WASHINGTON, DC.- Conner Contemporary Art announced Academy 2007, the seventh year of our annual invitational survey dedicated to outstanding work by recent fine art graduates of Washington / Baltimore area college art programs.

The following artists were invited to exhibit: Paul Chapman (George Washington University), Graham Childs (American University), Russell Kelbaugh (Corcoran College of Art + Design), Magnolia Laurie (Maryland Institute College of Art), Jodi Lieburn (Maryland Institute College of Art), Isaac Maiselman (Corcoran College of Art + Design), Tiffany Miel Carek (Maryland Institute College of Art), Christina Most (Maryland Institute College of Art), Natalia Panfile (Maryland Institute College of Art), Sandra Parra (Maryland Institute College of Art), Deborah Rock (Catholic University), Nathaniel Rogers (Maryland Institute College of Art), Brian Sykes (University of Maryland), Jessica Van Brakle (Corcoran College of Art + Design), and Olivia Wolfe (Georgetown University).

The curators for this year's exhibition are Academy exhibition founder, Jamie Smith and former gallery director, Karyn Miller. As in previous years, the curators attended BFA/MFA exhibitions between January and June, viewing works in person to formulate a profile of area art programs. After consulting with artists, Smith and Miller 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.

The exhibition opens Friday, July 6th with a reception for the artists from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Conner Contemporary Art is located at 1730 Connecticut Avenue, NW-2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20009.