Special Edition: Favorite Art Websites

For a few months now I have been writing about art events, festivals, artists, and galleries. But I've realized that you might be wondering, where does she get all this great information?The answer is, the internet. The real skill lies in knowing where to look. So, I decided this week I would post about the websites I visit most often.


The websites are listed in no particular order. Search through them and find out which one works best for you. If you have any questions, as always feel free to email or comment.


Buying Art Online
- Etsy
- 20x200
- artnet


News
- ARTINFO
- artnews.org
- Mutual Art
- FAD art fast news

- Dallas Fine Arts Examiner*

- artandseek


Social Networks
- ArtReview
- ARThood
- Art Education 2.0


Blogs
- Art Re-Source
- Art Fag City
- Art Rabbit
- Art: 21 Blog
- Art Observed
- Contemporary Art Daily


Academic
- Cornucopia
- The Social History of Art
- History of Art Timeline
- ArtLex: Art Dictionary
- Berger Foundation World Art Treasures


To find more websites try:
- Exploratorium
- Incredible Art


Note: I am taking a little vacation time to travel through Europe, but I will be back on mid-June.  Enjoy perusing through these websites in the meantime! 


* The Dallas Fine Arts Examiner and artandseek are specifically catered to North Texas events. If you are not interested in knowing about art events in Dallas, do a quick search of your local newspapers to find an art news section you like in your area.  

Gallery and Exhibition Review: Palermo, Sicily

Art should not always be a planned event. Nor can it be. Sometimes you stumble on to something and it's just wonderful. Last weekend was one such circumstance. It seemed like the universe understood that I was too stressed to go visit a gallery, so it brought one to me.

As happens every Sunday, I headed to the local church here to spend a little time away from the hustle and bustle of the city, to retreat into my own thoughts. I was pleasantly surprised by an impromptu gallery exhibition taking place in the parish community center. A non-profit organization, the Religiosi Camilliani of Palermo, was fundraising by selling photographs by Marina Scardavi. The exhibition, Bimbi del Mondo (Children of the World), portrayed  just that. 

As we shuffled from the nave of Maria Ss. Assunta in Mondello-Valdesi to the small gallery space in a back room, the program director stated "you aren't in church anymore, feel free to discuss the work." I smiled, but noticed no one took the words to heart. For once, Sicilians were left speechless. This was most likely due to the nature of the images. To say that the photographs were touching would be understating their value. Scardavi was able to create a relationship between the viewer and the "Bimbi" without being trite. She didn't ridicule the children by focusing solely on their poverty. In fact, most of the images did not even reference this lack of wealth. Images of happiness were juxtaposed next to those of suffering. 


I knew I was in a different space, no longer in the sacred confines of the church, but I thought that choosing this location was very appropriate. The emphasis of the photographs lay in their ability to show innocence, happiness, tranquility, and quiet suffering. The audience was a group of people who had been sitting in quiet meditation for the better part of an hour. Upon viewing the images, I was already at a prime place to begin contemplation, undisturbed by the chaos of the outside world. It was thought-provoking and moving.


This was a happening in every sense of the term. The exhibition was pure in its intensions and did not fail to pleasantly surprise. 

Event and Art Fairs: Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Okay, I have to admit something, because of how events have fallen into place the next two weeks are switched a bit. Instead of enjoying a Gallery or Exhibition Review this week, you will get an awesome listing on Events and Art Fairs in Dallas, Texas. Yes, the art:SAGE letters will then be out of order, but the art world will continue to spin.

For those of you who missed out on the CityArts Fest that took place from the 7th-9th of May, no worries, you still have plenty of art festival fun coming your way. The Wildflower Festival will be held at the Galatyn Park Urban Center in Richardson, Texas this weekend. The event is still going strong after 18 years of success. Although mainly a music festival, you can enjoy great events for families with plenty of festival food and some art exhibitions. It's sure to be a good time for all.  There are so many activities packed into these three days that I suggest checking  the website for the full lineup of events! 

If you don't get enough art during the Wildflower Festival, be sure to head to McKinney for the Art Walk  on Saturday, May 22nd from 10 am to 6 pm. Unlike the Wildflower festival, this is event is FREE! Yes, my favorite word! So enjoy the 75+ artists that have gathered in McKinney's Historic Downtown. 

Like art and movies (or artsy movies), well then try something different this summer.  The Modern in Fort Worth just started a film series called Magnolia at the Modern. The selection of films presented by the Magnolia Theater at the Museum includes The Secret in Their Eyes, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and City of Your Final Destination. It began last weekend and will happen every weekend until July 25th. Although tickets are $8.50 a pop, its a great way to opportunity to get out to Fort Worth! My suggestion, give your car are break and take the train from Reunion Station to Fort Worth. Then spend the day in the Cultural District (yes, on foot)! 

Alright, tune back next week for my gallery review. (And don't worry, it will all go back to normal after that!)