Getting Ready for the Big Final Event!

We are excited about our big final event next Saturday, March 27th! All the finalists have been chosen, and everyone is ready to experience them live and cast their votes. Click on this link to see all the finalists: http://www.artforprogress.org/clash2010/contest.php

The “Clash of the Artists 2010” will take place from 7pm-midnight at Drom in the East Village (www.dromnyc.com), with a 1-hour open wine bar, light food, drink specials, and the after-party as well (midnight-4am). Tickets are $20 through tomorrow, then go up to $25 on the 21st. Go here to purchase tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100460

This year we are having a great after-party, with the Ze Luis quartet performing Brazilian jazz (http://www.zeluis.com), DJ JP Solis (http://www.artforprogress.org/artists.php?mID=56&page=overview) and others.

We hope to see you next Saturday, and remember, this also supports our Arts Education Program! Go to the AFP site for more info!

www.artforprogress.org

 

 

The Final 48!

Yes we are here at the final countdown of on-line voting for “Clash of the Artists 2010.” Everyone has until midnight Wednesday, March 10th. So if you have not had a chance to vote, do it now! Go to this link to see all the artists’ work and cast your votes in all the categories: http://artforprogress.org/clash2010/contest_PARTICIPANTSPAGE.php

We are also looking forward to the big live finals event on Saturday, March 27th here in NYC. Go to this link for tickets and info: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100460

We would love to hear your comments on this year’s competition, and hear about your own favorite “Clash” artists!

Below is an image from one of our current leading visual artists, Baldocchi Jeremie of Paris, France:

Baldocchi Jeremie

 We look forward to posting our results soon!

In Full Swing Here at AFP!

We are in full swing with “Clash of the Artists 2010” and the votes keep coming in! As we approach the end of on-line voting, remember to cast your votes before March 10th. Our finals event on March 27th at Drom is going to be a great night of showcasing the talented finalists in all categories. The evening will also serve to benefit our Arts and Humanities Education program, where we work in under-served public schools.

The competition can be viewed at the following link:  http://www.artforprogress.org/clash2010/contest_PARTICIPANTSPAGE.php?catID=2&x=24&y=10

DJ Jago of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey is currently in the lead for the DJ category. We have been impressed with all of the DJ’s music, and we are looking forward to hearing the finalists live! Listen to all the DJ’s at the link above.

Here is a photo of work by fashion designer Kari Smistek of Buffalo, New York. She is our current leader in the fashion category.

Fashion by Kari Smistek

We hope you have a great week ahead, and remember, every vote counts!

 

Tickets Now Available for The Big Event!

Things are heating up here at AFP!  With so many votes rolling in, and so many people on the website, we are really excited about this year’s competition.  We now have $20 tickets available for the live finals event at Drom here in New York on March 27th. Visit the following link to purchase tickets:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100460

Below is an image from our current leading visual artist, Pere Ibanez of Beijing.

Collage by Pere Ibanez

In the live music category, JC Cassis of New York is taking the lead. You can check out the music here at this link:

http://www.artforprogress.org/clash2010/contest_PARTICIPANTSPAGE.php?catID=3&x=27&y=9

If you have not voted already, you have till March 10th to see and hear all the great work! Our link to the voting page is http://www.artforprogress.org/clash2010/contest_PARTICIPANTSPAGE.php

Enjoy the coming week, now that the snow has finally melted!

The Votes Are Rolling IN!

We are always so happy this time of year, when we can appreciate such great new energy here at AFP. The “Clash of the Artists” really allows the participating artists to be recognized by a vast audience. If you have not yet voted, you have a few more weeks to check out the visual art, music, fashion, and creative works at the following link: http://artforprogress.org/clash2010/contest_PARTICIPANTSPAGE.php

Our “creative” category is always full of interesting work, with a wide variety of artists. This piece by Yui Terai is currently in the lead:

 We are always looking for the newest art/fashion/music, and with New York Fashion Week in full swing, we checked out the Haute Hippie presentation this past Saturday night. Curated and styled by AFP artist member Natalie Kates, the  presentation and party brought us high-end fashion with a hip, downtown vibe. Check out the photos:

Haute Hippie Fall 2010

Haute Hippie Fall 2010

AFP Launches Artist PR/Marketing Program

We are happy to launch our newest program for artists, a PR/Marketing program that is both affordable and useful for artists, musicians, designers, etc. Publicist Staci Smith has been specializing in arts and culture PR for over 12 years, and is now offering several packages for both members and non-members of AFP. From a $25 “cheat sheet” to the $475 Gold Package, more info can be found here:   http://www.artforprogress.org/marketing.php>

Now that the voting process is under way for “Clash of the Artists” you can check out all the competing artists on the site. So far, we have had over 10,000 votes cast since February 1st!  Go to this link below to vote:

http://artforprogress.org/clash2010/contest_PARTICIPANTSPAGE.php

Below are a couple of works from the competition:

Work by Artist Geoff Rawling

Fashion by Ilze

We are excited about the voting, and will continue to keep you posted!

Let the Fun Begin!

So here we go! On-line voting begins today for this year’s “Clash of the Artists.” After receiving submissions from an amazing group of artists,designers,musicians, DJ’s and creatives, we are thrilled with the quality of work in “Clash of the Artists 2010.”

Everyone can go to the AFP site (www.artforprogress.org) and vote for their favorites in categories of visual art, live music, DJ’s, fashion, and creative categories. We really want the artists to get maximal exposure on the site over the coming weeks, so please pass the word along to others as well. Throughout the competition, we will continue to blog here about the latest “Clash” news!

Below is an installation by New York-based artist Sarawut Chutiwongpeti, presently participating in the competition.

Installation by Sarawut Chutiwongpeti of New York

Ron EA Powell (REAP 13) Exhibition through 1/29, NYC (Clash 2009, 1st Place)

We are excited about the current exhibition showing Ron Powell’s Armor series. Ron, a painter and graphic artist, won last year’s “Clash of the Artists” visual arts competition, where his stunning images captivated  the voting public. His work can currently be seen at the Agora Gallery’s “Interpretive Realms” exhibition in Chelsea. A reception will be held this Thursday, 1/14 from 6-8pm. The gallery’s address is 530 W. 25th St, NYC.

Ron EA Powell

Above is one of the paintings from the Armor series. The paintings are even more beautiful in person. The show will continue until January 29th. It is not to be missed! Click on the link here to learn more about Ron and his work: http://www.artforprogress.org/artists.php?mID=227&page=bio

AFP’s Artist of the Month: Juan Manuel Pajares

Every month Art For Progress exhibits an exceptional artist, film maker, designer, or musician in our on-line gallery. This month we are showing the work of one of our long-standing members, Juan Manuel Pajares of Spain. His mix of painting and collage brings iconic figures and relevant international cultures all together in a mesmerizing body of work.  Click on this link to our homepage to see his work in the gallery: http://www.artforprogress.org/index.php

Juan Manuel Pajares

While we are on the topic of our on-line gallery, this is just one of the many benefits our members receive. Many AFP artists have sold their work through the AFP site, without any commissions owed to the organization. As a nonprofit organization committed to the exposure of talented artists, we strive to put artists in direct contact with patrons to sell their work directly.  In addition to our featured artist, all AFP member artists can be seen on our site under “artist directory.”

A Little Info about Art For Progress

As we move forward in the submission phase of the competition, we want to let everyone know more about us.  First of all, Art For Progress (AFP) is a New York City-based 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization. We are in our 5th year, and have created a diverse collective of international artists, film makers, musicians, designers, and DJ’s. With a goal of bringing all artforms together for both common good and communion among artists, AFP  also brings arts education to children in under-served schools and communities.  The AFP Arts and Humanities Education Program takes artists into the classrooms where they are most needed. Click on this link for more info about the program: http://www.artforprogress.org/art_ed.php

The official AFP mission statement can be found here:  http://www.artforprogress.org/about.php

Lastly, the question we get the most is “What do you mean by art for progress? What does it mean?”  The answer can best be summed up in a quote by Victor Hugo from 1864. It still rings true for us: “Art for art’s sake is very fine, but art for progress is finer still.”  He elaborates on this point in his book “William Shakespeare.”

A day with AFP's Arts Education Crew