The Sculpture Walk had a record 43 applications from artists this year, and 16 new sculptures were selected. They join about two dozen pieces that are permanently on display.
Bemidji Sculpture Walk celebrates 25th anniversary with 16 new displays
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Finding pride and community on the ‘gay streets’ of 1980s America
In the early 1980s, photographer Nicholas Blair took to the streets of San Francisco and New York City, capturing intimate moments between gay and lesbian people during political marches and early iterations of Pride parades.
Just over a decade after the historic Stonewall Rebellion, a young Blair began his street photography career documenting an unprecedented moment of LGBTQ visibility in American society: bold, public displays of affection, celebratory community events and rallies promoting gay liberation. In his debut photo book, “Castro to Christopher,” whose title references Castro Street in San Francisco and Christopher Street in New York City, Blair shares selections of what he calls “a very large coming-out party.”
“When I was living in San Francisco at that time and was witnessing what was going on around me, it seemed very unique and very special. And I think that holds true to this day,” Blair told CNN in a phone interview. “And now that we’re having so much political blowback against the LGBTQ community, it just seemed like it was important to get this work out.”
People attend a Pride parade in San Francisco, 1982
People attend a Pride march in New York City, 1984
In 1978, shortly after dropping out of high school, Blair left his home in New York City and hitchhiked across Latin America — as far as Buenos Aires — before landing back in the US in a hippie arts commune in San Francisco.
It was there, shortly after the assassination of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to office in California, that Blair became acutely aware of the blowback the LGBTQ community was facing in response to their growing visibility, even in a city that had largely gained a reputation for welcoming queer people. He took his Leica rangefinder camera and began to document this dichotomy.
“I’d always looked at San Francisco as being a very libertarian place. We were in the last session of the hippie movement. We had long hair,” Blair explained. “And then all of a sudden, this murder took place, and it was a real wake-up call.”
Women ride a ferry in San Francisco Bay, 1980
Revelers — in costumes that appear to critique spending on the US military — on Halloween in Christopher Street, New York City, 1986
His candid black-and-white photography documents fleeting (but timeless) moments of self-expression, sexual tension and empowered activism. In photos taken at Halloween parades, he captured partygoers transgressing gender binaries in flamboyant, scantily clad costumes; at Pride events, he shot photos of couples holding hands, embracing each other and sharing kisses in public.
“There was an incredible feeling of joy, of energy, of humor, of just incredible social currents. It was just a wonderful place to be and hang out and photograph… and you just never knew what could be coming down the street,” Blair said.
“It could be a guy dressed up in leather with a little leather dog, or it could be three drag queens, or it could just be somebody taking out their laundry… and you would not necessarily know that they were gay unless you were kind of attuned to it.”
On the beach in Provincetown, Massachusetts, 1983
On Christopher Street, New York City, 1983
Notably, Blair was cognizant of including photos of queer women in his work, even if they weren’t as outwardly visible as the men during that time. “They tended to be not as ostentatious, a little quieter, a little more laid back,” he noted.
After some of his photos were published in the historic LGBTQ magazine The Advocate in 1984, Blair expanded his project to Provincetown, Massachusetts, and Fire Island, New York, to capture the culture of these storied travel destinations still frequented by many LGBTQ people today.
Although he is not part of the LGBTQ community, Blair says the photo subjects welcomed him: “I was surprised that more people weren’t reticent about getting photographed, feeling like maybe they didn’t want to be outed. I don’t think anybody ever was upset at having me take their picture, and more often than not, they would want to be photographed,” he explained, adding that he still “thanks the gay community for presenting this opportunity to me.”
Notably, one of the last chapters in his book captures the first large-scale AIDS candle vigil in San Francisco in 1983 — amid a community already in mourning, just a few years before the disease ravaged a generation of LGBTQ people. “If it wasn’t for AIDS, who knows what would’ve happened in terms of the gay liberation movement and people,” he shared, recognizing that so many people who died could — and would — have been artists, activists and leaders promoting the cause. “It really set the community back.”
It’s Blair’s capturing of the vigil in particular that helps cement “Castro to Christopher” as a vivid time capsule of gay life before marriage equality, HIV prevention medication and the boom of trans visibility.
In its pages, viewers are invited to reflect on the past while understanding how it has influenced our present. It is a tribute to a generation — in many respects the first — of LGBTQ people whose lives and experiences shaped queer life today, in remembrance not just of their painful moments but of the pockets of joy, celebration and resistance they claimed in their lives, their loves — and in the streets.
Planning your maternity photoshoot? A celeb photographer shares her best tips
Beka Price has made it her mission to celebrate and immortalize one of life’s most profound yet fleeting moments: the journey of pregnancy. As a renowned maternity photographer based in Utah, Price has a unique blend of creativity, sensitivity and technical mastery that shines through in her gorgeous photos. Her stunning maternity and newborn portraits highlight the strength and beauty of motherhood, which has made her the go-to choice for a wide range of clients, including Olympic gymnast Mykayla Skinner and NFL player Pharaoh Brown.
“I was always fascinated with everything related to pregnancy and childbirth, and naturally felt connected with other women while going through pregnancy myself. I was fortunate to have had great pregnancies, so I wanted to somehow help other women enjoy that time, too,” Price says.
When Price was pregnant, maternity photos weren’t super popular, she says, but she knew she wanted to capture the progress of her growing belly. “I had a simple point-and-shoot camera that I used to take a quick photo every week,” she shares, which sparked her interest in specializing in maternity photography in her career. Now, she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. “Being with other women during this often challenging time and helping them feel beautiful, confident and registering these memories is truly a joy for me,” she says. If she ever were to retire from photography, she’d become a midwife or doula, she posits.
From styling tips to day-of guidance, Price shares her best advice to thoughtfully plan your maternity photoshoot experience—and make sure that the resulting photos are ones to treasure.
Take the time to celebrate yourself
On the fence about booking a shoot? Take the leap, Price stresses. “A maternity photoshoot can be all about the mother, to celebrate her body and the journey of growing a baby. The mother deserves to be celebrated even if this isn’t her first or last baby,” she notes. “I know many women don’t feel beautiful or comfortable around this time, but even still: do the photos, wear the gowns, show your bump. You will be happy you did it!” she shares. A lot of times we don’t realize how fast time passes until it’s gone—and you can’t get that moment back, Price says.
Remember that photographs are forever
Consider your maternity shoot an archive for the future—and even an heirloom to pass down. “Photographs are passed on through generations, and mothers can have a special bond with their children through photographs,” Price explains. “They can tell a story and bring back feelings that may have once been forgotten. It is a very special feeling to be able to look back 5 or 10 years and get to relive those moments through photos.”
Find a dedicated maternity photographer
Do find a photographer who specializes in maternity photography, because those professionals are more experienced in posing and working the best angles so your photos truly show the best version of yourself, Price shares. “It’s important to hire someone who will listen to your wishes and vision. If you don’t have something in mind, a photographer who has great taste and style is the best decision.” It’s also helpful to find a photographer who has a large assortment of clothing available [gowns, dresses, bodysuits, tops, etc.], so you don’t have to worry about looking for and/or purchasing items for your session.” If that’s not an option, consider asking friends and family to borrow something or contacting a local stylist in your area who might be able to help source options.
Lean into your aesthetic
Whether you love lush florals or serene neutrals or dreamy textures, pick a style that speaks to you (try scouring Pinterest for inspo!) and communicate that to your photographer in advance, who can help hone in on your defined aesthetic so you’re happy with the end result. “A lot of my clients have been requesting flowers and fabrics for a very romantic style, but also I continue to hear requests for classic, timeless, clean and modern looks which will always be in style,” Price shares.
Book during the sweet spot
If you can, Price suggests booking your shoot between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. “It’s usually when the belly is big and round enough to show on photos but not so big that it is uncomfortable to pose and stand for a longer period of time.”
Of course, this is just a suggestion, Price adds, but your photographer should be able to adjust to your specific needs and situation.
Consider using a hair and makeup team
Having a pro handle your hair and makeup can also take some of the pressure off and help you feel your most confident on your big day. That way, “you can just enjoy and relax during your photoshoot,” Price shares. Ask your photographer for recommendations, or reach out to friends or family who may have had shoots done, too. Then, when the big day comes, soak up every minute!
See massive new sculptures in New Windsor next week
A master of sculpting on a grand scale…
June 2024 Opportunities: Open Calls, Residencies, and Grants for Artists
George B. Cornish, “A Car Load of Texas Corn” (ca. 1910). Via The Met
Every month, Colossal shares a selection of opportunities for artists and designers, including open calls, grants, fellowships, and residencies. If you’d like to list an opportunity here, please get in touch at hello@colossal.art. You can also join our monthly Opportunities Newsletter.
$1,800 Innovate Grants for Art + PhotoFeatured
Innovate Grant awards two $1,800 grants each quarter to one visual artist and one photographer. In addition, twelve applicants will receive honorable mentions, be featured on the website, and join a growing community. International artists and photographers working in any medium are eligible.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. PST on June 20, 2024.
VH AWARD for Emerging Asian Media Artists Featured
The five finalists for this award by Hyundai Motor Group will each receive $25,000 in production grants and participate in an online residency program with Eyebeam. The Grand Prix recipient will be awarded an additional $25,000. Read more on Colossal.
Deadline: 11 a.m. EDT/12 a.m. KST on July 5, 2024.
Open Calls
Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue: An International Wheatpaste Show (International)
Tattooed Mom and Doomed Future are teaming up on a wheatpaste exhibition opening June 14 in Philadelphia. First-time and established artists are invited to submit works.
Deadline: June 1, 2024.
2024 Booooooom Art & Photo Book Award (International)
Artists, photographers, and illustrators are invited to submit cohesive bodies of work they’d like to see turned into a book. Six projects will be selected for publishing at no cost.
Deadline: June 7, 2024.
LUAP Pink Bear Scholarships (International)
The University of Europe will grant 17 scholarships, two of which are full scholarships, totaling €250,000 in collaboration with the artist LUAP. Applicants must have a high school degree and need funding.
Opens: June 7, 2024.
2025 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Visual Arts and Curatorial Work (International)
Open to artists and curators born outside the U.S. to non-American parents, the Vilcek Prize will grant six $50,000 awards to immigrants under 38.
Deadline: June 10, 2024.
Orbitals (International)
Open to applicants from or living in the Arab world, this program takes four curators, artists, and arts researchers to Indonesia to for an eight-day trip to learn about a different artistic context in the Global South and share this knowledge with their communities. Flights, travel insurance, accommodation, per diems, and visa reimbursements will be provided.
Deadline: June 15, 2024.
Midwest Open (Midwest)
Chicago’s Woman Made Gallery hosts the annual Midwest Open to highlight the work of women and nonbinary artists. All media and subject matter will be considered. There is a $35 application fee.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. CT on June 29, 2024.
Fiberart International 2025 Call for Entry (International)
Contemporary Craft and Brew House Art have teamed up for the 25th Fiberart International, which invites fiber artists to submit their work for a group exhibition in Pittsburgh. One winner will receive a $5,000 award, and there is a $45 entry fee.
Deadline: June 30, 2024.
The 15th Epson International Pano Awards (International)
This award is dedicated to the art and craft of panoramic photography and has a prize pool of $50,000. Entry fees are $20 to $22 per image.
Deadline: The early bird is midnight UTC-11 on June 24, 2024, and the final is midnight UTC-11 on July 15, 2024.
Arte Laguna Prize (International)
In its 19th year, this annual prize is open to artists and designers working in painting, sculpture, installation, photography, video and films, performance and acting, digital art, digital graphics, cartoons, environmental and land art, street art, and design. One winner will receive €10,000 and an exhibition. Entry fees range from €97.60 to €122.
Deadline: July 31, 2024.
Prisma Art Prize (International)
This annual art prize is open to artists working in painting, engraving, and drawing and offers exhibition opportunities and €2,300 in cash awards annually. There is a €29 entry fee.
Deadline: August 3, 2024.
The Bennett Prize (International)
Women figurative realist painters are eligible for this prize, which offers one winner $50,000 and a solo show, with an additional finalist receiving $10,000. There is a $40 application fee.
Deadline: October 4, 2024.
Passepartout Photo Prize (International)
Open to any style, process, or subject matter, this annual prize offers €500, an exhibition in Rome, and a publication. Enter before June 10, 2024, for the early fee of €20.
Deadline: October 7, 2024.
NSMA International Painting Competition (International)
Open to professionals and students, this competition focuses on contemporary realism in painting, and all subject matter is welcome. One winner will receive $25,000, and finalists will be exhibited at the New Salem Museum and Academy of Fine Art.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. EST on January 15, 2025.
Grants
Thrive Grants (Oklahoma)
Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition will award $5,000 and $10,000 grants to several artist-led, collaborative projects culminating in a public-facing program. A total of $60,000 is available.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. CT on June 1, 2024.
Dreamers in Residency (Chicago)
Soho House is collaborating with Porsche on an inaugural grant program for mid-career artists. Winners will receive cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 along with exhibition opportunities.
Deadline: 12 p.m. CT on June 10, 2024.
2024 Robert Giard Grant for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers (International)
Queer|Art’s first international grant provides $10,000 to one winner and $1,250 to finalists to support the creation of projects addressing issues of sexuality, gender, or LGBTQ+ identity.
Deadline: June 30, 2024.
2024 Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists (International)
In its fifth year, this grant supports visual artists who are self-identified Black trans women and awards $10,000 to one winner and $1,250 to finalists.
Deadline: June 30, 2024.
The Adolf and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant (International)
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program provides one-time interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs resulted from an unforeseen catastrophic incident and who lack the resources to meet that situation. Awardees typically receive $5,000, up to $15,000.
Deadline: Rolling.
Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund (Ukraine)
Adobe’s Creative Residency Community Fund commissions visual artists to create company projects on a rolling basis. Awardees will receive between $500 and $5,000.
Deadline: Rolling.
Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant (International)
The foundation welcomes applications from actively exhibiting visual artists who are painters, sculptors, and artists who work on paper, including printmakers. Grants are intended for one year and range up to $50,000. The individual circumstances of the artist determine the size of the grant, and professional exhibition history will be considered.
Deadline: Rolling.
Residencies, Fellowships, & More
The Farm Margaret River Residency (International)
This residency tasks artists with creating a site-specific artwork informed by the environment. Spanning eight weeks, the program offers studios, accommodation, support for travel, and a $7,500 grant.
Deadline: 5 p.m. AWST on June 2, 2024.
1708 Pilot Artist Residency Program (International)
This residency provides visual artists free one- to three-month stays in Richmond, Virginia. Chosen applicants receive a private live/work space, a $1,000 monthly stipend, basic equipment, and professional development opportunities.
Deadline: June 2, 2024.
Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture Residency (International)
Artists, scholars, scientists, and researchers are invited to apply for two- to four-week residencies under the theme of care and stewardship. Residents receive shared housing and studio space. Travel reimbursements are also available.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. PST on June 30, 2024.
Penland School of Craft (International)
This program is for professional craft artists who are at a pivotal moment in their practice or career. Depending on the applicant’s goals, there are two options: a one-year project-based residency, and a three-year career transition residency. Chosen artists receive housing and studio space.
Deadline: July 2, 2024.
Ucross Artist Residencies (International)
Open to visual artists, writers, composers, choreographers, interdisciplinary artists, performance artists, and collaborative teams, this residency offers private studios, meals, a $1,500 stipend, and housing. There’s a $40 application fee.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. MDT on July 15, 2024.
Loghaven Artist Residency (International)
Emerging and established artists working in architecture, dance, interdisciplinary art, music, theater, visual art, and writing are eligible to apply. Residents receive an $850 per week stipend, travel and freight funding, lodging, and studio space.
Deadline: July 15, 2024.
2024 ICCI ART VALLEY PROGRAM Visiting Artists (International)
Five artists and scholars will be invited to Shanghai for a residency from November 1 to December 15, 2024. Residents will participate in public workshops and lectures, exhibit their works, and receive housing, airfare, ¥10,000, and more.
Deadline: August 5, 2024.
The Hodder Fellowship (International)
Open across disciplines, this fellowship provides $90,000 to artists who spend ten months at Princeton University. No formal teaching is required.
Deadline: Mid-September 2024.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article June 2024 Opportunities: Open Calls, Residencies, and Grants for Artists appeared first on Colossal.
Sand sculptor to work ‘Riv-Erie’ at Widewaters Marina
The “Rivi-Erie” is a biannual tradition from the Lockport Public Arts Council where 40 tons of sand is brought to the man-made beach along the Erie Canal on East Market
Why 2024 Sovereign Asian Art Prize winner made a blood-red marble sculpture
‘A very innocent shape paired with a grotesque material’ is how Pakistani artist Sameen Agha describes her prize-winning sculpture – a comment on domestic violence against women.
Julian Lennon exhibits his photography in Venice this summer, as he continues to distance himself from his father’s legacy
“I have always felt that I have observed life in a different way from others. Music has always been one creative outlet for me, but now I’m happy to add another one too, that being photography.” Julian Lennon
Julian Lennon, the first son of Beatle John Lennon, is set to show his new photography exhibition entitled ‘Whispers – A Julian Lennon Retrospective’, at the Le Stanze della Fotografia, Venice, Italy, this summer.
The exhibition will be open to the public from August 28 to November 24, 2024.
Curated by Lennon and creative associate Sandrina Bonetti Rubelli, the exhibition showcases a body of work that spans Lennon’s artistic journey, from his early days in music, to his move into photography.
Through this retrospective exhibition, visitors will be able to view the evolution of Lennon’s artistic journey, and emancipation from his fathers legacy.
Lennon’s photographic career began in 2010 with the opening of ‘Timeless: The Photography of Julian Lennon’ at New York’s Morrison Hotel Gallery. The photos were divided into two categories: landscapes and portraits, including photographs of celebrity friends such as U2 and actress Kate Hudson.
Lennon said he became serious about his hobby when he spent two weeks on the road with his brother Sean Lennon, as he toured Eastern Europe with his band.
“I surprised him on the road,” Lennon says, “I literally turned up at a gig.”
Lennon has said in various interviews that he uses a range of cameras including the Sony A7R IV and Leica Q2, the Fujifilm GFX 50S, Leica V-Lux and the M10-R models.
In an interview with Interiors Magazine Lennon said:
“In the past, I shot with a Canon 5D Mark IV. I also take a large amount of photos on my iPhone, if that’s all I have with me at the time.”
Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2010 about the freedom he finds through photography Lennon said:
“My dad wasn’t really a photographer, so it just allows me to breathe a little more. He used to take a couple Polaroid’s, but it wasn’t a potential career. This is my own thing.”
Lennon had a strained relationship with his father at times, who divorced his mother Cynthia to be with Yoko Ono, who Lennon was having an affair with.
In an interview with journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy for Channel 4 in 2022, Lennon explains that his original name when born was John Charles Julian Lennon.
He said: “I was tired of being the second John, so to speak, so by deed poll in 2020 I just switched the John and the Julian, to finally put myself first.”
If you’re interested in taking up or improving your portrait photography take a look at the best cameras for portraits.
Renewed Plans For Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park To Boost Edmond’s Outdoor Landscape
After stalling last year, Edmond’s Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park project is back on track. The city will invest up to $15 million for the property.
Southern Lehigh High School Graduation
Southern Lehigh High School held its graduation Friday, May 31, 2024, at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem.
See photos below.
