WALA Needs You, Art Techies!

New WALA Web and Social Media Committee

Over the last two years, WALA has made a concerted effort to enter the 21st Century by developing communication platforms and utilizing the new technologies to keep you better informed about all things WALA. In the last year alone, we have developed this blog, refreshed our website, and increased our presence on several social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook. In 2011, we want to take it even further by creating the first WALA Web and Social Media Committee. It is our hope that the committee will:

• develop exciting new video content and utilize video sharing platforms that allows WALA to further highlight the amazing talents and provocative thinkers of our community;
• advance our blog to grow into the most dynamic and useful art and law blog in the country (or at least our community!) by recruiting fresh new voices and mining the learned experience of more sage ones on matters pertaining to censorship, net neutrality, entertainment law, creative entrepreneurship, and other arts community concerns;
• continue to make the necessary updates, alterations, and improvements on our website, www.thewala.org, and furthering our brand in the public consciousness; and,
• further our brand awareness in the arts and legal communities and in the public consciousness to increase artists access to services and public support of our mission.
  

A new volunteer social media team will increase our capacity to better serve WALA's members, strengthen our ability to keep you better informed about WALA and the creative community it serves, and let the world know a little bit more about the phenomenal talents and innovative thinkers we have in the Greater Washington arts community. If you are interested in joining the WALA Web and Social Media Committee, please email director@thewala.org with the phrase "WALA Social Media Committee" in the subject line. Thank you in advance for your interest!

WALA Signs On With NACA Against NPG Censorship

The National Coalition Against Censorship has circulated the following statement in response to the National Portrait Gallery's removal of a David Wojnarowicz video. It is jointly signed by the National Coalition Against Censorship, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, AICA-USA, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Association of American Publishers, Catholics for Choice, Defending Dissent Foundation, District of Columbia Advocates for the Arts, Advocates for the Arts District of Columbia Arts Center, The First Amendment Project, Provisions Library: Resources for Arts and Social Change, Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, Washington Project for the Arts, and The Woodhull Freedom Foundation

The National Portrait Gallery Betrays Constitutional Principles by Censoring Controversial Viewpoints:

A joint statement by the National Coalition Against Censorship, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, AICA-USA,Americans United for Separation of Church and State,Association of American Publishers, Catholics for Choice, Defending Dissent Foundation, District of Columbia Advocates for the Arts, Advocates for the Arts District of Columbia Arts Center, The First Amendment Project, Provisions Library: Resources for Arts and Social Change, Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, Washington Project for the Arts,and The Woodhull Freedom Foundation

The removal of David Wojnarowicz's 1987 video Fire in My Belly from an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in response to pressure from the Catholic League and Republican Members of Congress is a shameful assault on First Amendment principles, which preclude government officials from using their financial and political power to determine what viewpoints should and should not be allowed into a public museum.

The video was part of Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture, an exhibition exploring issues of sexuality and specifically gay sexuality. After a sensationalizing review of the show published on CNSNews.com (formerly the Conservative News Service, a news website owned by the Media Research Center) the Catholic League objected to the exhibition and specifically David Wojnarowicz' video, a work which is part death elegy about the artist's mentor and lover Peter Hujar and part angry tirade about the AIDS epidemic. The video uses, among many others, images of crucifixes.

The Catholic League called the video "hate speech." Soon Rep. John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), the presumptive incoming House speaker, and incoming Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), as well as some other Republican legislators, joined the League in demanding the cancellation of the show, as well as threatening future funding to the Smithsonian. Yielding to political pressure, the Gallery's director, Martin Sullivan, removed Wojnarowicz's video from the exhibition on November 30^th.

Anybody is entitled to criticize an art show but First Amendment principles bar government officials from suppressing controversial viewpoints andimposing the values held by one religious group on society at large. The National Portrait Gallery cannot and should not tailor its programming to promote the views of certain interest groups at the expense of others. Taxpayer funds go to maintain a vibrant and diverse cultural sphere that serves all Americans not just Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, Christians or Jews. We may differ on cultural or social issues and argue about these issues - in the press, in public spaces, in galleries and performance spaces, but government officials cannot use financial leverage as a threat to silence those with whom they disagree. In 1998, while upholding the so-called NEA decency clause, the US Supreme Court warned that serious First Amendment problems would be raised were the government "to leverage its power" to fund art "into a penalty on disfavored viewpoints."

The Catholic League may insist that religious symbols are its property and others (especially homosexuals) cannot use them, however, a national museum is barred by First Amendment principles, as well as by its mission to serve all Americans, from enforcing those views on the rest of us. As the U.S. Supreme Court stated in 1952, "the state has no legitimate interest in protecting any or all religions from views distasteful to them...It is not the business of government in our nation to suppress real or imagined attacks upon a particular religious doctrine."

The National Portrait Gallery's failure to stand up for its own curatorial selection and for the free speech rights of artists and museum visitors is likely to have a chilling effect on future programming. Once the institution has caved in to political pressure from religious groups and suppressed work deemed "sacrilegious" by those groups, it's inevitable, as the Supreme Court warned in 1952, that it will yield to "the most vocal and powerful orthodoxies" and "find it virtually impossible to avoid favoring one religion over another."

The Smithsonian, of which the National Portrait Gallery is part, is a public trust serving the interests of all Americans. It betrays its mission the moment it ejects a work whose viewpoint some dislike.

About the National Coalition Against Censorship

The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), founded in 1974, is an alliance of 50 national non-profit organizations, including literary, artistic, religious, educational, professional, labor, and civil liberties groups. United by a conviction that freedom of thought, inquiry, and expression must be defended, we work to educate our own members and the public at large about the dangers of censorship and how to oppose them.

National Coalition Against Censorship
725 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001
www.ncac.org

NPG Caves Under Political Censorship: Artists' Rights at Stake

• NPG Caves Under Political Censorship: Artists' Rights at Stake

NPG's exhibit Hide/Seek, featuring portraiture reflecting differences in sexual identity, has risen to sensational levels. Earlier this week, NPG's director pulled David Wojnarowicz's video displaying an ant-covered crucifix under pressure from members of Congress and threats from religious-affiliated interest groups to challenge Smithsonian government funding.

The implications of NPG's decision on First Amendment rights to the freedom of expression are disturbing. The Smithsonian Institution is a symbolic national forum of artistic and cultural expression. While aspects of the current exhibit may be distasteful, disturbing, or even offensive to some, these images are being displayed in the context of reflection, commentary and exploration of a legitimate topic for public discourse. The works (and the exhibit itself) fall squarely within the definition of protected speech under the First Amendment.

WALA speaks out on matters affecting artists, and political censorship strikes at the core of artists' fundamental rights. We will be following this development closely. If anyone is interested in participating on a position paper, please contact Laura Possessky, WALA Board Chair, directly.

More information: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/30/AR2010113004647.html

WALA Fall 2010 Newsletter

The Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts

Fall 2010 Newsletter

It’s the holiday season again and the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA) is entering the yuletide season with a renewed energy and focus. You’ve got a new executive director in me, Mike Gipson, and several new interns and volunteers who’ve joined us in fulfilling our mission. I’m working with my team of amazing staff and volunteers to put together an exciting new calendar for 2011 with member attorneys and law firms, including two cycles of our wildly popular Creative Entrepreneurship workshop series.

We’re hosting our first major fundraising event for President’s Day Weekend on Thursday, February 17, 2011 to cap off our annual Autumn-to-Winter WALA Platinum fundraising campaign. The WALA Platinum campaign got kicked off with “Say YES to Pro Bono!” an intimate happy hour reception generously sponsored by Hunton & Williams. During the festivities, Hunton & Williams became among the first platinum law firm sponsors of the fundraising season. We invite other firms, organizations, and individual supporters to follow their example by donating to sustain WALA, a vital, thriving community resource for over 25 years.

Our campaign fundraising goal is $33,000, nearly 20% of which has already been met! With your committed support, we’ll get to 100% (or more!) by February 2011. Your dedication to our mutual cause will assist us in restoring some staff positions recently lost and come back stronger than ever in 2011. New infrastructure, more strategic community partnerships, and more innovative, inspiring educational sessions will be the foundation for even better support of the Greater Washington Metro’s creative community.

Toward those aims, we invite you to submit your workshop ideas and opportunities for WALA to better serve you in the New Year. We also invite all partner organizations to share information about your upcoming events and all member artists to submit examples of your work (i.e., photographs, writings, performance video clips, etc.) to the WALA Blog for us to consider for exhibition and sharing with fellow members and supporters through this collective space. We will use our blog and social media platforms as communal spaces to share the latest in legal thought and celebrate the awe-inspiring creative jewels our unsung local heroes produce every day.

Now more than ever it is imperative that we protect our precious institutional resources and develop fresh strategies for the sustainability of our creative community. Work with us to make 2011 a year of renewal, restoration, and revival. Let’s partner to help art do what it’s intended to do best: make us all better. Won’t you join us in that commitment?

To learn more about how you can help, just click here or make a donation here. We’ve also discovered enticing new ways to help support WALA while saving you money over this holiday shopping season. Just in time for Black Friday, shop with a purpose by becoming a WALA Champion through One Cause. Sign up with One Cause and make WALA your charity of choice, download the One Cause toolbar, and a percentage of every purchase from a partnering retailer is donated to WALA. Sit back and enjoy special discounts and offers as a One Cause member all year round while simultaneously supporting a mission you believe in.

Last, but certainly not least, we invite you to join us in commemorating WALA member organization Olu Yemisi & Co. 10^th Anniversary Celebration, an awesome afternoon of film, dance, and loads of fun. We feel co-sponsoring this free Afro-Latin dance extravaganza is a fitting cap for a truly amazing year, one that you helped make possible. Thank you!

Happy Holidays!

L. Michael Gipson

Executive Director

Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts

Did You Miss?

All quarter, WALA has been standing tall with several legal basics workshop including Copyright Basics, Trademark Basics, and Copyright Registration sessions and a full run of the Creative Entrepreneurship series at the stunning new Artisphere space in Arlington. With the support of our Events and Education Committees, we’ve also hosted several social and educational events, including:

WALA Writer's Evening on Sep 27, 2010 at International Arts & Artists Hillyer Gallery featuring DC’s top publishing agents and attorneys, including: Gail Ross, Elaine English, Jeff Kleinman, and John Mason for a richly informative evening covering everything you ever wanted to learn about the publishing industry. We appreciate all we made this standing room only event a rousing success!

An Artful Evening ~ WALA Cocktail Hour & Fashion Preview @ Industry Gallery & Conner Contemporary on Sep 30, 2010 at not one but two premiere DC galleries, a sneak fashion preview by the critically acclaimed Dana Ayanna Greaves, and the rock and soul sounds of musical artist, James Terrell. The newly minted WALA Fashion Sub-Committee brought SoHo to DC with style and plenty of panache. Kudos to all involved!

Hunton & Williams Presents: WALA "Say YES To Pro Bono!" Appreciation Happy Hour! on Nov 18, 2010 was an elegant evening of wine, spirits and appreciation. An intimate moment of WALA attorney and law firm stakeholders and supporters, this firm-sponsored evening marked the deepening of our partnership with this venerable legal institution.

Donating & Lending Your Artwork ~ An evening with Jo Laird on Oct 6, 2010 at Irvine Contemporary, legend Jo Backer Laird shared 25 years of experience in art law with a group of awe-struck WALA members. Ms. Laird delivered an amazing session on donating and lending artwork, offering her vast expertise garnered from decades of working with artists, dealers and collectors and her years with Patterson Belknap and Christie’s Inc. Thank you, Jo!

The 10^th Anniversary Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit on Oct 5, 2010 at Georgetown University WALA member attorneys Kurt R. Klaus, Esq. of Kurt Klaus Entertainment Law and Robyn Guilliams, Esq. from Fettman, Tolchin & Majors PC covered the Genius Bar at the historic event, ably assisting nervous artists with a host of pertinent art and entertainment law questions.

Don’t Miss These Forthcoming WALA Workshops, Clinics, and Events!

November 30 - 5 pm 501(c)(3) Workshop at DLA Piper

December 4 – 1:30pm-4:30pm WALA Co-Sponsors The Olu Yemisi & Co. 10th Anniv. Dance & Film Festival

December 9 (by appointment) Legal Clinic at DLA Piper

December 16 - 7 pm Trademark Basics Workshop at Finnegan

WALA Co-Sponsors Olu Yemisi & Co. 10th Anniv. Dance & Film Festival

Don’t Miss This! Celebrate 10 Years With Olu!

Olu Yemisi & Co. Entertainment Presents:

10^th Anniversary Festivities and An Afternoon of Dance on Film

A triple screening of the electric Rhythm & Body Language and Dance TV Show I & II

Saturday December 4, 2010

1:30pm-4:30pm

Martin Luther King Library

901 G St. N.W.

Publish Post

Washington, DC 20001, Room A-5

Free

RSVP (240)429-2063

http://www.DanceWithMeDC.com

WALA members should come out and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of music, film and dance!

Rhythm and Body Language

Film Synopsis: The Caribbean heat meets the stage. This documentary chronicles the first eight years of Olu Yemisi & Company Entertainment. It showcases dance and music in the stage performers lives. It includes footage from their theater performances, festivals, and cultural events. It also features an interview and personal stories from Olu Yemisi. This film shows how the performing arts enrich lives.

About Olu Yemisi

Olu Yemisi is the director of Olu Yemisi & Company Entertainment. Her films include "Street Art", "Rhythm & Body Language", Environmental, "A Tribute to Michael Jackson", "Dance TV Show I", "Dance TV Show" and "The Experience". She also produces public service announcements. In addition to film, Olu Yemisi has produced and directed performances and dance theater for over 10 years. She also created over 20 performing arts festivals and events. She has taught dance for over 11 years. Olu is the choreographer of the entire repertoire for Olu Yemisi & Company Dancers. Her dance company performs Afro Caribbean, Afro Latin, and Jazz dance. She also promotes Jazz music. Recently, Olu was chosen by Dance/USA to represent the Washington D.C. area as a cultural ambassador for the performing arts at the National Performing Arts Conference in Denver, Colorado. She also has addressed congressional staff on Capital Hill in Washington, D.C. about the arts. Olu Yemisi is available for film productions, performances, lectures, & workshops abroad.

President's Message: Thanks for Giving

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and the end of the year close at hand, it is once again time to reflect on the year's accomplishments, to give thanks and t0 count blessings.


WALA has been quite fortunate: in a year filled with economic challenges, we are still open for business. This has been no easy feat. Legal services and arts organizations alike have struggled to operate amidst significant financial shortfalls. Like our sister organizations, WALA has not gone unscathed. We face a unique challenge in making the case that an organization that is BOTH a legal services and arts organization merits financial support.

The one reason that we have kept our doors open this year: your support. I am deeply thankful for the countless hours our volunteer attorneys have given for artists and arts organizations who could not afford legal representation -- without you, many of our community's artists would be without legal assistance in a time when it is needed most. I am thankful for our committee members and long-standing supporters, who enabled WALA to continue its many educational programs, clinics and events. I am also deeply grateful for our staff, without whose dedication we would never have kept our doors open. In short, WALA's strong and supportive community has ensured its survival.


To recognize the commitment of our community that we are gathering to give thanks this evening and celebrate. We do say YES! to pro bono and I hope you will join us. While the event is free, we ask you to consider building upon your community support of WALA with a financial contribution to support our operations. I ask you to do this on behalf of WALA's dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly this year, determined to ensure each artist and arts organization in need was matched with the legal resources and education it needed.

If you cannot join us this evening, please offer your support and look for our year end letter in the weeks ahead summarizing our accomplishments and share your enthusiasm for WALA by inviting friends and family to become members and support us. We would like to ensure the future of our organization and the welfare of our creative community for years to come. We have great ideas to increase our impact in our community. To accomplish our goal, we need your support.

Much thanks to you for giving your time, your money and your support.

WALA Needs You! Fall 2010 Campaign

Dear Supporter,

Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA) has played a critical role in helping the creative community meet its legal needs for over 25 years. Now, WALA needs you.

The demand for WALA’s services is on the rise as the ongoing economic rollercoaster has uniquely challenged the creative community. Creatives, frequently working as independent contractors, have faced significant revenue declines with little or no financial net. The hard-hit media and publishing industries—the largest sectors of the DC creative community—have made dramatic cutbacks, impacting the livelihood of thousands of writers and technical artists. Likewise, many performing arts companies and other arts organizations have suffered debilitating financial setbacks with dwindling grant support and donations. According to the 2010 Creative Capital: The Creative DC Action Agenda report, arts funding experienced a 20-million dollar decline last year. Government funding is also reduced: reports indicate that the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities budget will face a 10% reduction in FY2011—a decrease for the third consecutive year—representing a half million dollar loss in support for the creative community. Compounding the impact of these precipitous revenue decreases: DC commercial real estate is now the most expensive in the nation, meaning that affordable artist workspace and boutique business space is increasingly scarce. There is a silver lining . . . .

WALA Pro Bono Appreciation Happy Hour Event!

Thanks to the generous support of Hunton & Williams, the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts is hosting an exclusive happy hour event, "Say YES To Pro Bono!" in honor of the attorneys and firms that make our pro bono work possible. Come by and meet the new WALA Executive Director, L. Michael Gipson. He can't wait to meet you and hear your vision for WALA 2011!

As we are in the middle of our autumn/winter fundraising season, we are humbly requesting tax-deductible donations of $50 or more for this event. With limited space available, please RSVP by securing tickets through Eventbrite. You can also get directions by clicking the image above. We look forward to your joining the libations and festivities!

Copyright Basics Workshop ~ October 27 @ 7PM @ Finnegan

Interested in learning about copyrights?

Do you have a creative work that you want to copyright?

Come learn about the basics of copyright at this presentation and Q & A session.

October 27 - 7 pm
Copyright Basics Workshop at Finnegan

It's not too late to sign up:  Click here.

WALA Workshops @ Artisphere + Check out Artisphere's Calendar for Oct. & Nov.

Click here for the Artisphere brochure (w/WALA Workshops listed).

Click here for just WALA workshops.

Music, Music, Music !

10/10/10 at the Artisphere

IBIS will take part in the grand opening festivities for Arlington's newest
(and coolest) arts venue:  The Artisphere.

We will be performing for their open house on Sunday, October 10, around 7 pm.

Read more about the Artisphere here.

1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington VA

FREE

---

Sunday, October 17 at 2 pm

IBIS at the BELMONT MANSION

We couldn't be more excited about this!  This spectacularly beautiful room will host
a concert of music by Still, Gershwin, Mozart and Francaix.
Champagne reception to follow.

National Headquarters of the Order of the Eastern Star
1618 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington DC

Tickets $25

Available from the Belmont Mansion:  (202)667-4737
or email susan@ibischambermusic.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The proceeds will benefit the MusicLink Foundation, an organization that
promotes music education for underserved children.

Future of Music Coalition POLICY SUMMIT in DC through October 5th

Future of Music Policy Summit 2010

from  http://futureofmusic.org/events/future-music-policy-summit-2010

In ten years of fighting for musicians, Future of Music Coalition has witnessed tremendous changes in the music ecosystem — from disruptions in traditional business models to alternative revenue streams for creators. Throughout our history, FMC has been guided by the conviction that musicians need access to audiences and adequate compensation to truly thrive.
The 10th Anniversary Future of Music Policy Summit puts the focus where it belongs: on the artists who are the very reason for our existence. It is the talent and creativity of musicians, songwriters and composers that bring clarity and focus to the pressing issues facing the entire music community.

Register now for a discounted rate of $259!  Click here to register now.

The 10th Anniversary Future of Music Policy Summit brings together an incredible array of musicians, arts advocates, policymakers, technologists, media representatives and industry figures to discuss issues at the intersection of music, technology, policy and law. Over three days, connections will be made, challenges will be identified, and solutions will be considered. Your participation in these conversations is crucial to the future of music.

ScriptDC - WALA members enjoy a discounted admission!

ScriptDC is the premiere conference for Mid-Atlantic filmmakers to achieve their creative dreams by connecting them with accomplished teachers, consultants and industry professionals.

Confirmed presenters include:
Lisa Cortes (Precious), Megan Holley (Sunshine Cleaning), Claudia Myers (Kettle of Fish), Dawn Porter (Serious Moonlight), Stephen Harris (A&E), Maureen Ryan (Man on Wire), Ed Burns (The Wire), Kelley Baker (Angry Filmmaker), Aviva Kempner (Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg), Walter Gottlieb (Final Cut Productions), Jenny Halper (Mandalay Entertainment), Erin Keating (IFC TV), Cid Collins Walker (Black Opal Prods), Heather Waters (Creative World Awards), Judy Levenson (National Geographic), Libby Richman (Half Yard Productions).

The weekend-long event, includes:
* Opening Night Screening and Q&A;
* Pitching your idea to industry professionals;
* Screenplay readings & critiques;
* Workshops for all skill levels;
* DC Shorts Screenplay Competition.
October 16 schedule here.
October 17 schedule here.

ScriptDC is the largest event of its kind in the region. But registration is limited. 

Prefer paper?  Download registration form and fax to the WIFV Office, 202-429-9440 

Sign up here.

What happened at the hearing on the Bill to Protect Artists?

Subject: What happened at the hearing on the Bill to Protect Artists?

Rob Bettmann   DC Advocates for the Arts 

 

On Wednesday September 22nd, Ward 4 Council-member Muriel Bowser convened a hearing of the Public Services and Community Affairs committee to consider Bill B18-451, the Bill to Protect Artists. Many of you signed our petition (back in march, april, may and june) which resulted in the scheduling of this hearing.

The hearing went very well. Positive support for the bill was provided by Council-member Bowser in her statement at the hearing, and in testimony from:

The DC Bar Arts, Entertainment, Media and Sports Law Section; The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia; The Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts;
Marvin Bowser;
Janet Fries;
Lavinia Wohlfarth;
George Koch;
and myself on behalf of our membership.
Following the hearing Council-member Michael Brown put out a statement on the bill, which we will post on the website. As available, we will also post the testimony and statements of hearing participants.

The bill addresses a loophole in existing DC law pertaining to consignment, which is a constant and necessary part of the visual arts economy. This bill will ensure that after artists and collectors have invested in work, that work is protected from inappropriate seizure.

Council-member Bowser's committee must now report out from the hearing, including any recommendations for amendment, following which the bill may be scheduled for consideration by the council of the whole.

This isn't a particularly sexy issue. It's a lot like having fire insurance. Nobody other than our organization is worried if visual artists don't have this protection. We need your continued support and attention as we work to get this out of committee, and into law. We'll be in touch about ways you can support passage of this legislation, and you can see more on our website -- http://www.facebook.com/l/c9373EUbOkSsX3lH2oeThPg_QyA;www.dcadvocatesforthearts.org. Thanks!

(e)merge 2 ~ Panel Discussion & Party, Saturday, October 2, 4-8pm

(e)merge

(e)merge 2 panel discussion + party Saturday, October 2nd, 4 - 8 pm at Hamiltonian Gallery, 1353 U Street, NW, WDC

Conner Contemporary Art and Hamiltonian Artists will host an event specifically for area emerging artists beginning with a panel discussion focusing on gallery representation and the dynamics of artist-gallery relationships. Panelists: Seth Adelsberger - visual artist, represented by Civilian Art Projects, and co-founder of Nudashank Gallery Craig Appelbaum - founder of Industry Gallery Leigh Conner - co-founder Conner Contemporary Art Kathryn Cornelius - performance artist, represented by Curator's Office Maggie Michael - visual artist, represented by G Fine Art Moderated by Jacqueline Ionita, Director of Hamiltonian Gallery The (e)merge 2 panel discussion begins promptly at 4pm; directly followed by (e)merge 2 party - hang out with your community, enjoy DJ, food and drink. (e)merge 2 is generously sponsored by Marvin Restaurant and the Pink Line Project.

Hamiltonian Artists is a 501c (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing professional development opportunities for creative artists in their early careers. We offer a competitive two-year fellowship program for new innovative visual artists in all media, which are awarded through an annual competition.

Hamiltonian Artists is funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Wandering Souls presents Twelfth Night

Wandering Souls presents (www.wanderingsouls.org)
William Shakespeare's
Twelfth Night
Directed by Andrew Wassenich
Featuring: Luke Cieslewicz, Grant Cloyd, Lex Davis, Melissa Marie Hmelnicky, Megan Reichelt, Julie Roundtree,  Teresa Spencer and Jacob Yeh Running Time: 1 hour

Wit, music, romance and revelry are the food of love in this comedic feast of lovers and fools. One of Shakespeare's most famous comedies - Twelfth Night is a play about love in all it's excess, the madness it can drive us to, the pain it gives us and finally the ability to heal that pain.  Viola and her twin brother are shipwrecked in the magical land of Illyria, each believing the other drowned. Disguised as a young man, and entering the service of the lovesick Duke Orsino,Viola woos the wistful lady Olivia for her new master and finds herself in a most unusual and hilarious love triangle. Merry deceptions, mistaken identities and yellow stockings abound in this lilting comedy.

Remaining Public Pay-What-You-Can Shows
Wednesday, September 22 at 7:00 pm (Edmund Burke School, 4101 Connecticut Avenue, NW)
Friday, September 24 at 7:30 pm (Bloombars, 3222 11th Street NW)
Wednesday, September 29 at 7:00 pm (Church of the Pilgrims, 2201 P Street NW)

About Wandering Souls
Wandering Souls is dedicated to making the luxury of the arts more accessible to everyone!At the core of our mission is a belief that the arts can fuel our imagination, encourage our personal growth and help unite individuals and communities. Yet, the richness of the arts is often considered a luxury. By bringing stripped-down, high quality, energetic performances to those who have little or no access we hope to break down that misconception.
We hope to open the channels to engaging conversations , new experiences and-- in the process-- provide opportunities for a broader cultural exchange.

American Poetry Museum

The American Poetry Museum is dedicated to celebrating poetry, promoting literacy, fostering meaningful dialogue, encouraging an appreciation for the diversity of the American experience, and educating local, national, and international audiences through the presentation, preservation and interpretation of American poetry. 

Founded in 2004, APM is one of the first museums in the world dedicated to collecting, interpreting and presenting American poetry. We are committed to the continuation of poetry as a literary and performance art and the use of poetry as an active tool for education. 

Read more ~

September 30th, WALA Cocktail Hour & Fashion Preview w/ARTAYA

Cocktail Hour & ARTAYA ~ Fashion Preview! 

6pm

Dana Ayanna Greaves named one of "the District's most promising design talents" by Holly Thomas in the Washington Post Magazine.

Our generous host:  Industry Gallery

Copyright Registration Panel, Q & A, & Form Review

Bring your brown bag lunch and join a panel of copyright registration specialists for information and guidance about registering your creative works.  Bring your questions and/or completed copyright registration forms.  
This is a must-attend session for visual artists, musicians and songwriters, screenwriters, film makers, and fiction and nonfiction writers.

October 14th, 2010 from 11:30am until 1:30pm.
Location:  International Arts & Artists, Hillyer Gallery
Free for WALA & IA&A members, $30 for non-members.
RSVP today to insure a spot!

Free Small Business Advice Clinic on 9/22 ~ DC Bar Pro Bono Program

Click here for details.

 

All about Trademarks

®   ™   ®   ®   ®   ®   ™  ™  ®   ® ®  

Learn all about trademarks at the upcoming WALA Trademark Basics Workshop:

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

 Register online:  http://www.eventbrite.com/event/813711834

Screenplay Competition ~ Saturday, October 16th @ 7pm

Watch a script read live. 

Choose a winner. 

See the final film next year!

Saturday, October 16 @ 7:00pm

 

Saturday, October 16 @ 7:00pm
The Theatre @ Mount Vernon United Methodist Church
900 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Tickets will go on sale September 9.
We are very proud to present our fourth DC Shorts Screenplay Competition. Watch six scripts read live by actors and the screenwriter! At the end of the show, vote for your favorite script. The winner will receive $1000 on the spot, plus another $1,000 when the film is completed.  Plus, you can see the final movie at DC Shorts 2011! This is a unique competition — no one presents scripts in this way.

Catching Up

Mary Ratliff, Writer
Reston, VA
A prison guard must make a decision that will affect the future of a criminal, and put his own daughter at risk.

Interview Date

Grant Lyon, Writer
Oakland, CA
In a case of mistake identity, a couple on their first date accidentally cross signals with a job interview.

The Dressing Room

Jackie Boor, Writer
Sacramento, CA
A department store dressing room is an unexpected crossroad for a tired housewife and a young woman.

Mancrush

Matt Wheeler, Writer
Santa Monica, CA
Two guys argue about which of them is “best mates” with their mutual friend, Dave.

Surreal Estate

Lori Romero, Writer
Santa Fe, NM
Mr. Smith’s trials and tribulations while renting a home are not normal procedure.

Break Up, Break In, Break Out

Kelli Herod, Writer
Arlington, VA
With a little help from her friends, a woman works through the end of a relationship.

WISH TO BE CAST IN THE LIVE READINGS?  Click here!