Calling Artists: Apply for Bloomfield Backyard Membership 2021 | Salon Collection Advantageous arts | Pittsburgh

Photos: Courtesy of the Bloomfield Garden Club

Bloomfield Garden Club 2020 artists (LR) Top row: Scott Andrew, Naomi Chambers, Tara Fay Coleman; Middle row: Betty Douglas with Rex Trimm, Jesse Factor, Clara Kent; Bottom row: Christiane Leach, John Musser, Shana Simmons.

TD Projects – a platform for local artists to collaborate, experiment, learn and network – is now looking for applications for its monthly artist-in-residence salon series, the Bloomfield Garden Club.

Artists who live in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, or one of the surrounding counties and work in visual / performance, sound / music, dance / movement, writing, or theater with a focus on comedy are encouraged to apply. A press release states that preference is given to artists who “identify as female, mother, queer or other than white”.

The BGC runs June through September 2021, with each salon event taking place in a different neighborhood around Pittsburgh. Each artist selected will receive a grant to attend and materials, and will work with curator and BGC co-creator Tina Dillman to produce new work for the salon. The finished works are presented in a monthly salon where each artist is invited to visit and discuss their work. (Please note that people who work in pairs or in a team must share a grant.)

The first BGC was launched in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Dillman, and she wanted to expand it this year. The planning format is changing, with three events taking place within one week per month instead of two events per month on a weekend. She says that not only will the salons host salons in different neighborhoods each time, but they will also be held in outdoor areas such as community gardens.

“Last year I developed a really good working format for the BGC, which I am expanding this year,” says Dillman. “I plan to do it identically by taking the right precautions, keeping outdoor visitor numbers low, social distancing myself, wearing masks, and having lots of antibacterial sprays and wipes. My goals are the same – to protect people while producing a live cultural event that nourishes and rejuvenates the soul and spirit. I consider the BGC to be a safe place where everyone can be comfortable while either experiencing or creating live art. ”

The first BGC featured artists working in a variety of disciplines, including musicians, dancers, visual artists, and more. That year, Dillman wanted to make an open call that focused more on reaching out to local theater and comedy communities to be more representative of the city’s artistic landscape.

“I know there is a comedy scene here in Pittsburgh, and as the number of clubs and venues decreased, I wanted to provide an opportunity for those who think they’re funny,” says Dillman. “Life was way too serious and threatening too, and I’ve felt for the past year that I haven’t laughed as much as I should and it’s so healthy and good for you. Personally, I would like to see more smiles in the world. ”

Also new to BGC is Rachel Rampleman, the series’ first guest artist. The multimedia artist, who lives in New York, will document the drag scene in Pittsburgh with a video portrait as an extension of her current project “Life is Drag”. Filmed in spaces like Blue Moon, a Lawrenceville LGBTQ bar, and a drag performance room, the videos will premiere during BGC in June with live performances by queens from Rampleman’s collection.

Regarding potential venues, Dilman says she has a location in Highland Park and is in discussion with other locations in Wilkinsburg, Braddock, and Garfield.

“I’m open to talking to other organizations, community gardens, or outdoor parks in places I didn’t mention, as I plan for BGC to be in a different neighborhood each month,” says Dillman, a New York local who adds, that she is “still relatively new” to town. “There is so much to learn about this place. I’ve lived here for two years now, but one of those years was mostly spent in quarantine which makes it difficult to meet new people and see new rooms. ”

Interested artists should email Dillman at tinadillmanprojects@gmail.com with links to their work.