'A Life in the Arts' Interview with Acclaimed Artist, Portia Munson

Earlier this week, we had a chance to chat with Portia about her work and her career. 

The image above was part of an installation Portia had at Olana last summer. 

Here’s the video, which is also on our YouTube Channel: 

Thank you, Portia, for sharing part of her story with us!

Upcoming Shows for Portia Munson:

Portia has a number of solo shows scheduled for the summer. 

> Memento Mori is the name of the show at the Pamela Salisbury Gallery in Hudson, NY which will run from June 11 to July 24; See: https://pamelasalisburygallery.com 

> ‘Portia Munson: Flood’ will be included in a solo show at Art Omi in Ghent, NY this summer from June 25 through September 25;  See: https://www.artomi.org

> ‘Portia Munson: Bound Angel’ is a solo show at PPOW Gallery in New York City that will run from July 7 to August 19; See: www.ppowgallery.com 

>  Her work will also be presented in a group show entitle ‘Women’s Work’ at Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, NY that will run from May 26 through September 26; See: www.lyndhurst.org 

> Portia's work will also be featured in 'A Sense of Place: Artists from the Woodstock Masters Series' which will run from August 13 through September 5 at the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild; See: https://www.woodstockguild.org/exhibitions/2022-exhibitions/ 

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. 

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'A Life in the Arts' with Actor and MCC Artistic Director, Robert Lupone

Last week we had the pleasure and honor of interviewing Robert Lupone - a multi-hyphenate talent as an actor and one of the founders and current artistic director of the MCC Theater. 

From Julliard to A Chorus Line, the New School to the MCC Theater - his influence on theater arts in America is far-ranging and deep. You’ll learn more about it all in his interview here: 

We’re grateful to Robert for sharing part of his story with us!

More about the MCC Theater 

Founded in 1986 as MANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY, MCC began as a collective of young actors, writers, and directors determined to steer their own artistic development and redefine the NY theater scene with the kind of stories they wanted to see on the stage.  

Today MCC produce seasons of BOLD new plays and musicals by exceptional PLAYWRIGHTS daring to explore. For Moore about their programs and shows, see: wwwmcctheater.org

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. 

Announcing our 2022-2023 Community Grants Application

 Call for entries -- 2022 Masterwork Arts Community Grant Opportunities

June 18 Update: Thank you to all who submitted an application. We recevied a tremendous response in terms of both volume and quality. Awardees will be announced by the end of the month.  

May 2022

 

5 Community Arts Grants Available!

Apply to masterworkarts@gmail.com by midnight Friday, June 17 to be considered for the 2022-2022 grant season.

Each year, The Masterwork Music and Arts Foundation issues a number of community grants to organizations or individuals striving for excellence in the arts. This year, our Board has refined the criteria and expanded our offerings. For the 2022-2023 community grant season, we’ll be giving out five grants. Two grants will be given at the $1,000 level, with one going to a Theater Arts program. Three additional grants will be issued at the $500 level. The call is for individual aspiring artists and arts organizations located in the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut are encouraged to apply. 

 

Here are more specifics on our grant criteria: 

 

• We’re looking for the best proposals for arts projects that encompasses fine and performing arts - including music, dance, the visual arts, and nonprofit theatrical productions that engage the community. 
• Volunteer involvement is an important factor. Please explain how volunteers will be engaged for your submission.
• Individual aspiring artists and arts organizations in New Jersey and New York are encouraged to apply.
• Works that illustrate a commitment to excellence in the arts -- either through theme or by design will receive greater consideration.
• Note that this award is not intended to cover operating expenses or support for a fundraising initiative.
• 2021 Community Grant Awardees should not apply. 
• Applicants will need to email masterworkarts@gmail.com for an official form and then submit the completed form to masterworkarts@gmail.com by midnight  Friday, June 17, 2022. 
• Applicants should identify how The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation will be recognized in relation to the work. 
• Awardees agree to be featured in Masterwork Arts promotional materials and promote Masterwork Arts offerings.

 

Awardees will be notified the week of June 26, 2022. 

 

How to apply:

Email masterworkarts@gmail.com for your application. Fill it out and email it back to masterworkarts@gmail.com  before midnight Friday, June 17. 

 

For questions about the above contact masterworkarts@gmail.com

 

   The Masterwork Music and Arts Foundation

   Supporting Excellence in the Arts

   www.masterworkarts.org  

   718-964-8841

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'A Life in the Arts' Spring Series

May 2022

The excitement of Spring is doubled for us even our roster of ‘A Life in the Arts’ subjects! 

Our Spring series offers a wide range of remarkable guests. Here’s the schedule: 

• Monday, May 9 at 8pm – Robert Lupone, Actor and Artistic Director of the MCC Theater

• Monday, May 16 at 8pm – Peggy Gould, Dancer, Choreographer and dance faculty member at Sarah Lawrence College

• Monday, May 23 at 8pm – Portia Munson, World-class visual artist

• Monday, May 30 at 8pm – Denise Hurlin, Dancer, Founder of Dancers Responding to AIDS

• Monday, June 6 at 8pm - Kristen Lessard, Park Ranger at Weir Farm National Park

• Monday, June 13 at 8pm – Marcus Zillox, Esteemed visual artist

About ‘A Life in the Arts’ 

 'A Life in the Arts' is a Zoom series celebrating those who have committed their lives to excellence in the arts. Our hope is that this series also illuminates how to navigate a career in the arts to up and coming artists. Interviews are conducted by Masterwork Board member Joseph White and run a half hour, with fifteen minutes dedicated to a q and a with attendees. Join us - or watch our sessions on the Masterwork Youtube Channel!  

About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all. 

To find out more, sign up for our enewsletter on www.masterworkarts.org.