The Antenna Grant for Women in the Arts

The Antenna Grant for Women in the Arts offers financial support and mentorship for young women of color pursuing an education, training, and/or career in the visual arts (sculpture, 2-dimensional work, drawing, painting, textiles, film, installations, murals, etc). Awards are based on artistic merit, evidence of commitment to a career in the arts, and financial need.

Eligibility
This grant is for female-identifying visual artists between the ages of 16-23. Priority will be given to women of color and those with financial need (documentation may be required).

Applicants must have a home address in Jersey City, or be pursuing their education in Jersey City.

Grantees will be required to submit reports of their progress at the end of the scholarship period.

Use of Grant

A scholarship of up to $1,500, which can be put towards artistic training and growth, including but not limited to: educational programs, college, materials, self-education, studio space, lessons, projects, etc.

The scholarship period runs for 6 months (starting in January 2023). During that time grantees will be provided mentorship opportunities with professional women artists, including a welcome luncheon, opportunities to visit professional artist studios, virtual consulting, and collaboration on next steps at the end of the scholarship period.

Grant Panelists

The Antenna Grant review panel will include local artists, ME, Theda Sandiford, Danielle Scott, and Shamona Stokes.

Deadline to apply is November 13, 2022.

APPLY HERE

Inspired By… Machine Dazzle

One of the best things about Surface Design is their TEXTILE TALK series.

Textile Talks features weekly presentations and panel discussions from the International Quilt Museum, Quilt Alliance, San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, Studio Art Quilt Associates, and Surface Design Association.

This episode highlights the themes, objects, and extravagant style of the exhibition Queer Maximalism x Machine Dazzle currently on view at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City.

The exhibition is a solo presentation of the genre-defying artist Matthew Flower, better known as Machine Dazzle. A provocateur commanding an expanded repertoire of costume design, stagecraft, performance, and music, he is also a virtuoso practitioner of the visual language of queer maximalism.

Elissa Auther, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and the William and Mildred Lasdon Chief Curator at the Museum of Arts and Design, examine the ways in which Machine Dazzle counters the prejudices of high culture and transforms bodies through sculptural materials and ornamentation. SDA board member, Michael Sylvan Robinson moderates.

Fabulous Surfaces: Queer Maximalism x Machine Dazzle (MAD Museum and SDA)

Inspired By: a Fur-Lined Teacup

I was recently asked if Meret Oppenheim’s fur-lined teacup, inspired Blackty Black Blanket.

According to the MOMA,  Object was inspired by a conversation between Oppenheim, Pablo Picasso, and photographer Dora Maar at a Paris café. Admiring Oppenheim’s fur-trimmed bracelets, Picasso remarked that one could cover just about anything with fur. “Even this cup and saucer,” Oppenheim replied.

Blackty Black Blanket came about by completely by happenstance. I tossed a partially finished zip tie blanket onto the white chaise in my studio and turned around to work on the computer. Later when i got up to leave the room and saw the blanket draped on the chaise, I did a double take and knew the Chaise and blanket belonged together.

I lost a comfortable place in my studio to lounge but gained a subtle yet powerful way to communicate how discomforting microaggressions feel.

Blackty Black Blanket, 2020

Inspired By: Julia Child

I am a foodie because of my mom ad Julia Child.

I grew up watching reruns of The French Chef, with my mom and tasting her culinary experiments. We use to spin the global and learn the recipes from wherever we landed. HBO Max’s series Julia Child has me reminiscing about the delicious aromas coming from my mom’s kitchen.

When the film, Julia and Julia came out, I bought Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol 1 and Vol 2 and have been working my way through both cookbooks ever since. Now McCarty has discovered the cookbooks and is trying a few recipes himself. Lucky me. `

Inspired By…

I have not yet been to Donum Estate to taste their wine in Carneros, between the Napa and Sonoma valleys.

But now I must go… taste their wine in their new Olafur Eliasson and architect Sebastian Behmann—wine-tasting pavilion.

And then stick around to see their sculpture collection. They have an El Anatsui and Louise Bourgeois and 48 other works on display

Learning More About Eva Hesse

Using industrial materials not common to art in the 1960’s, sculptor Eva Hesse developed a powerful, influential style, attaining widespread fame and dying in the same month of her short, difficult life.

More Eva Hesse work. I am fascinated by her ropes dipped in latex and then hung to dry…

You Tube MFA: Mayan Weaving Traditions

I long been a fan of indigenous Guatemalan weaving, but I did not know that wearing traditional clothing was dangerous up until the end of a 36-year-long civil war in 1996. In the years following the war, groups of women have banded together to sustain themselves and their families through weaving.

Note to self: boiled banana plant stalks are a natural dye for PURPLE.

Researching Ideas

on how to process the Bamboo in my neighborhood in St. Croix.

Kim Dong-sik is a fourth-generation craftsman making hapjukseon, a traditional Korean fan. These fans date back at least 350 years to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) and were used by only the royal family and aristocrats. Kim is one of the few artisans making this fan today

Inspired by…

As I am ruminating on new audio and lighting installation elements for Free Your Mind, I’ve been looking at lots of James Turrell for inspiration. His installations feature the use of natural and artificial light, along with colour and space, to create a vibe for contemplation.

I need to figure out how to fit in a road trip to see his new work, Green Mountain Falls Skyspace near Colorado Springs.

 photograph, David Lauer Photography.