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Studio Space - Annual Jury for Torpedo Factory Artist Members

April 5-8, 2010.

We are pleased to announce the 2010 Newly Juried Artists!

2D Results:

Vincent Colvin
Mary Morrison
Nancy Pane Fortwengler
Donna T Jones
Jo Ann Tooley
Matthew Tito Cuenca
Blake Stenning
Pete McCutchen
Ellen Delaney
Laurie Sand

3D Results:

Melissa Hackmann
Paulette Warwick
Matthew Farnsworth
Anna Yakubovskaya
Kelly O'Brien

2010 Jurors' Statement


There were a record number of applicants for Torpedo Factory's 2010 annual jury. There were a total of 76 entries, 55 2D entries and 21 3D entries. 10 2D artists were selected and 5 3D artists were selected.

The jurors said they were impressed with the level of technical competence of many of the applicants. This allowed them to look for artists who were creating on a higher level than just technical competence, artists who were creating their own vision not just focusing on the commercial viability of their work. They said that the challenge is to balance craftsmanship with an original and unique voice, which is consistent but not predictable. One juror defined ‘stronger' work as those entries which the juror returned to over and over again as they sorted through the entries, works that demonstrated the highest level of technical skill and mastery of materials, works that conveyed passion and intelligence, works with a sense of authenticity or uniqueness.

The jurors made some suggestions for applicants. When asked what should characterize the 6 works of art that are brought in, they said that they should be consistent with each other, provide variations of a theme, provide depth in a series so that the art works inform each other, to present in effect a mini-show. They said that applicants should choose the 20 images on their accompanying CD carefully to be part of their overall presentation. Where the 6 works of art provide depth, the 20 additional images should provide breadth, although additional depth is always welcome. They said that if the presented works were strong, the additional images weren't that important. But, when the jurors were on the fence about an applicant, the 20 additional images often tipped the balance one way or the other. They often did read the artist statements, but that the works themselves should be able to convey their power and meaning visually.

The jurors said they enjoyed the jury process, and thanked both the Torpedo Factory and the applicants for the opportunity.

Two-dimensional jurors were:

Steven Cushner, Painter and Professor at the Corcoran School of Art
Bill Harris, Printmaker and Teacher at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Gretchen Schermerhorn, Printmaker and Director of Artistic Collaboration at Pyramid Atlantic

Three-dimensional jurors were:

Karen Hampton, Fiber artist and Professor at Howard University
Kevin Hluch, Ceramic artist and Professor at Montgomery College
Foon Sham, Sculptor and Professor at the University of Maryland


How do I become a Torpedo Factory artist?
Artists must go through the annual jury process to become a Torpedo Factory artist. All artists working in fine arts and fine crafts are eligible. Fine crafts include such work as ceramics, textiles, jewelry, all kinds of sculpture, glass, film, video, and more.

Upon selection, the applicant becomes a juried Torpedo Factory artist and is classified as an Associate Artist.

The 2010 Annual Jury is scheduled for April 5-8, 2010. Drop off of work will be 9am-6pm on Monday, April 5, 2010.

What are the benefits of Associate membership?
- Eligible for short-term studio subleases (up to one year) from resident artists
- May work toward joining a studio lease on a permanent basis
- Web page on www.torpedofactory.org which gets approximately 12,000 unique visits per month (fee applies)
- Opportunity to submit images and updates of shows, awards, and special projects for the Torpedo Factory Art Center online newsletter
- Eligible to participate in complementary programming and Association volunteer opportunities

Associates must remain current on annual dues in order to maintain juried status. Associates must also keep accurate contact information on file with the Association.

How do I get a studio?
Solo studio vacancies are rare, but the resident artist turnover rate averages 10% per year. Associates who are available and willing to accept subleases have a very good chance of placement, although it may take several years.

The two ways to become a resident artist are:
1) By joining a group studio. Established group studios select from the list of Associates when new members are needed.
2) By subleasing for 180 days to gain eligibility for the Waiting List for Solo Studio Space. Associate artists must maintain a minimum sublease period of 120 days annually to remain on the waiting list.

How do I apply?
On the first day of the Annual Jury, Monday, April 5, applicants bring six pieces of their artwork plus a cd with images of 20 additional works, completed application, and a $35 fee to the Torpedo Factory. The work will be juried over the second and third days.

Jury Information Session: An Information Session for all applicants will be held Sunday, February 28th at 2:00 in Cecelia Burnett's studio # 335 at the top of the stairs on the 3rd floor.  This is an optional meeting during which the jurying process and the benefits of being an associate will be discussed.  This is a good opportunity for applicants to ask any questions they might have.

Note to all 2D submitters: Bring cardboard of appropriate size to protect your submissions as they will be stacked against the walls against other people's submissions. Do not put your name on your cardboard as the jurying process is a blind one. You may not get your exact pieces of cardboard back, but we will do our best to protect your work.

Note to all film applicants: Filmmakers and artists using film or digital video as part of their works of art may now apply for studio space at the Torpedo Factory. However, because of the acoustics in the factory, all applicants need to be aware that sound would have to be fully controlled through the use of computers and earphones. Video or film applicants should keep their applications to a total of 10 minutes or less, in as many segments as they wish.

Video and time-based submissions should be both PC and Macintosh compatible. Submissions must be able to play in standard media viewing programs such as DVD, Quicktime, or Windows Media players (MOV files are preferred). You may NOT submit VHS tapes. Website links will not be accepted as submissions. Please let Jury Chair Tory Cowles know if you are submitting film or video so we can arrange to show your work to jurors. Contact Tory at or 240-793-5425.

Can I view the application?
Click for 2010 Application.

When do I find out the results?
After 6pm on the second day of the jury process, Tuesday, April 6, 2D applicants may check www.torpedofactory.org to see the list of Newly Juried 2D Artists. After 6pm on the third day of the jury process, Wednesday, April 7, 3D applicants may check the website to see the list of Newly Juried 3D Artists.

On the fourth day of the jury process, Thursday, April 8, all applicants will come to collect their work. Successful applicants will be asked to leave 2-3 works for a brief Target Gallery show of Newly Juried Artists. We strongly encourage artists who are not selected to apply again since each year there is a new panel of jurors.

NOTE: This jury process is NOT a critique. Artists will not receive a critique.

Who are the jurors?
There are separate 3-person panels judging the 2-D work and the 3-D work. The jurors are highly qualified professional artists, curators, teachers, museum directors and the like, who are independent of the Torpedo Factory. Their decision is final. They will look for work that meets the highest standards of professionalism and promise.

2D Jurors for 2010

Steven Cushner, Painter and Professor at the Corcoran School of Art Bill Harris, Printmaker and Teacher at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Gretchen Schermerhorn, Printmaker and Director of Artistic Collaboration at Pyramid Atlantic

3D Jurors for 2010

Karen Hampton, Fiber artist and Professor at Howard University Kevin Hluch, Ceramic artist and Professor at Montgomery College Foon Sham, Sculptor and Professor at the University of Maryland


Click here to see our 2009 Newly Juried Artists and 2009 jurors.

Click here to see our 2008 Newly Juried Artists and 2008 jurors.


Click here to see our 2007 Newly Juried Artists and 2007 jurors.

Whom do I contact for more information?
Contact Tory Cowles, Jury Committee Chair, at 301-983-2167; cell 240-793-5425; or or send an email to the Business Office at

 
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