Happy New Year from Artists Circle and the Underground Art Framing team! Artists Circle and our framing partners at Underground Art Framing celebrated the new year the right way, with laughs, smiles, and of course, a huge wheel of Parmesan cheese!
Corporate Office In Minneapolis
Do you know why our clients love us? There are many reasons, but one is that we continually bend over backwards to make sure each project is done just right, even if it means flying out to Minneapolis in -8 degree weather to oversee an installation! While it may not have been necessary for an Associate to attend the install, we wanted to have a presence to make sure all went smoothly. I don't think we could be happier with the end result! Here are a few pieces, showcasing local Minneapolis and St. Paul artists.
Integrating People and Architecture; A Concept
Check out this amazing duo, Daniel Rueda and Anna Devís! Their photographs reminded Artists Circle of a project Jack and Olivia worked on for an Human Resources law firm around this time last year. When developing artwork concepts, the firm wanted to emphasis that they were people-oriented (human resources) working in an urban setting (Washington, DC). The concepts Jack and Olivia developed for the law firm, below, integrated people and architecture in a similar fashion to the photography of Daniel and Anna.
Can You Guess the Color of 2018?!
That’s right; Ultra Violet is going to represent 2018. According to The New York Times the Color of the Year In 2018 is Ultra Violet, the most vibrant of purples. Is there really any better color besides Ultra Violet? Artists Circle was ahead of the game, installing some pieces that had Ultra Violet in them. Check out these pieces! What do you think of Ultra Violet? Will it be your 2018 color?
AO Continues to Grow! Meet Jessica!
2017 has brought good tidings for Artists Circle as we continue to expand our team! We recently brought on Jessica as our new Administrative Assistant and Project Support. Of course, we had to ask her some personal questions in our typical welcome-to-the-team fashion!
Q: What do you do at Artists Circle? I provide "behind the scenes" administrative assistance and project support to the Artists Circle team, organizing, scheduling, and paying attention to all those small but important details. My years of experience in high end retail mean the importance of customer service is ingrained in my mind. You may run into me at upcoming Lunch & Learns or presentations with Jack. I'm super excited about this position and look forward to learning about the art consulting world!
Q: What do you love? I love almost anything. I love talking about things that matter. I can talk for hours about anything. I love helping people and making connections. I am all about experiences and not holding back. In my free time I enjoy writing poetry, going on hikes, and watching Will Ferrell movies.
Q: What do you hate? There are very few things I hate. I dislike negativity. I believe negativity doesn’t do anything productive/help anyone out. Positivity and empathy is always the answer.
Q: What do you do on the weekends? Now that my weekends are going to be free, (bye bye retail) I will be spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy going on adventures and going to concerts.
Q: What’s an embarrassing story about yourself? TOO MANY TO TELL. My life is all around embarrassing- I am constantly doing something embarrassing, but that is what makes life fun!
Welcome to the team, Jessica! We're so happy to have you!
Cheerful Cherry Blossoms
No one likes having surgery. Whatever the procedure may be, it's a pain! That's why Artists Circle Associate Olivia opted for bright, cheerful cherry blossom imagery when sourcing artwork for a new oral surgery center in Maryland. The imagery is both inviting and happy, helping patients calm any nerves that they may have before having their procedure. The surgical organization has clinics throughout the DC/Maryland area, so the cherry blossom imagery also speaks to the team's regional influence.
Windy and Cold VS Sunny and Hot: Installations in Chicago and West Palm Beach
In the past month, we have installed two projects outside of our "usual" DC Metro area region of work: one in Chicago and another in West Palm Beach. We sent Project Manager Olivia Zvara to Chicago to oversee the artwork installation in a beautifully-designed office suite, while Art Handler Dan Wasson won the coin toss and got to head down to West Palm Beach for another corporate art installation.
Can you guess which art was installed in each office?
Brookland Multifamily
Artists Circle started sourcing concepts for a new Brookland, DC development several years ago. The site, once home to printing presses, typesetting tools, and barrels of ink, was transformed by Douglas Development into a vibrant multifamily building, with awesome amenities, such as a rooftop pool, a gym that overlooks the Metro, a dog wash and dog park, several outdoor spaces, a yoga studio, and more.
Initially, the artwork theme was more directly tied into the building's former use; over time, the collection evolved, with some pieces referencing the site's industrial roots, and others simply interjecting bright color with some cultural references.
Artists Circle could not have been more delighted to work on such a fun project! Many thanks to the design team - GTM Architects, Douglas Development, Kettler - for working with us through the selection and installation process!
Two huge 8x8 foot canvases adorn a tall wall in the Community Lounge.
Antique book presses, hand carved vessels, marquis letters, and books adorn this focal point in the Lounge.
A map of Brookland and the surrounding area was installed on the wall in the Bike Shop. Bike trails are indicated in orange on the map.
Three huge pieces spell out our mission in the front hall: "Invest...In...Culture!"
Vintage pin-up swimmers adorn the corridor to the rooftop pool.
Funky feet outside the mens' and ladies' restrooms.
Artworks for Freedom
Principal Jack Devine was recognized as an Artworks for Freedom Spotlight Volunteer!
"Jack Devine sees gold in what many see as trash. Lucky for ArtWorks, we are putting this gold to work for our Golden Doors to Freedom project and the ArtWorks for Freedom | Easton campaign! As an artist consultant and principal of Artists Circle Fine Art, Devine and his team help businesses find art solutions for their offices, including placing, framing and installing fine art in business spaces.
A long-time friend of ArtWorks and board member of our Picturing Freedom partner VisArts Center in Rockville, Maryland, Devine generously donated five of his personally collected vintage doors to our Golden Doors to Freedom project. Additionally, Artists Circle Fine Art has volunteered to transport and install our outdoor exhibits and murals during our Easton and ACTION DC! fall campaigns.
Devine's experience with art consulting has proved the power that art has to address difficult subjects and challenge people to understanding something they otherwise may have avoided.
“‘I put artwork in front of people for a living, and I know how it can be a thing to break the ice and stimulate conversation. Because human trafficking is a little bit of a hard thing to talk about or get in the details of - channeling it through art softens the edge and helps get people involved or enthused to address it,’ he said.”
We are grateful for Jack's contribution to our projects and upcoming campaigns which will reach thousands across the Eastern Shore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. areas throughout the fall!"
Cable Suspended Artwork!
Check out installation shots below from one of Olivia's recent projects! The client had recently renovated their penthouse conference center and had gorgeous wood paneling installed in the corridors. The only problem? How do you drill holes into this paneling to hang artwork?! So, instead of utilizing traditionally hung artwork on hooks, the Artists Circle team procured photographs printed on aluminum and suspended them by cable systems in the ceiling. Not only are cable systems elegant, but they allow you to hang beautiful artwork without drilling holes into the wall.
Whether the walls are wood, marble, or even curved, cable systems are a great solution for hanging art in tricky spaces. Let us know if we can help you address any of these walls in your space!