Petri Dish at Target Gallery

Target Gallery takes a “scientific” look at artist experimentation with its upcoming small works show “Petri Dish.”

When: December 1-31, 2011; December 8, 6-8pm reception to meet artists and the juror, Jesse Cohen; Juror talk at 7pm

Free wine tasting by Glen Manor Vineyards during the reception along with chocolate, and sparkling wine.

Special Programming: December 9; 2-4pm: Experimental mixed-media workshop and artist talk with Petri Dish artist, Leah Schreiber, Fee: $15

Where: Target Gallery @ the Torpedo Factory Art Center

Description: Petri Dish is a national, all-media, small works exhibition that has the primary focus of artist experimentation.  The work in the exhibition will fit within a standard Petri dish.  Our juror was Jesse Cohen, DC artist, scientist, and gallery owner.

More Info: www.torpedofactory.org/target

Location: Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 North Union Street, Alexandria

Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm and until 9pm on Thursdays

(Alexandria, VA)  Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Target Gallery presents for the December exhibition a small works show that highlights artist experimentation.  All of the work will be displayed in standard size Petri dishes.  The exhibition will run from December 1-31 with a reception on December 8 from 6-8pm and a special workshop and artist talk with one of the Petri dish artists, Leah Schreiber, on December 9 from 2-4pm. 

Out of 142 works to choose from, our juror, Jesse Cohen, selected 52 for the exhibition.  The artists are from across the country with five DC area artists in the exhibition.  The artists were required to submit work that would fit within the standard dimensions of a Petri dish.

Artists in the exhibition include: Doug Anderson (OR), Joanne Strehle Bast (PA), Lindsey Beal (IA), Paula Jeanine Bennett (NY), Elle Brande (MD), Melissa Burley (MD), Eric D. Charlton (PA), Shayna Egan (IL), Sarah Girdzius (IL), Jessica Joy Goldberg (MI), Jasmyne Graybill (TX), Amy Gross (FL), Hana Hong (IL), Gary Irby (MD), Hugh Jones (VA), Elaine Luther (IL), James Mai (IL), Daniel Miller (IL), Jessi Moore (IL), Jane Ogren (PA), John Olsen (NY), Kate Patsch (VA), Michael Peterson (UT), Melissa Precise (AL), Jysikka Ryan (FL), Leah Schreiber (WI), Gail Smuda (NH), Diane Stemper (OH), Keri Straka (MA), Jessica Tolbert (IL), Mary Weidner (PA), Joyce Yamada (NY),

Special Programming: The gallery has invited Petri Dish artist, Leah Schreiber, emerging Milwaukee, Wisconsin artist, to lead an experimental mixed media workshop building on the concepts of the gallery exhibition.  Leah will demonstrate the application of digital images to printmaking paper using DASS Classic Transfer Film as the first step in a fun layering process, creating small, fantastical works of art inspired by scientific discovery. Workshop fee: $15, space is limited and artists can apply for workshop by contacting the Target Gallery directly at targetgallery@torpedofactory.org.

About the Juror: Jesse Cohen is a Washington, DC area native. He is an artist who works in alternative process photography. By day, he works in biological research. In 2004, he founded artdc.org, a grass roots movement with a membership of over 2400 members. In 2009 he founded Fine Art Ventures, LLC and the artdc Gallery in Hyattsville, MD.

Gallery Information: Target Gallery, exhibition space of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, promotes high standards of art by continuously exploring new ideas through the visual media in a schedule of national and international exhibitions. Located on the ground floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the gallery is open daily 10am-6pm and until 9pm on Thursdays.

Torpedo Factory Art Center information: The art center is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to enhance public art appreciation and education.  The art center has 82 artist studios, 160 working artists, 6 galleries, the Art League School, and the City of Alexandria’s Archeology Museum.  Located on the Waterfront in Old Town Alexandria, the art center is open daily, 10am-6pm and until 9pm on Thursdays.