Collector’s View 2015

The 8th Year of Transformer’s Annual Series sharing the private collections of DC’s prominent contemporary art collectors

April 9 – June 14, 2015

Collector's View shares the private collections of a select and diverse group of DC's contemporary art collectors. Now in its 8th year, this annual spring series of special receptions provides participants an insider's perspective on the motivations, interests and passions of dynamic collectors on the work they collect. Light fare and libations will be served at each View.

Participation in the 2015 Collector’s View Series is $50 dollars per person for each “view”. Full Series Supporters will receive complimentary attendance to this year’s Artist View. All donations via the Collector's View series are fully tax-deductible, and will directly benefit Transformer's 2015 / 2016 Exhibition Series. For further details on Transformer's Spring 2015 Collector's View series, contact gina@transformerdc.org or call 202.483.1102. Online registration is also available at TransformerCV2015.eventbrite.com.

VIEW 1: Marília Bulhões View
Brazilian Mission to the OAS Residence
(Kalorama)

Thursday, April 9, 6-8pm

Mr. Breno Dias da Costa, Interim Representative of Brazil to the Organization of American States, and his wife Mrs. Marília Bulhões, welcome Collector’s View guests to their official Residence to view Marília Bulhões artwork. Marília Bulhões was born in Natal, Brazil. She developed her technique of abstract painting amid the rich universe of Northeast Brazil and has continued to cultivate her craft while living in various countries over the last 15 years. While abroad, Bulhões took opportunities to further hone her artistic education, studying at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. and at The Art Students League of New York (2003 - 2006). Her works have been included in solo and group exhibitions in many countries.

VIEW 2: Sid Stolz & David Hatfield
(Logan Circle)

Friday, May 15, 6-8pm

Collector’s View guests are invited to view the Stolz-Hatfield Collection in their Logan Circle loft. Works by Sol Lewitt, Adam Fuss, James Nares, Richard Serra, Robert Silvers, Frank Stella, and Andres Serrano, plus a commissioned Graham Caldwell make this collection unique for condo living and art enjoying.

VIEW 3: Brenda & Steffen Jacobsen
(Capitol Hill)

Sunday, May 17, 4-6pm

Brenda and Steffen Jacobsen have been collecting art for the past 14 years as a way to memorialize their experiences and travels, and the relationships they’ve built with artists and gallerists. They welcome Collector’s View guests to view their often colorful, sometimes crafty, sometimes outsider collection by emerging artists, many of whom are local Washingtonians.

VIEW 4: Setsuko Ono
(Forest Hills)

Sunday, May 31, 4-6pm

Collectors View  attendees are invited to the home and Studio Isis of Setsuko Ono. Ms. Ono has exhibited her artwork nationally and internationally. On view will be past and present work as well as in-progress drawings, paintings and sculptures. Participants will also be invited to walk around the sculpture garden surrounding her home and studio. In 2009 at the Tenth Havana Biennale, Ms. Ono exhibited the following artwork: three scrolls, 30 feet wide and 6 feet tall, and four paintings, 3 feet wide and 6 feet tall. Of her work in sculpture, six large steel public sculptures were permanently installed in Havana, Cuba (2003), six in downtown Baltimore, MD (2006), one in downtown Tokyo, Japan (2011) and another in Hara Arc Contemporary Museum in Gunma, Japan (2012). "My sculptures and paintings, even when more abstract than figurative, are narratives: they tell a story." - Setsuko Ono.

VIEW 5: Juanita & Melvin Hardy
(Silver Spring, MD)

Sunday, June 7, 4-6pm 

Juanita and Melvin Hardy have been collecting art since 1985 and share a passion for collecting, albeit for very different reasons: Juanita for the sheer joy of owning an artwork for its aesthetic qualities;  Mel for the historical context of that  artwork within the canon of modern and contemporary art. Their collection, reflective of their heritage as African Americans, includes works on paper, canvas, and sculpture, by celebrated 20th Century painters and printmakers such as David Driskell, Sam Gilliam, Al Loving, Camille Billops, Michael Platt, EJ Montgomery, and Samela Lewis. Their interest in advancing cultural literacy more broadly, led them to also collect African art and art works from their travels to countries in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.  The result is an eclectic array of artworks that tastefully populate their cozy town home.  

ARTIST VIEW (Bonus for Full Series Supporters): Amy & Alex Braden

Sunday, June 14, 4-6pm

The Bradens have recently established their home in the Brookland neighborhood of DC. Their basement houses Amy's painting studio and flat file, while Alex's sound art can be heard both inside and outside their home. In addition to sound art, Alex makes music as a member of Young Rapids, and The El Mansouris, who played their debut show at Transformer in February. Alex and Amy are two of four founding members of zerozero collective, which focuses on public art – they are currently developing an installation for The Dupont Underground. Amy is a Corcoran graduate, as well as a member of Project Dispatch and of the Transformer FlatFile program. The Bradens also collaborate on projects together, working to combine sound, painting, and sculpture. The Bradens' home reflects their process–oriented aesthetic, as they are renovating it themselves while producing work, touring, teaching art, and installing exhibitions.

Many thanks to our 2015 Collector's View Hosts and Sponsors: Evers & Co. Real Estate, Huntington T. Block, Pure, and Capitol File.