News stories from around the world:

Sophisticated crime, vulnerable art – why France should be taking burglars seriously http://nyti.ms/bTnYUu

Contemporary sculpture in an English cathedral http://bit.ly/deY7VH

Getting respect for graffiti; the group that wants to legitimize it http://bit.ly/abU3Xj

A sneak peak into conservation; comparing two very similar Gauguins http://bit.ly/aAQS3e

Why 78 amateurs are dancing around one of London’s best-known art galleries http://bit.ly/d5kJMI

Popular stories from the week:

The debate continues unabated – are UK funding cuts an opportunity or a disaster for the arts? http://bit.ly/c0bTgO A debate that seems to have touched a nerve in other countries too!

Getting real: ‘most classical art was product placement’. http://huff.to/9ZPnHM Food for thought?

Volunteers pile up for living inside the Chicago Museum http://bit.ly/dhRhKJ

This one is for the photographers out there: does shooting to a theme help? http://bit.ly/aXOd19

And finally, some great photos from the NYC 1980s subway http://bit.ly/9C4TJZ

Masters of the Imagination remains a firm favorite on Agora’s annual calendar, tapping into an audience who are deeply touched by the dynamic atmosphere created by lively, energetic paintings. Love of life and its variety shines out of these works, spreading this sense of appreciation to all who see them. The audience will be able to feel the vitality of the artists and their view on the world, both that of their inner emotions and the physical structure which surrounds them and through which they move in their daily lives.

This collection of Latin American art holds hints and delicate suggestions of the rich cultural tradition which informs it, from the delightful forms portrayed to the dazzling colors employed by the artists. The influence of the geographic region and its accompanying heritage can be strongly felt, an important element of the works’ charm.

Yet there is also a distinctly contemporary flair to be found in this exhibition, as the talented artists whose work is being shown build on the experience of the past to show their own skills and approaches to spectacular effect.

This provides a great opportunity for viewers to experience the kind of fine art being developed in Latin America today. The best experience will be had by those who come willing to appreciate the works with not only their minds, but their hearts as well. Only then can you truly connect with the enchanting sensations of these remarkable works.

This exhibition coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, the period dedicated to the remembrance and appreciation of the efforts and contributions of Spanish-speaking Americans to our country in diverse fields including literature, music and of course visual arts.

At the same time, a solo exhibition will be showing in Gallery II, our adjacent gallery space: Animassymbolism: The Conscious Paradigm of Fred Mou. The concept of this show centers around the philosophy of Fred Mou, which he explores and expresses in his work. Animassymbolism refers to the artist’s complex use of symbols which he makes a part of his representation of nature, thereby giving form to the mystery and wonder that surrounds us.

Exhibition dates: September 10, 2010 – October 1, 2010
Reception: Thursday, September 16, 2010 6-8 PM
Gallery Location: 530 West 25th St, New York City
Gallery Hours: Tues – Sat, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Masters of the Imagination: Ignacio Alperin Bruvera, Cristina Arnedo, Erich Birchmeier, Carlos Cabán, Marcela Cadena, Humberto Cuan, María Susana Dos Santos, Flor Echevarria, Maria de los Angeles Espinosa, R. Porter Finch, Ivan Hurtado Lorenzo, Ivanrod, Ivanka Kovacevic, Marcela Krause Porter, Claudia Lamas, Ilka Lemos, Hugo Martínez Rapari, Jacqueline Mitri, Mariana Morales, Andre Netto, Patricia Pieschacón, Marcelo Pizzolo, Adelia Sayeg, Wuilfredo Soto

Cave paintings of ‘exceptional’ artistic quality are uncovered in the desert http://bit.ly/d3r2V4

How did the thieves gain access to the stolen Van Gogh? Simple. The alarms were broken http://bbc.in/9mZHCx

The Eli Broad Museum has a location – it’s downtown L.A., and that’s official http://bit.ly/clRvGA

Wrangling over Warhol; the scandal so far http://bit.ly/aBvXSC

A new generation of museum directors steer their charges in new directions http://bit.ly/9hZw7N

Popular stories from the week:

So bad it’s good? The late work of Salvador Dali http://bit.ly/9nO8fd

The magical beauty of marine algae (from space) http://bit.ly/c86FLO

Art, apps and the potential of the digital http://nyti.ms/bdy8Z5

A filmmaker lost an eye. He put a camera in its place http://bit.ly/9vf8Vs

See the sun setting in Queens – time lapsed for your convenience http://bit.ly/a51Lo8

Guest post by Nellie Scott

Mentoring is one of the best gifts you can give to a child. When given a new set of tools, their young minds expand with a flood of inspiration and purpose. It’s as if you poured water onto a piece of paper, and before your eyes, it suddenly grew into the tree it used to be. It’s been said many times, in many different ways, but the youth of today ensure that our world’s tomorrow is bright and colorful. In 2009, I joined the Art-Start volunteer family and since have enjoyed every moment spent with the children. This unique organization works with non-profit shelters and group homes throughout the New York City area, providing workshops for transitional and homeless youth between the ages of 6 and 21.

Currently, I assist with “Music Night,” which might be surprising to some, since my background is primarily in Art. However, as my close friends and family know, I’m wildly passionate about music and am constantly in the process of creating “The Best Mix Ever.” My musical career began by playing the viola in the fourth grade, but a bad case of stage fright soon ended any chance of a rock n’ roll lifestyle.

Most evenings, I’m learning right along with the children and sometimes, they are teaching me.  A few nights ago a young boy and I sat down to learn a song for the evening. As we began, without missing a single note, he eagerly played Lean on Me by Bill Withers. We had worked on the song the week prior, which means he had mastered and retained the ability to play the song perfectly then, without any practice for 7 days.

I’m sure it is no surprise, but studies show that Music and Art participation yield high benefits for a child’s cognitive development. Children who cultivate music or artistic skills show better concentration, coordination and self-confidence. This is especially true of children who live in an at-risk environment. Creative stimuli helps underprivileged children work through complex emotions, while revitalizing a sense of self worth and independence. Art-Start concentrates on building a secure, consistent and intimate atmosphere, where volunteers foster relationships, establishing trust and confidence in the children they serve.

Living in New York can certainly change your perspective of the world; you find yourself wanting things fast and now. Once a week the children of Art-Start teach me that, sometimes, you just have to reevaluate what is really important, take a deep breath and laugh at yourself. That is why I am proud to announce that on August 17th, our 25th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition Exhibition opened its doors to the public. As part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the community that we live and work in, Agora Gallery donates 25% of its proceeds from the sale of artwork from the exhibition to Art-Start.

Do you have any similar experiences? Share them in the comments!

Who owns Michelangelo’s David? City and state battle it out http://bit.ly/c2OCxL

A ‘toy village’ bursting with art; Governors Island is worth a visit http://nyti.ms/9RRUBV

Propaganda posters from North Korea form an art exhibition in Vienna Museum … Controversy abounds http://nyti.ms/dCcgt8

Eli Broad lectures museums: share art with as big an audience as possible http://bit.ly/dfQwDg

Who owns looted art? An enduring question http://bit.ly/bZrdi4

Popular stories from the week:

Marvelous Matisse at MoMA (and why art should be measured like alcohol) http://bit.ly/abovdQ Anyone checked this out yet?

Why ordinary people love culture – so long as they’re appreciated http://bit.ly/bTKbKI

TOP’s best photography ‘How to’ books http://bit.ly/cwdKeL

Impressionists, gardens and horticulture… It’s not what you think http://bit.ly/bKBm80

Britain’s most talked about art sensation is a painting prodigy of … 8 years old http://bit.ly/ag0qlP

Abstraction is the new black – in Manhattan this summer http://nyti.ms/cYeMVO

‘Art and money are inextricably linked’ in Nigeria, where the art market is rising from nothing http://bit.ly/da0rec

Popularism but limited popularity – how the Brooklyn Museum struggles to stay on the map in a city of art giants http://nyti.ms/cUxD3s

Graffiti causes controversy in Rome as protecting ancient buildings clashes with life in a modern city http://bit.ly/bGhIC4 while on the other hand, San Francisco partners with street artists to defeat urban graffiti http://bit.ly/9hvTJE

A breath of fresh art comes to one of China’s previously less cultural cities http://nyti.ms/b0kTxV

Popular stories from the week:

The value of photography workshops http://bit.ly/bYtcGU Anyone had experience of this recently?

Photographic self portraits, an art form that’s 170 years old http://bit.ly/aEnoj1 Anyone ever tried this?

Does great art make you sick? Well, maybe http://bit.ly/cp7efq

The Museum of Bad Art and its awful collection http://n.pr/cFDVyJ No, really. And here are 15 of the worst paintings: http://bit.ly/cZ8EYl

The juror of this year’s competition was Megan Fontanella, who is an Assistant Curator at the famous Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. She is involved with conducting collections research for the Guggenheim, in addition to having curated exhibitions. She has chosen a stunning selection of work from this year’s competition entrants, resulting in what will be a truly memorable exhibition.

The work on display will present some of the very best examples of contemporary art, created by artists who have achieved an impressive degree of skill in their chosen field, and combined it with an innate and exuberant talent, with remarkable results.

A number of different mediums are represented in this exhibition. The competition itself is open to most forms of art, and so it should be no surprise that the work of the selected artists ranges from photography to sculpture, and from painting to digital media. Visitors are therefore able to admire the possibilities inherent in these different genres, and everyone will be sure to find something to which they particularly relate.

In addition, Agora Gallery is continuing its support of the valuable local charity Art Start, which strives to improve the lives of children and young people in need in New York through the medium of art and with the help of volunteer artists. This year, like last year, 25% of the proceeds from the sales of this exhibition will go to Art Start to help it continue in its excellent work.

Exhibition dates: August 17, 2010 – September 7, 2010
Reception: Thursday, August 19, 2010 6-8 PM
Gallery Location: 530 West 25th St, New York City
Gallery Hours: Tues – Sat, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Featured artists:
Alina Alexandrovna, Evi Apostolou, Peter Baldinger, Roberto Bernardo, Denny Bond, Allen Bryan, Cassie Clements, M. Worrell / D. Mott, Gaspare Di Caro, Ferdinando Di Maso, Horacio Dowbley, Julio Stanly Flores, Jose A. Gallego, Edward Hahn, Eily K Jammy, Nick Kozak, Stephanie Kristofic, Jürgen Lechner, Claudia Ficca & Davide Luciano, Michael May, Hally McGehean, Víctor Meliá De Alba, Franco Monari, Losan Piatti, Allie Regan, Ruth Schreiber, Yea Jin Song, Peter Strobos, Alec Von Bargen, Sangeun Yu

The idea of the Armory Show comes to London http://bit.ly/ckeElv

The doubts over the claimed ‘Ansel Adams prints’ http://bit.ly/aozJVB , and the man who might have really taken them http://bit.ly/9aXGRm

New show at MoMA is not a knockout, but does give a new way at looking at art http://nyti.ms/9QzoKP

Calling on UK artists and art-lovers to stand together against cuts http://bit.ly/953NAZ Would this work in the US?

Reading the small print for the Eli Broad museum deal http://bit.ly/9NDGCy

Popular stories from the week:

Breaking up the gallery routine – the artist whose works glow and are hung in the middle of the room http://bit.ly/aaHhdH

Is this art, or merely annoying? The photos of a professional celebrity stalker http://nyti.ms/aHCcTE

The designer behind Twitter’s famous Fail Whale (who doesn’t want it to be called that) http://bit.ly/diy10i

Unlawful mischief in Vermont – fibreglass cow-tipping http://bit.ly/d09ps9

Enormous, ethereal soap bubbles. Enough said. http://bit.ly/b94dAZ

Sign of the times – U.S.-Cuba cultural relations on the rise http://nyti.ms/9ZDzua

The U.S. promises to speed up artist visas – at last http://nyti.ms/a2XCua

The Vatican’s ‘developing relationship’ with modern art takes a step forward with Matisse rooms http://bit.ly/duN2GC

A brave or mad bet of confidence as museum is convinced it can afford the new look and the designer who comes with it http://bit.ly/9eocxQ

Popular stories from the week:

The First Lady and the art she highlights http://bit.ly/9Ebjq3

The unexpected beauty of an MRI (as long as it’s not yours, anyway!) http://bit.ly/dw7mDH

The Iron Curtain project that unites artists from both sides http://bit.ly/dkXevG

Landmark video art taken down from YouTube http://bit.ly/9p3gvo Are they missing the point?

Paul M. Cote has been aware of an affinity for art for much of his life – whenever he visited a new place, the art galleries and museums would be the first places he would hunt for. Yet for some time his priorities lay in other areas, notably sport; he worked in the tennis industry for over 20 years, training both children and adults and developing fulfilling relationships there. Yet there came a time in his life when everything seemed filled with uncertainty, and it was during this period that he felt compelled to stop by an art supplies store, in what was to become the beginning of a whole new passion for him.

Cote’s energy and love of art comes through with distinctive strength and verve in his work. The lively brushstrokes and appealing colors give his work an immediate charm, which is only increased when you realize that each piece is also the result of painstaking skill and attention to finely tuned detail. Cote says that he will often change the cerebral aspect of a single work as many as ten times – a testament to his determination to get everything ‘just right’.

Cote’s oeuvre often focuses on planetary bodies, and the artist says that this has been the case almost from the beginning. The narrative and aesthetic potential of the subject matter attracts him, and is part of what allows him to develop so many levels of meaning within a single work, just as he adds the layers of paint to the canvas.

Yet this continuity of subject matter does not restrict Cote in any way when it comes to technique. Continually developing his talent, the works range from realistic depictions of forms to dazzling abstractions. However he chooses to approach the work, the same delicate yet powerful appeal prevails, drawing the audience in and making them wonder what kind of world they have entered.

This will be the third solo exhibition to be held in Gallery II, a recent addition to Agora Gallery’s premises in the heart of New York City’s art district, Chelsea. The previous two featured the highly acclaimed work of first Ruth Gilmore Langs and later Nathan Sawaya, Lego brick artist, who will be returning to the gallery later in the year with an exhibition beginning on November 23, 2010 and running through until December 14, 2010.

Exhibition dates: August 17, 2010 – September 7, 2010
Reception: Thursday, August 19, 2010 6-8 PM
Gallery Location: 530 West 25th St, New York City
Gallery Hours: Tues – Sat, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.