ARTIST GEOFF GRACE WINS $25,000 SONDHEIM ARTSCAPE PRIZE
As you could tell from his honest and impromptu acceptance speech, Geoff Grace is a super nice person. And he’s funny. No theatrical art histronics, no drama, just a humble teacher, musician, thinker, and do-er. He seemed genuinely surprised to win the award, despite his participation in two previous Artscape finals. I have to admit I didn’t see it coming, despite the glowing description in this week’s CP: “There’s simply something awkwardly and familiarly vulnerable in the human impulse to want to trap reality and cozily hold it to the bosom as a framed memory on the wall–an act as crazy beautiful as a beast that adapted to eat from the tops of hard to reach foliage that still has to bow down to drink.”
I love the piece ‘it’s the linger, not the long’ because it’s warm and poetic. I love it because I like reading other people’s love letters. I love it because it doesn’t TRY to say anything, but says volumes. And I love it because it’s just a little bit goofy and sentimental. This prize couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
Bio: Geoff Grace, an active member of the Baltimore art and music scene, has exhibited nationally and widely in the area. His exhibition history includes shows at Baltimore spaces Gallery Four, Maryland Art Place, the 5th Story, School 33 Art Center, the Rosenberg Gallery, the Contemporary Museum, Artscape, The Baltimore Museum of Art and Area 405, as well as public art pieces in the Station North Arts & Entertainment District and at Lexington and Howard Streets. He was also a semi-finalist for the 2006 Sondheim Prize and a finalist for the 2007 award. Grace grew up in Maryland and returned to Baltimore in the summer of 2000 after time spent in California, Florida, and on the Pacific Ocean. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts in Teaching from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He currently teaches art and photography at Overlea High School in Baltimore County. For the 2008 Sondheim Prize Finalists exhibition, Grace created an installation of photographs, drawings, and objects with clay wall drawings called it’s the linger, not the long (2008).
Grace and his congratulatory blown glass … vase? What is that?
Paintings by Tony Shore, Sondheim 2007 Winner
Drury Bynum and Jamie Campbell
David Page, Alzaruba, & Lauren Schott
Paul & Rene examine Molly Springfield’s drawings up close
Work by Laure Drogoul, 2006 Sondheim Winner
Party!
Line for the Bar
Kini Collins and Jed Dodds
The Two Lynnes
A Mystery Man relaxing with his thoughts…
Laure Drogoul and Jack Livingston
Art Mavens checking out Geoff Grace’s installation
Doreen Bolger and Mike Rabinowitz, no. 1 art fan
Christine & Robert Tillman
The Sparrow and I
Christine and Kriston (most misspelled name in the art press today!)
Special Thanks to Joseph and Rachel for the fabulous after-Sondheim party!
