America's Next Top "Artist"? or Project Art?

You may or may not actually admit to it, but we all indulge in a little Bravo TV from time to time. Whether it's fashion (Project Runway), teen bop drama (Prep NYC), or even adult drama (hello Real Housewives of NYC!), Bravo brings the heat to the small screen in both reality tv and competitions. I've seen weight loss, cooking, and even dating competitions on tv, but never in my life have I seen an art-themed reality show.

Well my thanks and kudos go to Sarah Jessica Parker and her production company, Pretty Matches to co-produce an hour long creative competition series among contemporary artists. The woman, more known as Carrie Bradshaw, is on a roll here. (Two SATC movies, perfume, and new twins mind you) The show will be called The Untitled Art Project and will bring together thirteen aspiring artists to compete for a gallery show, a cash prize and a sponsored national tour. I couldn't think of a better winning prize for an up and coming artist.

So what are these guys going to be partaking in on the show, other than hanging with SJP ( I really hope she takes a Heidi Klum role as in Project Runway). In each episode of the series, contestants will create unique pieces highlighting art’s role in everyday life, while they compete and create in a range of disciplines including sculpture, painting, photography and industrial design (to name a few). In working beyond their preferred mediums, artists will have to adapt quickly in order to succeed. Completed works of art will be appraised by a panel of top art world figures including fellow artists, gallerists, collectors, curators and critics. The finalists’ work will be showcased in a nation-wide museum tour. (Call us, please)

I'm all for the show. Anything that brings art awareness to a mass market is good press for anyone in the art world, be it a museum, gallery, art department, and artists themselves. I'm sure there will be plenty of drama (Who stole my paint brush!), but I'm interested to see what the challenges will be.

If you're an artist, or just want to be one, take a Greyhound or Amtrak up to NY this morning for the open casting call nearest to the 302. Here are the other dates in case you're over on the West Coast.

LOS ANGELES Saturday, July 11 & Sunday, July 12, 10 AM – 2 PM http://www.laxart.org/

MIAMI Tuesday, July 14, 10 AM – 2 PM Fredric Snitzer Gallery http://www.snitzer.com/

CHICAGO Thursday, July 16, 10 AM – 2 PM School of the Art Institute of Chicago Sullivan Galleries, 33 State Street http://www.saic.edu/

NEW YORK Saturday, July 18 & Sunday, July 19, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM White Columns http://www.whitecolumns.org/

I won't be "trying out" for the show anytime soon, but I'll enjoy our own winners at the Biggs. The ninth Award Winners show opens up tomorrow at the First Look pARTy starting at 4:00 PM. Free to all, be there, or "you're fired!" (Had to throw in the Apprentice line)