JR Harke Photography, Inc., is sponsoring the annual MOCA DC Erotic Arts Show to be held March 5 through April 3 at 1054 31st St., NW, Washington, D.C. Also the company is sponsoring the annual Seattle Erotic Arts Festival at the Seattle Exhibition Center by the famed Space Needle beginning April 30 and running through May 2.
“I think both of these events are wonderful opportunities for artists to express themselves in ways that too often they cannot do in other shows,” Jerry Harke, owner of JR Harke Photography, Inc., said. “It is unfortunate that in so many places and over thousands of years, art of an erotic nature has been, and continues to be, suppressed around the world. I am encouraged, however, to know that we have pioneers in this country who are working to change that.”
Harke, whose work includes all types of fine art and who serves clients throughout the Washington, D.C. region, is a frequent exhibitor of his art at MOCA DC. This year, as a corporate sponsor of that group’s event, Harke is bringing in a special talent recognized nationwide to kick off the opening reception show. Kitty Victorian, based in Chicago, will open the evening at 7:30 p.m. at MOCA DC (www.mocadc.org) on March 5 with a short performance and then will emcee an amateur burlesque contest. Ladies from throughout the region are encouraged to participate. Prize money for the winners is $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place.
“I want to thank Dave Quammen, executive director of MOCA DC for being the leader who has made possible the showing of erotic art to the public here. The 2010 show at MOCA DC promises to be one of the biggest opening nights yet,” Harke said. “Last year there were approximately 300 people in attendance and even more are expected this year. It is important to note that the doors open at 6 p.m. and the public is welcome to come in and see all of the art that’s on display. Admission to the gallery and the burlesque show is free. However, being a burlesque show, attendance is reserved to an adult audience.”
Harke is a frequent traveler and photographs models around the world. Not only has he frequented the Seattle area to take photographs of local talent, but he also was a one-time resident there. “Seattle holds a special place in my heart and I am a great admirer of people like photographer Jim Duvall who first came up with the idea for the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival (www.seattleerotic.org).”
Jim Duvall, Allena Gabosch, executive director of the Center and Foundation for a Sex Positive Culture and Anna Hurwitz, festival director, organized a committee in the late 1990s to explore the idea of an erotic arts festival. The first one was held in 2002 and, since then, the event has grown into an internationally recognized festival with thousands in attendance. “It is my hope that the Washington, D.C. region might someday hold an erotic arts festival with participation from numerous galleries and various interest groups as well as attendance from around the world. I think with Dave Quammen leading the way at MOCA DC, we have a good chance of getting there,” Harke added.
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