Academy 2008 @ Conner Contemporary

Geoffrey Aldridge is one of the artists featured in Conner Contemporary's ACADEMY 2008, their annual survey of recent MFA and BFA graduates in the Mid-Atlantic region.

ACADEMY 2008: July 11 – 26, 2008
Conner Contemporary Art is very pleased to announce ACADEMY 2008, the eighth year of our annual invitational
survey dedicated to outstanding work by recent fine art graduates of regional college art programs.
The following artists were invited to exhibit: Geoffrey Aldridge, Jamie Andrew, Andrew Buckland, Robert Campoy,
Andrea Chung, Sarada Conaway, Cheraya Esters, Nathaniel Fink, Ryan Foti, Kenny George, Sara Hubbs, Stephanie
Kozemchak, Michelle McAuliffe, Wayde McIntosh, Carmen McLeod, Meg Mitchell, Diane Ramos, James Swainbank,
Kristoffer Tripplaar, Virginia Warwick and Aleksander Zhikulin. They are graduates of American University, Corcoran
College of + Design, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Maryland Institute College of Art,
University of Maryland and Virginia Commonwealth University.
The curators are ACADEMY exhibition founder and chief gallery Curator, Jamie Smith, gallery Director Leigh Conner
and Assistant Director Kristi Mathews. As in previous years, the curators attended BFA/MFA exhibitions between
December and June, viewing works in person to formulate a profile of area art programs. After consulting with artists,
they selected a group of works created in various media, including painting, video, sculpture, and photography, which
demonstrate individual achievement and represent vital currents in the fine art curricula of our region.

Because we are finishing our new gallery space renovation, ACADEMY 2008 will be held nearby at 1341 H Street, NE
(near the Atlas Theatre / Arts District). We appreciate the support of Taurus Development, who generously donated
the ground floor space at their new corporate headquarters.
> ACADEMY 2008 opens Friday, July 11th with a reception for the artists from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
> Exhibition hours are Thursday – Saturday 12-5pm.
> Taurus Development is located at 1341 H Street, NE – Washington, DC, 20002
Concurrent with ACADEMY 2008, SOVA Espresso and Wine bar (1359 H St, NE) is hosting an exhibition of paintings
by first year MFA students from the George Washington University, curated by Diane Ramos. The opening reception is
also Friday, July 11, 6 - 8 pm.
An online catalogue of artists/ works in ACADEMY 2008 will be available online through August at
http://www.connercontemporary.com/current/.
For further information and visuals contact Leigh Conner or Kristi Matthews at 202-588-8750 or
info@connercontemporary.com.