ArtPrize 2012, Top 25 Short List

ArtPrize 2012 is in full swing, and Round 1 Voting closes this Saturday, September 29th at 11:59pm. The Top 10 finalists will be announced Sunday, 1:00pm, at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. Round 2 Voting will then commence, and close on Thursday, October 4th.



I'm very excited to be counted among the public vote's Top 25 at this stage of the competition. My own experience of ArtPrize 2012 has been wonderful so far, and the opportunity to exhibit at the GRAM alongside so many great works has been a true honor. Seeing so many viewers visit and interact with my work up close these last few weeks has touched me on so many levels. There's no greater feeling than seeing others connect with work that you've created from your soul; not to mention, how great it is seeing people and their city, as a whole, immersing and engaging in art and culture on such a grand scale. It's an amazing thing to be part of.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out GRAM's website specifically created for our ArtPrize exhibition Transformation. There, you'll find a great series of one-minute artist movies GRAM has produced, documenting it's exhibiting ArtPrize artists.

View the list of GRAM ArtPrize artists here, click on a name, and hit the "Video" button: http://www.artmuseumgr.org/uploads/assets/artprize/index.html

Also be sure to check out Sojourn included in some recent noteworthy press:

MLive // Joseph Becherer: GRAM's ArtPrize exhibition is 'transformational'

MLive // ArtPrize 2012 public Top 25 short list

Hyperallergic // Slimming Down the Short Lists: A Look at 10 ArtPrize Finalists

ArtPrize 2012

ArtPrize 2012 opens TODAY, September 19th! I am participating in it again for the first time since 2009, and am very happy to announce that  Sojourn has been selected to be displayed at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), as part of it's ArtPrize exhibition, Transformation.  

VOTE for Sojourn -- Code: 52168
Text 52168 to 808080 or
Visit artprize.org/andrea-kowch/2012/sojourn

For those not familiar with the competition, it is the world's largest art prize, held in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA, and is open to artists worldwide. The top award, $200,000 is decided by public vote.

Here are the official Rules via ArtPrize.org:

  

The Public Vote

Anyone over the age of 16 can register to vote. Votes are cast on artprize.org, via text message and mobile application.

• Round 1 (Sept. 19 – Sept. 29): 11 days to explore ArtPrize and vote for the entries you think should win.

• Round 2 (Sept. 30 – Oct. 4): 5 days to cast one vote for your favorite of the Top 10 entries.

The Juried Awards

New for ArtPrize 2012, is a $100,000 Juried Grand Prize, on par with the world’s major juried art competitions. ArtPrize also awards five additional $20,000 Juried Awards in the following categories: 2-D, 3-D, Urban Space, Time/Performance and Venue.

The Result

ArtPrize 2012: 162 venues will host 1517 artist entries.
Combining $360,000 awarded by Public Vote and a total of $200,000 in Juried Awards brings a new tension to ArtPrize. Will the juried awards stand apart from the public vote, or will the two cross paths to award a single artist an unprecedented $320,000?

If you plan on attending the event, please view Transformation at the GRAM, located at 101 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Sojourn is located on the 2nd Floor Balcony. 

It's a wonderful exhibition, and I had the pleasure of attending the Opening Preview Party on September 13th:

Looking forward to seeing all the other great stuff ArtPrize 2012 has to offer! Be sure to check it out if you are in Michigan!

Visit GRAM's official ArtPrize Profile to see all the other great entries that are showing there as well: artprize.org/grand-rapids-art-museum

ArtHamptons 2012

It's that summer time of year again! My newest work will be present at the 2012 ArtHamptons International Fine Art Fair this weekend in Bridgehampton, NY. Please be sure to visit RJD Fine Arts Gallery in Booth #16!

Once again, the big 3-day event will house art from over 70 US and international galleries, and this year's key events will include the honoring of Cheech Marin, and Ed Moses with the 2012 Arts Patron of the Year Award and 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.

if you' re in the area, don't miss it! Please visit the ArtHamptons official site for a list of exhibiting galleries, special events, show and ticket information, and more:

http://www.arthamptons.com/

ArtHamptons
July 12-15, 2012
July 12, Opening Preview
Sculpture Fields of Nova's Ark, 60 Millstone Road
Bridgehampton, NY 11932

Feature Article in American Art Collector #81 -- Out Now!

I'm very excited to be featured in the current July issue of American Art Collector. The issue is out now wherever books and magazines are sold, so be sure to grab a copy and check out the ad and article discussing my latest body of work that is to be presented at my upcoming solo exhibition, Metamorphosis of Mood, opening this August at RJD Fine Arts Gallery. 

Please visit American Art Collector online, http://www.americanartcollector.com/ to browse and order the current issue. 

A little less than a month left until showtime, folks; more to come, as I bury myself in the studio to complete the final stretch of work on this show's final piece...another large one measuring 5' x 7' ft! Stay tuned, new works will be posted soon!

"Crow's Song" wins People's Choice Award at MMA 84th Regional Exhibition!

 

I am pleased and honored to announce that Crow's Song was selected to be part of the 84th Regional Exhibition at the Muskegon Museum of Art where it took home the People's Choice Award! Open to the entire state of Michigan for the first time, 217 out of 633 submitted works were selected for the show, which opened May 31st, and will run until August 8th.

Thank You to everyone who visited the exhibition and gave me their vote! Please visit the link below for more information, including special dates and the official list of exhibiting artists, and be sure to visit the MMA to see the show!

Muskegon Museum of Art 84th Regional Exhibition, May 31-August 8, 2012

"Opaque Traveler" Out Now!

Earlier this year, I've had the distinct pleasure of teaming up again with author/poet Brian Tracy for his latest and greatest work, Opaque Traveler: A Dream Sequence in Verse. Always a fun collaboration (many of you may remember our past projects, Blackbird Ballads and The Distance Between Shores) I supplied all of the illustrations, both cover and interior, for this book. Please visit Brian's website at www.midnightteapoetry.com to learn more, and Tebot Bach to order a copy. It's a beautiful read!

The official book launch and live reading performance "An Evening of Dreams" was held on March 9th at Beyond Baroque in Venice, CA. Brian will also be doing a reading presented by Tebot Bach Series on Friday, June 29th. Be sure to check it out: http://tebotbach.org/readings.html#features

Thanks again to Brian and the rest of the team I've had the pleasure of working with again for another enjoyable collaboration!

VOTE! "Year in Review" People's Choice

My work is currently in the running for Year in Review People's Choice! Artists Wanted: A Year In Review is an "international, all-medium-encompassing open call for art with the mission of presenting a range of technique, style and narrative that captures the best emerging artists of the year". I would appreciate your votes! To participate, just follow the link, and get your vote in by Noon EST this Tuesday, February 7th. Thank you all in advance!

VOTE: http://akowch.artistswanted.org/yr2011

New work featured in "American Art Collector" Issue #75 - Out Now!

I am delighted to be featured in the January 2012 issue of American Art Collector. The issue is out now wherever books and magazines are sold, so be sure to grab a copy and check out the ad and article discussing my latest happenings and work, including my recently released set of Limited Edition prints and information regarding my upcoming solo exhibition!

Please visit American Art Collector online, http://www.americanartcollector.com/
to browse and order the current issue, and visit RJD Fine Arts Gallery to view available prints.

Signed Limited Edition Giclee Prints now available!

Over the past few months, my gallery and I have been in the process of producing the first series of art reproductions for 6 of my paintings. It's been a very exciting process, and I'm happy to announce that they are now officially available in time for the holidays!

Each of the six come archivally framed in two sizes (large and small), in a series of 20 and 25, respectively, and are signed and numbered by yours truly. Big thanks to the printers at Omega Co., NY for doing such a phenomenal job replicating every detail. The final results look amazing, and I'm so pleased they are now available to those of you who have inquired about prints in the past.

Click here to view the selected editions and their specific sizes, and contact art@rjdgallery.com with any inquiries.

For those who wish to view the framed giclees in person, they will be on display at RJD Fine Arts Gallery in Sag Harbor (90 Main Street) beginning November 8th, with an opening reception on November 19th, 6-8pm.

In other news, new work is on the easel, and I'm looking forward to sharing it here very soon!

"Sojourn" featured on Cover of "Direct Art" Vol. 18 - Out Now!

Get your copy! I am incredibly honored to have had my work selected for the Cover feature of this year's volume of Direct Art Magazine. A leading alternative fine art magazine published annually by SlowArt Productions, featured artists are selected through an international talent search, and offer their own commentaries directly to the public through its pages. It's a very cool publication born out of the concept of connecting artists with readers one-on-one (learn more here).

Pick up a copy at your local magazine or bookstore, or visit Direct Art online to order, and check out the mag's main feature where I share many of my latest insights and inspiration behind my newest works.

Southwest Art Magazine's "21 Under 31"

For those who may have not yet heard the news nor seen this month's September Issue of Southwest Art, be sure to check it out, on newsstands now! I am honored to be among the 21 selected artists featured in this year's annual emerging artist spotlight. I always read these issues back when I was a student. Surreal! Congrats to all my fellow honorees!

Visit Southwest Art Magazine online for a sneak peek to learn more, and your local bookstore where magazines are sold.

Southwest Art // 21 Under 31 Winners

A Big "Thank You" to All

Another solo show has come and gone, and I wanted to give my overdue heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who attended and were involved with my opening this past July. I loved meeting each and every one of you and couldn't have asked for a better show! It was magical. HUGE thanks once again to everyone at my gallery, RJD Fine Arts, Richard Demato and Harriet Sawyer for their amazing hospitality, support, and guidance, and my collectors and supporters. You all help keep me going in so many ways, words cannot describe. Thank YOU!

Last but not least, those near and dear to me: my parents, brother, close friends, and models/muses, Jennifer and Natalia -- for being the ones who ultimately understand and accept me and my long, broody disappearances into the studio. Thank you from the bottom of my soul.

Alas, after a short break back in July, things have been alive and well again in the studio these past several weeks, hence my absence from the virtual world, and I'm looking forward to sharing more cool news and the next series of paintings that are currently coming into progress! Autumn is in the air, and never ceases to inspire!

For those who missed it, photos from the exhibition can be viewed on Flickr: Andrea Kowch 2011 Solo Exhibition

Stay tuned, everybody :)

-AK

"The Feast" Wins 2011 Art Kudos International!

I'm extremely excited and pleased to announce that The Feast was selected as this year's top winner, Best of Show, in the 2011 Art Kudos International Juried Exhibition!

The online exhibition, unveiled on August 15th, will be on view at the Art Kudos website year-long. Please visit http://www.artkudos.com/ to take a look at this year's stunning array of works, juried by Holly Koons McCullough, former Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah, GA. The show presents 157 artists from 23 countries. I am humbled and beyond honored!

Two additional works, Sojourn and Whirlwind, have also been selected for inclusion. Be sure to check out the whole show!

Newsday, Whitewall, & K+R Magazine

Some very cool NYC publications recently reviewed my Sag Harbor exhibition and showing in this year's ArtHamptons, so if you haven't seen them, please check out this past week's Newsday, Whitewall, and K+R Magazine. Big thanks to these publications for the great features, I'm honored!

If you don't receive these publications in your area, you can visit them and view the articles online:

Newsday // Art: Andrea Kowch show in Sag Harbor

Whitewall, Contemporary Art & Lifestyle Magazine // ArtHamptons 2011

Karin + Raoul // Exhibition: RJD Gallery presents Paintings by Andrea Kowch

Artist A Day

I am pleased to be featured on the website Artist A Day, a huge online global art community whose mission is to raise awareness of the fine art world at large and connect artists and their work with those who love art. Thanks to Artist A Day and all who commented and sent me emails, and took a moment to view my work!

Check it all out here: Artist A Day: Andrea Kowch

ArtHamptons 2011

Some of my latest work will be shown at the 2011 ArtHamptons International Fine Art Fair this weekend in Bridgehampton, NY. Please be sure to visit RJD Fine Arts Gallery in Booth #108!



See my ad (above) in this month's issue of American Art Collector (#69). The big, 3-day event will house art from over 70 US and international galleries, and special events will include the honoring of Russell Simmons and Danny Simmons, and abstract expressionist Mary Abbot with the 2011 Arts Patron of the Year Award and 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.

Please visit the ArtHamptons official site for a list of exhibiting galleries, special events, show and ticket information, and more:

http://www.arthamptons.com/

ArtHamptons
July 8-10, 2011
July 7, Opening Preview
Sayre Park, 154 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton, NY

"Sojourn" featured on Cover of American Art Collector #69 - Out Now!

I am amazed to announce that Sojourn has been chosen to grace the cover of this month's July #69 issue of American Art Collector! Pick up a copy, available on newsstands wherever books and magazines are sold! It's a great issue that includes coverage of the upcoming 2011 ArtHamptons Fine Art Fair, which my work will be a part of, and also profiles Russell Simmons as this month's featured art collector. Be sure to check out the article previewing my new work and upcoming show!

Show work is now complete (will post soon!) and the opening is just around the corner. I can't wait, and want to give thanks to all the recent magazines and press for their support, and of course, my gallery, collectors, fans, family and friends. You all help make everything even more worthwhile.

More updates to come as I gear up for summer! Please visit American Art Collector online, http://www.americanartcollector.com/ to browse the current issue, and http://www.rjdgallery.com/ to view some of the new work! I am looking forward to meeting many of you in a few weeks!

Punk Soul Poet

Big thanks to the editors behind Punk Soul Poet for inviting me to be a part of their launch issue. A new, LA-based virtual art and literary mag, Punk Soul Poet is devoted to art, the written word, and the punk soul, with the mission of "strengthen[ing] the bond between the arts" in true "punk" spirit, naming "Patti Smith, Oscar Wilde, Spalding Gray, Frida Kahlo, Hunter S. Thompson, and Jim Carroll, among others" as role models.

I was honored and happy to have my work serve as the subject for poetry featured in this issue, and fell in love with the poets' various interpretations of the paintings. Congrats to the poets whose submissions were selected for the article: Ariel Jastromb, Jenna Schlosbon, Katie G, Laurie Foster Palmer, and Cassie Ann Ross. They were a joy to read!

Check it all out here -- Punk Soul Poet: Inspired by artist Andrea Kowch

Official Site -- http://www.punksoulpoet.com/

CCS: 50 Alumni Stories

I'm very proud and honored to have been featured in my alma mater's (CCS) recent publication, 50 CCS Alumni Stories: A Look Into Your Future -- a great little volume documenting an amazing group of recent and past grads. Hats off to my fellow alums; it's always so cool to be counted among such a rad group of artists and creatives.

Art featured in .Cent Magazine (UK)

See my art featured in the current issue (#17) of .Cent Magazine (UK), the London-based bi-annual publication devoted to the modern world of art, culture, architecture, music, and fashion. Guest-edited by photographer and curator, Minnie Weisz, the issue "Seeing Stories, Telling Pictures" is OUT NOW and available for order online, both in Print and Digital formats, through the .Cent Shop! Big thanks to the .Cent team for inviting me to be a part of this issue. Get your copy and visit the site to see and learn more about the art and articles featured in this issue!