Calls to Entry
Entering prestigious shows is perhaps one of the best ways to publicize your art and gain recognition. In the highly subjective world of art, it is a quantifiable statement of quality to say, "I was accepted" or "I won First Place" and often opens many doors beyond prize money and resumé padding. Often, a big win in a show leads to opportunities such as gallery representation, important commissions, press coverage and can even be the turning point in an artist's career. So, it is important to enter shows.The Cecilia Beaux Forum keeps members up to date on Calls for Entry to National and International Shows that may be of interest to Painters of Portraits. Links and posts are updated daily via the Facebook group (Portrait Society Cecilia Beaux Forum), where members can post local exhibitions in their area too. Since the Facebook page allows artists to connect with each other, past entrants and winners can weigh in with their experiences too. Larger competitions are also listed in the eNews which CBF members receive quarterly.
Inspiring Figures
Inspiring Figures was an exhibition and series of educational events that showed at the Butler Institute of American Art September 12 - October 31, 2010. The collection of 38 artworks featured in the show was that of historic female painters from the Butler collection (Cecilia Beaux, among others), invited contemporary figurative artists and figurative work juried in by an international competition. This celebration of female talent offer a panoramic perspective of American women's roles as sources of inspiration and as mentors cultivating a culture of excellence.Inspiring Figures also included multi-media educational programs and materials, explored the roles of American women artists as innovators, sources of inspiration and mentors.
Educational Programs
In addition to the art works included in the exhibition, the Committee organized a series of educational activities, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts:Guest Lecture The Politics of Portraiture: Cecilia Beaux, Mary Cassatt, and Thomas Eakins by Sylvia Yount, Louise B. and J. Cochrane Curator of American Art, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Film Viewing ─ Who Does She Think She Is? A film viewing of the feature length documentary film directed by Pamela Boll which offers insight into the lives of five women artists from across the USA.
Artist Panel: Leslie Adams, Ellen Cooper , Catherine Prescott, Lea Collie Wight A panel of artists from the Inspiring Figures exhibit discussed their approach to the creative process and how they overcame challenges in their artwork and profession.
Live Demonstration Judith Carducci demonstrated her technique for creating a figurative work, including concerns of palette, lighting and interacting with the sitter.
Portrait Academy featured a Portrait Demonstration by Dawn Whitelaw and a full-day workshop with Dawn Whitelaw and Judith Carducci
Invited Artist Panel: Wende Caporale, Rose Frantzen, Nancy Guzik, Rhoda Sherbell Invitational artists from the Inspiring Figures exhibit ended the opening celebration with an educational discussion and Q&A on technique, inspiration and creative vision.
Family Fun Day provided a coloring book, scavenger hunt and portrait project at two Family Fun Days for K-12 students and visiting families.
Dial-In Art We used interactive technology to offer museum-goers and individuals with catalogs the opportunity to hear each artist discuss their work, technique and vision by simply dialing a toll-free number
