| CALLS FOR ENTRY |

Diego Rivera Tenochtitlan National Palace

Key Dates are as follows:
Artwork Drop-Off: Thursday, September 9,, 2010 from11am-6pm
Artwork Pick-Up Date: Sunday, October 17, 2010 from 4pm-5pm
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 6pm-10pm
Exhibit Runs: September 12- October 17, 2010

For more information and to view a prospectus click here.

The gallery is located in Hyattsville’s new Arts District at 5702 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD, 20781. Contact the gallery at (301) 779-4907 or (202) 446-7373 and by email at info@designstudioartgallery.com  Regular hours are Wed - Fri 11am - 7pm, Sat 10am -5pm, Sun 1pm - 5pm

So I already have a job, and it's a good one, and I like it, and all the rest. But, I would really like to walk into Georgetown Cupcakes, and tell them "put me on the TV."

You see, this week Georgetown Cupcakes posted on Facebook that they will be hiring a full-time manager and part-time sales reps. I've been preparing my whole life for those gigs. Essentially every part of my experience as a human being has prepared me to be in the cupcake sales business. So despite the fact that I won't be applying for employment opportunities with Georgetown Cupcakes, I can't stop from imagining myself in the position. I've compiled a list of reasons why I'm perfect for the job, and if I were going to apply, this is what I would say:

1) I know the competition.

I can guarantee that one thing I have above any other applicant is the sheer volume of cupcakes I have consumed in my lifetime. It could take someone years to catch up to the amount of cupcakes I've had the opportunity to sample. And when it comes to DC cupcakes, I've already ranked and assessed the competition. Based on that information, I could do a SWAT analysis for Georgetown Cupcakes so fast that's it's unreasonable. Things they could do: vegan and gluten free offerings, mobile cupcakes, and in store cupcake making classes. I know about cupcakes.

And while Georgetown Cupcakes is the obvious top dog on the DC cupcakes scene, some NYC cupcakes are currently crossing into DC cupcake turf. That's right, Crumbs is coming to town. Georgetown Cupcakes shouldn't sleep easy just yet.

2) I actually don't care that much about being on TV.

The major perk of the job for me would be the cupcakes, not the reality television. In general, I care way more about cupcakes than I do about television. In fact, I generally disagree with reality television. I disagree with it about as much as I disagree with the idea of putting the internet on my phone. I think its gross. So you wouldn't find me distracted by the fact that Georgetown Cupcakes has had a wildly popular, yet fairly mediocre television show. Ain't no thing. Just give me a little free product and I'm on board. But if you put a camera in front of my face, I swear to God I'll work it.

3) I have experience in selling high end sweets.

It's true. In an act of making my dreams reality, I got a summer job working for a candy store in the Pentagon. The place is called Edward Marc Chocolatier, and it's where I sell people sugar all day long. I help people win the battle against reasonable adulthood to gain the courage to break their diets and buy way more candy than is necessary. And I know how this battle works because all day long my brain is in a battle about just how much sugar to consume. The answer is always lots. You deserve it.

4) I believe in cupcakes like I believe in me.

Think cupcakes are just a trend? That's like saying that fast food is just a trend. Or that America is just a trend. People are far too individualistic (and selfish) to want to share their cake. Now I don't think that all of these 10,000 cupcakes shops in DC will survive, but I do think cupcakes are here to stay. So don't believe the things you hear about frozen yogurt.

5) I'm not Georgetown Cupcakes' biggest fan.

I think I've made it obvious in previous posts that I can be critical of Georgetown Cupcakes. Right, they have delicious-insane cupcakes. But I think I could help Georgetown Cupcakes reach people who aren't interested in the hyper-bougie elite yupster feel. Just saying.

6) I would never work harder for anything in my life.

Like I've said, I really like cupcakes.

  | EVENTS |

| OPENINGS |

If you are really planning to visit the beautiful city of Washington Dc, then it is advisable to hire the services of some travel and tourism in this regard. They will really help you in locating the best and good places which are considered as the trade mark of Washington DC. In the tourist package, all the major momentums and memorials are fully and exclusively included in one whole day tour.

Many people took their private tour with Anthony pitch. The reason for their tour done with Anthony pitch is that he is a very good, informative and knowledgeable story teller. Those people who arrange their tour with him will surely have a great time at each and every aspect and they will really feel good while investing their money with Anthony pitch tours. Currently, he is also writing book about the Lincoln Assassination. Apart from that, people really enjoy his company and the friendly atmosphere that he creates to entertain the tourists. So, if you are planning to visit the beautiful places, then make your reservations with him today without wasting a single second as you will enjoy with him to the fullest for sure.

Address: 2022 Columbia Road NW Washington DC, DC.

For anyone who is a Jasper Johns aficionado, this is a wonderful exploration of a very specific moment in the body of Johns’ work. The show, organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, does exactly what it sets out to do –to explore, through some 80+ works, a handful of specific themes which occur in the work of Jasper Johns during the period between 1955 and 1965.

The first of these themes is the target. This introductory section of the show showcases the iconic images of Johns’ target phase and boosts many wonderful large format oils alongside sketches Johns used as guidelines during this infamous period of his artistic exploration. Some of the highlights here include probably his most famous from this time, “Target with Plaster Casts” (1955) in which plaster casts of various human body parts in a rainbow of colors, are displayed above a yellow and blue target in a frieze-like manner. There is also a rather charming do-it-yourself version of the famous target motif which includes a blank drawing of a target, a paint brush and the three brightly colored paints (in red, blue and yellow) needed for one to make their own Jasper Johns target painting.

The show then brings into incorporation with the target, a more involved motif explored by Johns at this time – the use of words, specifically, the words for colors such as: “Yellow”, “Red”, “Blue”, “Orange” and “Grey”, juxtaposed on canvases which are ridden with splotchy color patterns. This “False Start” series is at times narrative and at times ironic as some of the larger works which incorporate words such as “Yellow” or “Red” are painted fully in grey scale.

The next feature as you move to the upstairs gallery space is Johns’ famous “Device” series in which we see Johns incorporating the “process” element – an element which Johns would continue to explore throughout his career. Although chronologically, this series is placed correctly in the show, its effect may have been superior had it been placed next to the “target” series because of the direct link which Johns makes between these two ideas. Much of the device series includes a “device” similar to that which Johns would have used in creating the concentric circles of his many targets. This ruler like device was also used by Johns as a means of a “scraper” – a flat tool used by an artist to “scrape” away paint from the canvas. From these more cerebral works one is able to see Johns’ intrigue with the idea of process in his art work. The focus on color and form are now secondary to the fascination with tools and their mechanics. Here we begin to see Johns’ ideas of art as a mechanical process and the artist as master of the application of process rather than a fully creative being.

Before reaching the final gallery space, there is a break in the exhibition which features large photos of Johns working in his studio. These photos depict the serious nature of Johns, who is never photographed smiling, but is instead shown intensely at work in his barren studio space. The remainder of the exhibit displays for us some large scale works which are a culmination of the themes explored thus far in the show. The larger pieces are less focused and incorporate new icons, such as furniture while still prominently showcasing ideas seen in his “target”, “false start” and “device” series. Of the final group of works, the one I found most interesting was Johns’ “Study for Skin I” (1962) in which Johns renders the nuances of the human hand though a delicate and attentive ink drawing.

Overall the show is a unique glimpse into the early work of Jasper Johns. The pieces in the show are consistently interesting and thoughtful and the focus is linear and easy to follow. The show lacks in its effort to place these works in the context of post-war American art or any historical context whatsoever for that matter, however the art is interesting enough in itself to sustain the audience’s attention. If you are a Johns enthusiast this is certainly a show worth seeing. If you know little to nothing about the artist, this show may serve as a good introduction but should in no way be thought to be representative of the whole of Johns’ work.

This show is running through April 29, 2007 and is in the upper level of the East Wing of the National Gallery at 4th Street and Constitution Ave. NW. This show is free and the Gallery is open Mon. – Sat. 10am to 5pm and Sundays 11am to 6pm.

About the author

Yasmin Tasan has been living in Washington, DC since 2001. She studied art history in college and is committed to furthering her understanding of fine art through the exploration of the many unique and interesting shows and exhibits Washington continually offers. When not roaming the halls of a museum you can most likely find her exploring a new or favorite restaurant with friends, running in Rock Creek Park or making a fool of herself at Bikram yoga.

| CLASSES |

This week only, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) is offering a one-week 10% discount coupon on Fall 2010 Adult classes to East City Art readers. Click here to see the full line-up of classes--everything from Pastels to Social Dance. Then register in person or by phone at 202-547-6839 during the week of August 9-13.

CHAW is located at 545 7th Street, SE, just two blocks from the Eastern Market metro station.

You should plan your Washington trip by making it sure that you know all types of facts before you go. Washington is the District of Columbia, a small enclave from Maryland State. Its one side is bounded by Potomac River and on the other side of the river you will see Virginia, Arlington and Alexandria. There are many websites that will help you from where do you start. First of all take a taxi cab or metro to National Air Museum or Holocaust Museum. If you have enough time then visit both places. Next check the National Archives for a look at the day of independence and other important historical events. Take a lunch in Pot Belly. Their sweets, sandwiches and shakes can easily satisfy your appetite. Spend the day with some external exploration on Monuments Biking tour. Take your dinner in Georgetown at Old Glory BBQ. Fried Prickles, think corn bread, chili, tasty ribs quite a gastronomical load. End evening by visiting bar in Georgetown. On the next day, head down to Mount Vernon which is the home of George Washington. The tour will also give you a look of Old town Alexandria and Pentagon. Enjoy and spend your afternoon shopping in Georgetown.

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