Dustin Harewood’s Recent Portraits Exhibition - Feb 11 @ The Art Institute of Jacksonville

The Gallery Group at The Art Institute of Jacksonville will host the opening reception for the exhibition of local artist Dustin Harewood’s Recent Portraits on Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 5 PM to 7 PM.

Dustin Harewood’s large-scale portraits explore the complexity of the common gaze; a gaze that can magnify both expression and vacancy. These never-seen-before works are a shift from the popular abstract paintings that have become a signature of Mr. Harewood.

“For the past six months I have worked on a show of portraits. All information that I have deemed unnecessary has been removed. The result is an isolation and examination of the most important and expressive part of the human body: the head,” said Harewood. “The people I have chosen to draw have all fascinated me at one time or another. Some are well known celebrities while others are local artists, who in my opinion should be considered just as important,” added Harewood.

The Gallery Group is a focus group of Graphic Design and Web Design & Interactive Media students responsible for curating, installing and advertising exhibitions throughout the school year. Students develop a concept, research artists and curate each exhibition with the intention of further defining the relationship between “fine art” and design.

The opening reception will include light refreshments and an opportunity for those in attendance to speak with Harewood about his work. The works will be displayed in The Art Institute of Jacksonville Gallery from February 11, 2010 through March 22, 2010. The Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 8 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM until 4 PM.

Getting Around (artisticly)

I've always been a fan of making your own path and doing your own thing. The next step I am working towards on my own path is to spend my summers traveling to art markets and festivals sharing my art.

Seems easy right?!

Well anything worth doing is worth doing right. Also, I am a stickler for presentation so I don't want my stuff to look half a... ny way. I thought I'd chronicle my own adventure in getting into the art festival scene to hopefully help future artists who dare to traverse the same path.

I've already learned an important lesson to pass along, FIND ART FESTIVALS EARLY . I started this endeavor as a part of my New Year's resolutions and quickly learned that many applications are due through out January. YIKES! One of the shows I attended last year and hoped to be a part of this year has a deadline in 2 weeks. As part of the application I would need to photograph my booth... which I don't have. Given the time it will take to select a tent, decide on a system to display my art, get it all shipped to me, and come up with a stellar presentation, I think I'll miss this first one. LESSON LEARNED.

So rolling with the punches I am researching more shows with later deadlines. Simple first step = GOOGLE! I have found a enough shows within a few hundred miles that I still have time to apply to.

Now to decide on presentation. I have read great things about Flourish canopies (http://www.flourish.com/), but the price tag is a little high. I want quality, but this may have to wait until we see how successful the festivals are for me. I am currently trying to decide between an EZ up and a Caravan I can get either for a decent price at http://www.elitedeals.com/canopy.html.

I also have to figure out the display system, at first I was thinking of building something, but I have read SO many horror stories. I love the look of Pro Panels, but again the price tag is high for my first go round with the Art Festivals.

So my first step in the process is to decide these two things... hmmm....
well off to do dome research.

-jab