Transformer’s Executive & Artistic Director Victoria Reis and Board President James Alefantis participated in a dynamic convening of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts’ Warhol Initiative June 19-22, 2008 in New Orleans, LA.

Transformer joined over 175 executive directors, curators, and board members from more than 59 of our peer alternative, non-profit arts organizations and publications this past weekend in New Orleans for the 3rd convening of the Warhol Foundation’s Warhol Initiative grantees. The Warhol Initiative is a unique national grant program providing substantial three-year capacity-building support for selected visual arts organizations.

This weekend marked the 10th anniversary of this exceptional and visionary grant program that supports a broad range of contemporary visual art spaces, and more recently arts publications, throughout the country – some celebrating their 40th, 30th, and 25th years of operations, and some as new as two years old. Transformer joined Stage II of the Initiative in March 2005, geared at supporting relatively young organizations that operate on modest budgets, and are regarded by the foundation as "the next generation of artist spaces."

Victoria Reis was part of the convening planning committee, which included executive directors from Aurora Picture Show, Creative Time, MACLA, Project Row Houses, Southern Exposure, Smack Mellon, and White Columns. This group met several times beginning in September 2007 to plan the agenda for the New Orleans convening, which was developed based on feedback from their Warhol Initiative peers and with support from Foundation staff and LarsonAllen consultants.

Emphasizing the importance of peer-led sessions that would allow Warhol Initiative participants to share their own experiences and expertise with each other, the convening provided an incredibly stimulating environment for free idea exchange, critical inquiry, and honest self-reflection. Addressing issues such as community engagement, evolving models for curatorial practice, collaborations, marketplace, creative technologies, real estate and the various size and shapes of organizational spaces, as well as a number of other issues identified by the field, Transformer’s Executive Director and Board President participated in a number of thought-provoking and energizing conversations with their peers.

"This convening of arts organizations and arts leaders - all presenting high-quality artistic ideas, all singled out for well-earned support from the Andy Warhol Foundation - highlighted the strengths, abilities, and challenges of this vital community. We all relished the rare opportunity of brainstorming with working members of this field to further our common goals of supporting artists and alternative expression. It was personally inspiring to witness Executive Director Victoria Reis' and Transformer's important leadership and respect from its peers of strong and opinionated alternative arts spaces. I was very proud,” states Alefantis.

“Having grown up professionally in this field and working with many of these dynamic arts leaders since my early twenties as staff at the National Association of Artists’ Organizations, it was an incredible honor to be able to ‘sit at the table’ as the Director of Transformer and participate in conversations with people who are taking risks on a daily basis in deciding on how they shape their organizations, what artists they present, and how they work within their communities to make change. It was truly an inspiring convening, and I look forward to implementing much of what I learned at Transformer as our organization continues to grow,” says Reis.

All Here & Now Artwork Returned to Artists

Following several weeks of negotiating with Four Points, LLC and the District of Columbia Regulatory Administration, Transformer is very pleased to share that all work within the 1840 14th Street, NW space featured in Transformer’s Here & Now exhibition has been removed and is in the process of being returned to the artists. Our continued thanks to all of the artists featured in this portion of the exhibition for their incredible patience and support throughout.

Special thanks to Chief Fire Inspector Ken Wilson for accommodating our removal of the artwork, and to all of the artists and volunteers who assisted in de-installing this exhibition.

STAFF CHANGES AT TRANSFORMER

Transformer is very pleased to welcome new staff member Marissa Long, who is joining Transformer's team as Gallery Manager & Program Coordinator. Marissa is an artist and graduate of the Corcoran College of Art & Design. She brings several years of arts and project management experience to Transformer having worked with DC galleries Fusebox and Randall Scott Gallery, area developers Metropolis, as well as providing personal assistance and collections management to collector Lorie Peters Lauthier. We are thrilled to have Marissa on staff!

Additionally, we are very pleased to have Addie Johnson joining us as a part-time Development Assistant. A relatively recent transplant to Washington from Colorado, Addie has been building experience as an intern with the Washington Project for the Arts as well as a marketing firm that focuses on non-profit management. She is currently completing her Masters in Museum Studies at the George Washington University with an emphasis on marketing and development.

Transformer's Board and staff would also like to wish our departing Gallery Manager & Program Assistant Dave Gustine the best of luck in his new endeavors. Dave is relocating to Brooklyn, NY in early April. Dave has been an integral part of Transformer's team for the last several years, starting as an intern while finishing his BFA at the Corcoran (2005-2006), and growing in his role with Transformer to become our full time staff Program Assistant in June 2006, and then Gallery Manager in 2007. Dave we are very grateful for all of our hard work and support!!

Please join us in welcoming Marissa and Addie and saying goodbye to Dave at the March 22 reception for our new exhibition Hatnim Lee Photographs, September 2006 - December 2007.

Now active here on Transformer's website:

FRAMEWORK Panel #7 - Art School, Confidential: Rethinking Art Education

VIDEO & BLOG

If you weren't able to attend this panel presented Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at George Washington University, you can now view the video here.

Designed as a facilitated discussion focused on the changing values and practices in the sphere of art education, Art School, Confidential: Rethinking Art Education brought together an esteemed group of area artists and professors in a dialogue about the influence of art schools in the lives of artists, and on the direction of contemporary art-making within the larger arts landscape.

Featuring panelists Billy Colbert (Adjunct Faculty, American University), Maggie Michael, Brandon Morse (Associate Professor of Digital Media & Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Art, University of Maryland, College Park, MD), Renee Stout, and Rex Weil (Professor of Art Theory, University of Maryland, College Park, MD), and moderated by Dean Kessman (Assistant Professor of Photography, George Washington University), the sixty minute panel discussion was followed by a thirty minute question and answer segment with the audience.

Also new on Transformer's website -- the Framework Panel Series Blog. In an effort to continue the conversation started at GWU around this important topic, Transformer is moderating a new blog for artists and arts enthusiasts.

4th ANNUAL TRANSFORMER SILENT AUCTION & BENEFIT PARTY
A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS!

Many thanks to all of the Artists, our Host Committee, Sponsors, and Guests for making the 4th Annual Transformer Benefit Party our BEST fundraising event yet!

The 4th Annual Transformer Silent Auction & Benefit Party on Saturday, November 17 was the latest and greatest in what has become a much-anticipated, fun and fabulous way to support DC's top artist-centered visual arts organization.

With sold out attendance just weeks into publicly announcing the event, Transformer's Board and Staff are so incredibly pleased to share that this year's Auction grossed a little over $150,000 - with 1/3 of proceeds going directly to participating Auction artists!! In addition to supporting artists through the event itself, the auction provides essential support for Transformer's year-round programming, exhibitions, and services for emerging artists and the community.

We were thrilled to hold this year's Auction at Halcyon House in the gorgeous studio of Washington's leading sculptor, John Dreyfuss. Many thanks to John, and all of the staff at Halcyon House for their wonderful support.

In addition to viewing and bidding on an eclectically curated mix of artworks by over 100 of Washington's top contemporary visual artists, guests were dancing to the beats of Djs Yellow Fever, Kalani of Punami Sound System, and Kid Congo Powers. Delicious complimentary hors d'oeuvres, ginger martinis, wine and beer were served throughout the evening provided by some of DC's finest restaurants, including: Bombay Club, Buck's Fishing & Camping, Cafe Saint-Ex, Comet Ping-Pong, Hook, Jaleo, Leopold's Kafe, Mate, Perry's, Rosa Mexicano, Sea Catch, Viridian and Zaytinya as well as Paisley Fig and Melt Catering.

Special thanks to Saied Azali of Perry's and his three sushi chefs for preparing and presenting fresh tuna and salmon sashimi on site!

Proceeds from the 4th Annual Transformer Silent Auction & Benefit Party will match recent grant awards, directly supporting artists through artist honoraria, exhibition material costs, and related programming support. In addition to supporting exhibitions, proceeds will support artists through the funding of Transformer programs such as The Exercises - a peer-mentorship program for emerging artists, as well as The Framework Panel Series, and our ongoing professional development work to help artists help themselves.

We cannot thank everyone involved in organizing and supporting this year's Auction enough for the overwhelming output of support. We look forward to seeing you all throughout the coming year and at next year's Auction!

For a list of participating Auction artists & supporters, as well as more fun party picks, click here.

Look for a spread in DC Magazine's January issue for additional Auction party picks and a write up of the event.

For further info on Transformer and the 4th Annual Transformer Silent Auction & Benefit Party contact Transformer at 202.483.1102, info@transformergallery.org, or visit the Auction page.

Special Thanks to Departing Board Member Paige Conner Totaro

As we begin a new fiscal year and our 6th year of operations this summer, Transformer's Board and staff would like to extend a very special thanks to Paige Conner Totaro for her incredible work and support as a member of Transformer's Board of Directors since our inception in 2002. Paige played a major role in facilitating Transformer's advanced ruling 501 (c ) 3, non-profit status, and has championed the organization through its first five years of growth serving more than two board terms as Transformer's Board Secretary, as well as a member of our last three Auction Host Committees with her husband John Totaro.

Our tremendous thanks for your great energy, hard work and support Paige!! We all look forward to our continued work with Paige as she furthers her commitment to the Board of the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, and wish her the best of luck in all of her endeavors.

Recent Grant Awards

Transformer is very pleased to announce the receipt of two major grant awards.

In recognition of our exhibitions, programs and support for emerging artists, Transformer has been awarded a two-year grant of $50,000 from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to support our exhibitions. This award marks five years of support for Transformer from the country's leading national arts foundation.

Additionally, in recognition of our work within the Washington, DC arts community, Transformer has been awarded a $20,000 grant for the 07/08 fiscal year from the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation to support our general operations.

Transformer extends our sincerest thanks to these two important foundations, their program officers, and Board members for the continued recognition and support of our work to connect and promote emerging visual artists, and further contemporary art dialogue within Washington, DC and beyond.

Have you read the latest press about Transformer's current exhibition Not only A, but also B ?

See the links below and then make up your own mind!

Come by Transformer this Saturday, June 2, 2007 before your visits to our neighbor galleries' openings and judge for yourself. Exhibition hours are 1-7pm. Featuring dynamic and compelling work by some of Japan's most exciting young artists, Not only A, but also B is up through June 16, and then travels to Scope Basel with our guest curator Atsuko Ninagawa and TAKEFLOOR404&502 GALLERY.

We think the exhibition is "expletive" awesome.

The Washington City Paper: Not Only A, but also B

The Washington Post: Big in Japan

Not only A, but also B

Part of "Big in Japan" cross-town collaborative exhibition with Shigeko Bork Mu Project

May12 - June 16, 2007

Exploring the duality in Japanese art today, Transformer is partnering with Shigeko Bork Mu Project to present "Big in Japan" a cross-town collaborative exhibition featuring a diverse array of contemporary Japanese artists who interpret and respond to the tradition and popular culture of Japan.

Transformer presents Not Only A, But Also B - featuring work by Aki Goto, Misaki Kawai, Chikara Matsumoto, Kazuyuki Takezaki, and Soju Tao (work pictured here), each embodying the tensions affecting a new generation of contemporary artists in Japan. Not only A, But Also B is guest-curated by Atsuko Ninagawa, curator, and partner of TAKEFLOOR404&502, Toyko, Japan.

Click here to download a pdf of the press release, including the curator's statement that provides interesting and important context for viewing the work.

Shigeko Bork Mu Project presents Meditation Rooms featuring Yumi Kori and Shinji Turner-Yamamoto, whose works uniquely incorporate ancient Japanese tradition and contemporary culture.

Shigeko Bork Mu Project, 1521 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, # 2 - www.muproject.com

Please join Transformer and the National Museum of Women in the Arts for:

Role Model Workshop: The Economics of Art with Transformer's Angela Jerardi

Saturday, May 19, 2007

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Free. Reservations required. Call 202-783-7370 or email reservations@nmwa.org.

Is art a product? How did artists of the past promote and sell their works? How do today's artists earn a living? How does one transition from a "starving artist" to a "working artist?" Discuss these questions during this workshop which begins with a tour of Italian Women Artists from Renaissance to Baroque at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and continues to Transformer, a non-profit visual arts organization. Transformer's development associate, Angela Jerardi, will help you explore the ins and outs of the art business in the twenty-first century. Presented in conjunction with Italian Women Artists from Renaissance to Baroque. Open to high school students and college undergraduates.

For more information, please visit the National Musuem of Women in the Arts' website.

Transformer welcomes Ryan Hill to the Board of Directors

Ryan Hill recently relocated to Washington, DC to become the Manager of Interpretive Programs and the Curatorial Research Associate at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, where he is responsible for the management and training provided on each exhibition, as well as inter-departmental collaborations and artist oriented projects.

Prior to this, Ryan worked for five years at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and six years at the Museum of Contemporary Art. At MOCA, Ryan worked as an educator in every aspect of the department's programming. His last years at MOCA had him working administratively with Adult Programs' lecture and symposia series, touring for the gallery education program, giving exhibition-related teacher workshops for the public school system (CAS - Contemporary Art Start) and aiding families in art activities for the Family Weekends.

In addition to his museum experience, Ryan has worked extensively as an educator and artist. In Los Angeles, Ryan was an adjunct faculty member teaching art and media studies courses to undergraduates at Marymount College, and was a visiting lecturer at all of the Los Angeles based art schools. In New York he taught education courses at the CUNY Graduate Center and the 92nd Street Y Arts Program. He will be starting a class for GWU this summer that will be taught at the Hirshhorn museum.

He has been a practicing artist for twenty years, particularly in performance, showing at non-profit art spaces and conferences nationally and internationally. During his years in Los Angeles, he was director of FAR, Foundation for Art Resources in Los Angeles, and served on the Board of Side Street Projects. Ryan is interested in art and artists that bridge issues of social practice with their surrounding communities. He looks forward to sharing his skills and experience in his new role as a Board Member of Transformer.

3.31.07 - Comet Ping Pong Party Great Success!

Thanks to everyone who attended and performed at the March 31 Transformer benefit party at Comet Ping-Pong featuring live music by the Apes and Spoils of NW, as well as the dj stylings of DJ Phoenix Crane. Your $5 cover price donation and bar receipts raised over $1500 in support for Transformer's programs! Thank you!

3.07 - Angela Jerardi joins Transformer's staff as Development Associate

Transformer is extremely pleased to announce the addition of a new staff member, Angela Jerardi, who joins us as Development Associate effective immediately.

Ms. Jerardi joins Transformer's current staff: Victoria Reis, Executive Director, and Dave Gustine, Program Assistant. "On behalf of Transformer's Board of Directors and staff, I am thrilled to welcome Angela to Transformer. I am very excited to have her collaboration in furthering Transformer's mission and programs on behalf of emerging artists and emerging contemporary art," states Reis.

"I look forward to cultivating new relationships for Transformer - a uniquely artist-centered organization, and to working with Victoria, Dave, the Board and the community to build support for Transformer's important programs," states Jerardi.

Angela Jerardi is an arts professional and curator who has worked with a number of Washington, DC arts organizations, including the Freer and Sackler Galleries, Smithsonian Institution, and the Arts Council of Fairfax County. She has curated a number of area exhibitions and also co-founded District of Ladies, a DC-based feminist art collective. Recent exhibitions include "re:place," co-produced with the Gateway Georgia Avenue Revitalization Corporation in Silver Spring, MD, and "CONSUME" at the Gallery at Flashpoint, Washington, DC. She graduated from Earlham College and has conducted primary research in Kunming, China on contemporary art production, which was subsequently published by Yunnan Normal University.

This Wednesday, March 7, 2007, Transformer in partnership with Provisions Library presents: Framework Panel #5 - The Role of the Arts Writer: Critiquing Art Criticism. This fifth panel in Transformer's dynamic Framework Panel Series will focus on the function of arts writing and contemporary arts criticism. Participating panelists include: Rachel Beckman of The Washington Post, art critic Glenn Dixon of the Washington Post Express, art critic and author Andy Grundberg, Glenn Harper of Sculpture Magazine, and Kriston Capps of the Washington City Paper and Grammar Police. The panel will be moderated by Ryan Hill, Manager of Interpretive Programs and Curatorial Research Associate for the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution.

Framework Panel #5 - The Role of the Arts Writer: Critiquing Art Criticism takes place this Wednesday, March 7, 2007 from 6:30 - 8pm at Provisions Library. Attendance for this event is free. Seating is on a first come, first seated basis. Click here to download the full press release in PDF format.

Transformer's Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Victoria Reis as Executive Director of Transformer as of May 16, 2006.

Transformer was founded by Victoria Reis and Jayme McLellan in 2002 to serve the artists of Washington, DC and beyond. Transformer has enjoyed great success over the past four years providing a broad range of cultural experiences to artists and audiences. With steadfast community support, the organization has grown into a nationally recognized, vitally important support system for emerging artists.

"It has been an honor to work with Jayme McLellan in building Transformer and establishing its mission - to connect and promote emerging artists while serving as a catalyst and advocate for emergent expression in the visual arts. As Executive Director, I look forward to working with Transformer's dedicated board of directors, advisors, artists, and the community in furthering our programs and services as Transformer enters its 5th year of operations this June 2006," says Reis.

"I am confident that Victoria Reis will excel in her new role as Executive Director of Transformer and will further the organizations mission in support of artists and the community." - Brigitte Reyes, Transformer Board President

Jayme McLellan resigned from her position as co-director of Transformer to become the Interim Executive Director of Women & Philanthropy - a national leadership organization of grant-makers. She served as Director of Development for Women & Philanthropy for two years (2002-2004) while also co-directing Transformer.

Dave Gustine, a recent graduate of The Corcoran College of Art & Design and Transformer intern for the past eight months, has been hired as Transformer's part-time Program Assistant. Transformer will also be contracting an Auction Coordinator to assist with development and implementation of Transformer's 3rd Annual Silent Auction and Fundraiser to be held in late October 2006.