – 6:00.

Admission - Free

Nearest Metro Subway Station – McPherson Square – Blue and Orange lines or Farragut North – Red Line, then a 4-5 block walk.

Parking – Metered and free street parking and paid garage parking is available in the area.

Images – Courtesy Irvine Contemporary and Copyright by the artist.  Top – Hedieh Javanshir Ilchi, Thrusting Trust, 2010, acrylic and collage on mylar. Bottom left – Steven M. Cummings, Abandoned (Collaboration with B. K. Adams), 2010. C-print.  Bottom right – Brendan Loper, A Bird In the Hand is the Stuff Dreams are Made Of, 2010, Gouache on paper.