Annual Report for 2019

THE TOUCHSTONE FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS (TFA) IS A NONPROFIT TAX-EXEMPT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION CREATED BY THE ARTISTS OF TOUCHSTONE GALLERY IN WASHINGTON, DC. THE MISSION OF TFA IS TO EXPAND THE REACH OF TOUCHSTONE GALLERY AND ITS ARTISTS INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

TFA’s flagship project is the Touchstone Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Artists. The fellowship is open to Washington area artists who have not been professionally represented.  It is designed to help these artists develop and grow through a two-year full membership in the Touchstone Gallery.  The fellowship includes the opportunity to exhibit in monthly gallery member shows, representation on the gallery website and related marketing materials, and mentoring by established artists.  The fellowship culminates with a month-long solo show.

Jenny Wu, an artist using mixed media, awarded a TFA Fellowship in 2018 has had an active second fellowship year.  Among her accomplishments are a solo exhibition at Barry Gallery, Arlington, VA, over nine group exhibitions, awards, invited talks and three curatorial projects.

In 2019 two new TFA Fellowships have been awarded. 

Steve Wanna, is a multi-disciplinary sound and visual artist whose work includes music, sound design for dance collaborations, sculpture, installation, photography, and works for mixed media.  During his first fellowship year Steve has had two solo shows, a shared show, and several juried and invited shows.  In addition, he has created a multimedia installation, and performed at music venues in New York City and Boston.

Michael Cabezas, a multi-disciplinary artist who works primarily with drawing, video, and sculpture, has participated in Touchstone Gallery activities including the monthly group shows. His work often overlaps pop-culture with playful cynicism to form a dialogue about the antics and absurdity of a class.

As part an effort to reach out to the community, TFA sponsored two exhibits at Touchstone Gallery.  In July, TFA in conjunction with the New Community ArtSpace sponsored “Common Threads”, an exhibit of fiber art created by people of the DC Shaw community.  In February, TFA sponsored “Exposed DC Photography”.  “Exposed DC” connects photographers of all levels with networking, mentoring, and exhibition opportunities. 

TFA has been supported through generous contributions from members of Touchstone Gallery and the public. TFA was also remembered in the will of Steve Alderton, a longtime member of Touchstone Gallery, who passed away on August 20, 2019.  A memorial service was held at Touchstone Gallery in November.

Board of Directors

Anita Miller, Developmental Psychologist, President

Susi Cora, Visual Artist, Treasurer

Rachel Dickerson, Director, ArtSpaceDC at the New Community Church

Gabrielle Tillenburg, Filmmaker/Artist, Visual Arts Coordinator at Strathmore, and Freelance Photographer

Andrew Johnson, Curator and Arts Writer

Michael Lang, Liaison to Touchstone Gallery