Discover Amazing Photographic Art Work Through Ten Miles Square

Article and Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

The Managing and Arts Editor for DCist is a busy woman. Just earlier this month, Heather Goss, opened I'm With The Band at Dahlak, featuring the concert imagery by Kyle Gustafson (shown in image to the left), Nestor Diaz and Martin Locraft.  (And if you haven't been yet, you have till May 3rd, so you better get crack-a-lackin if you want a tasty combination of rockin' photography paired with an Eritrean dinner and washed down with a $3 Stella).  And, this Saturday night, Heather does it again with the opening of  "Flaunt: Photography & Fashion Collaboration," at the Honfleur Gallery.

Produced in association with Rachel Cothran's Project Beltway, Flaunt features four outstanding photographers--Joshua Yospyn (shown on the left in image on the right), John Ulaszek, Meaghan Gay, and Steve Goldenberg--paired with four local fashion designers--Dana Greaves, Taimur Baig, Lara Akinsanya, and Will Sharp--creating an ultimate combination in the visual arts.  This exhibit also appropriately includes a fashion show on June 6th, so mark your calendar.

Because of people like Heather, Rachel, as well as Philippa Hughes (The Pink Line Project), DC is discovering how rich it's art, fashion and photography scene truly is and many local, up-and-coming artists are finally getting the platform and exposure they deserve.  Not to mention, those who would love to indulge in the hobby of art collecting, now have a true starting point.

Having covered visual art in DC for DCist, since 2006, Heather also created and now organizes their annual Exposed Photography Show, which has exhibited at Warehouse, Civilian Art Projects and Flashpoint.  Through this experience, she discovered an opportunity.  Recognizing the amazing amount of unknown talent in DC, Heather created Ten Miles Square and uses an unconventional formula that appeals to present times:  promoting local photographers through independent businesses, while fostering a new generation of art collectors by offering genuine pieces at affordable prices--a similar method that also works for Philippa Hughes (shown in photo on left).

Even though she doesn't market Ten Miles Square as a mentor program, she often finds herself treating it as a mentorship.  Pricing, for example, can be quite a mystery for many a modest artist.  Heather encourages pricing to sell, but discourages undervaluing, as well.  This basis for pricing speaks more to the reality of today's economy, rather, than the opinion of the art peice.  "It's not a discussion of how great your work is," Heather explains.

Heather's efforts show that it's not necessary to spend $10K, say, on a work of art, just to be a "true" art collector.  However, spending $50 on a framed photo at Pier 1 or IKEA doesn't count, either.  Going to these artshows and exhibits is a great way to find out what moves you, meet the artists, visit with other art collectors, and maybe even get something original and meaningful to you at an affordable price.

Many who want to start collecting are intimidated, at first.  They are often a bit worried about what others may think of their opinions, tastes, etc, when, in fact, that is not the case, at all.  "It's good because you say it's good.  It's good because you bought it," advises Heather.

As for artists who are interested in working with Ten Miles Square to showcase their work, Heather suggests getting out more often and going to these and other shows to discover more work, get your name out there, visit and network with other artists and find inspiration in their work.  She also advises shooting often, while keeping an eye on what you like.  Finding the niche, so to speak.  "Take one picture that you like and find what you like about it and keep shooting like that." 

Plus, she says getting on Flickr and contributing to things like DCist is also a great way to get noticed.  One of the reasons why Heather is so great at what she does is her visual memory and she browses Flickr, all the time. 

Heather admits that she is also a photographer, but not to the degree of the photographers she represents. When asked what her niche is, she laughs and says "My niche is  to organize these shows!"

Let's not forget that her niche also includes writing about art, which she loves to do and it shows.

Heather's experience puts her in a prime position to advise both artists and collectors.  Considered one of DC's top experts in photography art, she has been a guest on the Kojo Nnamdi Show, speaking on the topic of art in the metro area and, in addition to DCist, her writings have also appeared on the Washingtonian web site.  Most recently, for the first annual FotoWeekDC contest, Heather was chosen to sit on a jury panel that included Pulitzer Prize winner Deanne Fitzmaurice and Joyce Tenneson, who is the 2005 Fine Art Photographer of the Year.   Top all of this off with a day job working as an attorney at a large law firm in downtown DC, and you have what could be one of the busiest Washingtonians of today.

Honfleur Gallery Presents FLAUNT: 

Photograph by Joshua Yospyn
Photography & Fashion Collaboration,
A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION AND RUNWAY SHOW
April 25, 2009 - June 13, 2009

This spring, The Honfleur Gallery will premiere Flaunt: Photography & Fashion Collaboration, a special exhibition showcasing emerging local talent in photography and fashion design. To highlight the synergy between the two mediums, the show will feature two events:  an opening launch on Saturday, April 25, 2009, and a runway show on June 6, 2009. 
 
Flaunt, produced in association with Ten Miles Square and Project Beltway, LLC, will feature new fashion portrait work by photographers Joshua Yospyn, John Ulaszek, Meaghan Gay, and Steve Goldenberg.  The work is the result of collaborations with local fashion designers Dana Greaves, Taimur Baig, Lara Akinsaya, and Will Sharp, who will showoff their talent as their clothes grace the runway.
 
An artistic experiment of sorts, Flaunt aims to challenge and explore the notions of what constitutes fashion photography. "This unique visual event revolves around the concept that the beauty of art is its lack of fixed rules and definitions," says Heather Goss, founder of Ten Miles Square. "Each photographer captured the essence of high fashion in their own terms, as did each designer."
 
The show is meant not only to ignite discussion about fashion photography as a genre, but also to remind DC residents and artists of the ongoing need for a strong artistic- and affordable- voice in the community. "Creativity is something we can't afford to lose in this economy, but unfortunately so many designers are limited by what sells," says Rachel Cothran, founder of Project Beltway, LLC. "This show in many ways is about the artists and their explosive creative vision; visions that should not be hindered by a desire to sell, but rather embraced for their desire to create works that define their style."
 
The opening exhibition and runway show promise an outstanding soundtrack further promoting local artists including DJ Felipe. The Honfleur Gallery is located at 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE within Historic Anacostia, between the 11th Street Bridge and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE. Free and Open to the Public- Don't miss out on this first-time collaboration.
 
The Honfleur Gallery exhibits & represents both fine contemporary arts & artists, while also incorporating non-salable, socially-minded exhibitions & installations. Honfleur aims to provide better access to The Arts for residents "East of the Anacostia River," D.C., Affordable Artist Workspace and a diverse range of Artistic Opportunities for Washington D.C. www.honfleurgallery.com  

Ten Miles Square is a venture to promote local photographers through independent, art supporting businesses, while also nurturing a new generation of collectors by offering real art at affordable prices. www.tenmilessquare.com
 
Project Beltway started as a local street-style blog and has evolved into an insider resource for all things fashion in D.C. www.projectbeltway.com