Culture Surfing

Alice Walker, Pearl Cleage, and the Indigo Girls will perform on November 6 at the Hillside International Truth Center

Tonight marks the beginning of two events that will take over Atlanta’s literary scene for the rest of the week. The Atlanta Queer Lit Fest and a celebration of Charis Books’ 35th Anniversary will get started tonight with a shared event at the feminist, Little Five Points bookstore. AQLF is sponsoring a huge spread of events including readings from Staceyann Chin and Manil Suri as well as a full day of workshops at the Decatur Library. The anniversary events for Charis have snagged some big names, including Gloria Steinem and Alice Walker.

Full schedule and details after the jump.

Continue reading “Atlanta Queer Lit Fest and Charis Books 35th kick off tonight” »

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Untitled, Sovereign Tree (kingfisher branch) by Todd Murphy

The Atlanta art scene serves up some seasonal spooky shows as well as some great opportunities to meet local artists this weekend. Read on for the rundown.

Continue reading “Weekend Arts Agenda: Which craft?” »

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Centi-pumpkin? Jack-o-pede?

So far 13 Days of Halloween has beheld scary things (movie trailers, short stories, TV shows, songs, etc.) from a safe distance. Some of the spookiest, most creative visions of the year, however, might be on view right down the street from you at this very moment. The past couple of decades have seen Halloween lawn displays evolve from modest Jack-o-Lanterns to sprawling, grisly spectacles worthy of professional haunted houses like Netherworld. Down the street from my mother-in-law’s home in Chamblee, for instance, you can see a giant-sized spider surrounded by fake human bones (at least, I hope they’re fake) in an otherwise nondescript neighborhood.

Given that you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting morbid yard art this time of year, What’s the best local Halloween display you know? Email photos of the scariest or most imaginative outdoor decorations at Joeff.Davis@cln.com — if you dare! — and we’ll make an on-line slideshow of them worthy of “Night Gallery.” It’s your chance to can take your monstrous front-lawn tableau viral and scare exponentially more people.

Continue reading “13 Days of Halloween: The scariest yard display?” »

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"Autobiography: Egypt (Cairo Resdential) 1974," by Howardena Pindell. Join the artist for a talk Sat., Oct. 24.

Here’s the weekly rundown of the fiercest arts events happening around town this weekend.

TONIGHT (Friday)

Tweet Design presents their Second Annual “Day of the Dead” art show at Eyedrum. The show features over 80 mini-coffins decorated by artists from all over the country. See this cool tribute to the departed and join them from 8pm-12 am for their opening night fiesta. Get ready for some mean sangria, tasty taquitos and tunes from Uncle Daddy and the Kissin’ Cousins. Free. 8 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org.

SATURDAY

Howardena Pindell stops by the Sandler Hudson Gallery to discuss her latest exhibition, “Autobiography: Strips, dots, and video drawings”. The show includes work from Pindell’s 25-year career.  Most known for her use of varied techniques and mixed-media works, her work also explores a multitude of socio-political issues such as racism and feminism. Free. 2 p.m. Sandler Hudson Gallery. 404-817-3777. www.sandlerhudson.com.

Ever wonder how your favorite old-school Saturday morning cartoons came to life?  Through ASIFA-Atlanta’s “Animation Draw” you can get a little insight. This workshop presented by WonderRoot Community Arts Center explores the core principles of traditional hand-drawn animation. By the end of this five hour workshop you’ll have learned how cartoons are made and have  several short animations of your own to brag about. Free. 2 p.m. WonderRoot Community Arts Center. 404-254-5955. www.wornderroot.org.

For the first time ever Brotherman Comics is showcasing their unique brand of comic book art in exhibition format.  “Drawing from the Soul: The Official Brotherman Comics Art Experience” opens Saturday night and gives fans an inside look into the Brotherman World.  See how the creators go from concept to development to finished product and craft an original philosophy and an edgy visual experience along the way. Free. 7 p.m. Studio Clout. 404-688-2787. www.studioclout.com.

SUNDAY

The Marcus JCC of Atlanta invites you to “Lunch and Learn with Lorraine Peltz.” The latest exhibition of the Artist’s work–”Excellent Hostess: Paintings and Works on Paper”– is an homage to her mother’s survival of the Holocaust.  The series of paintings contrasts the exterior world with an interior space of comfort and memory. Go for the talk. Stay for the lunch. Free. 11:30 a.m. Dunwoody, The Marcus JCC of Atlanta. 678-812-4000. www.atlantajcc.org.

The Contemporary developed a day of sculpture and photography activities for the family inspired by Corin Hewitt’s “Seed Stage”.  “Seed Stage”–presented at the Whitney in NYC–investigated the processes of harvesting, consuming, building, documenting, and recycling.  For months the artist worked in an exhibition space/science lab/kitchen/art studio as an audience watched.  After an educational day of family fun make sure you check out Hewitt’s photographs of his experimental New York exhibition. Free. 1-4 p.m. The Contemporary. 404-688-1970. www.thecontemporary.org.

The High Museum teams up with Mattress Factory Studios for a Membership Drive Kick-off Party. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet emerging and established artists, tour their studios, and learn more about the High’s Art Partners program.Original works will be raffled off throughout the evening . Take a look at some of the featured artists works beforehand on the Mattress Factory Studios website. Free (reservations necessary RSVP @ high.org/mattressfactory). 4 p.m. Grant Park. www.high.org. 404-733-4444.

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"New Endings" in its original location at Walton Springs Park

Diane Kempler’s “New Endings,” the Seuss-ish multi-part fountain commissioned by the Corporation for Olympic Development in Atlanta before the ’96 games has its housewarming in Freedom Park today. Formerly located in Walton Springs Park at International Boulevard and Carnegie Way, the public art piece has been moved to Freedom Park at Euclid and North avenues. According to the Freedom Park Conservancy’s website, the shift is taking place to accommodate a a new sculpture honoring Andrew Young in “New Endings’” original spot.

While the fountain was a nod to the site of Atlanta’s first public water supply, “this new location gives a fresh start and access to a new and different audience,” said Kempler in a press release. Kempler discusses the sculpture and the move in a free lecture Sun., Nov. 1 at Emory. Kempler’s part of Emory’s visual arts faculty and a founder of the Atlanta Women’s Art Collective.

Maybe she can also talk about why it seems to be so hard for the city of Atlanta to support a regular rotation of progressive, innovative public art installations…

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Dad's Garage new artistic director Kevin Gillese

Dad’s Garage announced last February that then artistic director Kate Warner would be leaving the neighborhood theater staple in April 2009 to become artistic director of Boston’s New Repertory Theatre. In June, Curt Holman’s CL cover story on the playhouse’s changing lineup asked, “Can Dad’s Garage bridge the generation gap in its second decade?” The answer to that question may not be far off. Dad’s Garage announced today that its search for artistic director has come to an end: Kevin Gillese, current artistic director of sister theater Rapid Fire Theatre in Edmonton, AL, Canada, has been tapped to fill the vacancy.

From the press release:

[Kevin's] background includes improvisation, theatre and video work and his core strengths include ensemble growth and development, collaborative creation and the production of new and original work across multiple disciplines. “In addition to Kevin’s talent and intellect, he’s a whole lot of fun to be around,” said Managing Director, Lena Carstens. “In a time when we are presenting all new and original work, we’ll benefit from having fresh perspective from someone who’s already in the Dad’s family…even if he has been a distant cousin north of the border.”

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Oakland Cemetery before the tornado …

When a tornado ripped through downtown Atlanta and the city’s eastern neighborhoods last March, homes, businesses and local landmarks buckled under its fierce wallop. Oakland Cemetery sat directly in the storm’s path of destruction: Tress were uprooted, headstones overturned and pathways destroyed. Local artist/gardener Cooper Sanchez got in on the recovery effort at the historic site, and has spent the last year helping clean up and restore the cemetery grounds. He’s also spent the last year finding inspiration in the landmark’s history, architecture and foliage for a new body of work.

Tonight, Oct. 9, from 7-11 p.m., Sanchez mounts Oakland: In the Greenhouse Ruins, a one-night-only

… and after.

planting and painting installation situated in and around the cemetery’s greenhouse ruins (the first public one of its kind in Atlanta). The paintings reflect on and celebrate the cemetery’s Victorian history and perseverance over its more than 150-year life. In addition to the greenhouse, Potter’s Field, the nearly six acres of 7,500 anonymous, unmarked burials, will also benefit from Sanchez’s work. “I plan on donating a percentage of any profits from this show to plantings in this area of the cemetery which has so many unmarked graves that are gone but not forgotten.  I’d like to honor the memory of those buried with flowers and gardens as the cemetery with it’s functioning greenhouse was historically designed to do,” he said in a press release.

Live music accompanies the installation. Parking’s available across the street behind/next to Ria’s Bluebird and Six Feet Under. Check out BurnAway.org, too, for Karen Tauches’ feature on the event.

(Photos by Joeff Davis)

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In recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of Atlanta’s children, filmmaker Libby Spears has dedicated her latest documentary Playground to the memory of the late Fulton County Judge, Sanford “Sammy” Jones. The film premieres as part of a memorial benefit hosted by the Juvenile Justice Fund honoring Jones on Tuesday, October 20th at the Woodruff Arts Center. The event benefits the Center to End Adolescent Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) and Angela’s House, an organization that provides home care services to households with medically fragile children. Jones, who served as Fulton County Juvenile Court judge was killed in small plane crash in Alabama earlier this year.

Playground sheds light on child sex trafficking taking place in the United States. The film profiles former victims and provides a candid look at the legal and social systems that fails to adequately respond to the crisis. Playground was produced by actor/director George Clooney, writer/actor Grant Heslov and director Steven Soderbergh, the team behind the Oscar-nominated film Good Night and Good Luck.

Judge Jones helped to create the Juvenile Justice Fund in Atlanta in 2001. The fund provides constructive alternatives to youth detention and programs to reduce the number of children returning to unsafe, abusive and destructive homes.

Memorial Benefit for Judge Sanford Jones. Tuesday, October 20, 2009 – 6:00pm. Woodruff Arts Center Symphony Hall. 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309. General admission $25, premiere and VIP pre-reception $125. Tickets can be purchased online at www.woodruffcentertickets.org or by phone, 404-733-5000.

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Check out the latest Creative Loafing video from this year’s American Indian Festival last weekend at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds.

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Local arts nonprofit Eyedrum continues to face a dire financial situation. After an announcement last July explaining that the arts org could be forced to close its doors, Eyedrum rallied and held an art auction to raise some much-needed cash. The auction grossed roughly $15,000, but much of that was quickly swallowed up by past-due rent and other debts.

Eyedrum’s biggest challenge may be it’s high rent costs. As CL’s Wyatt Williams reported last month, “The group readily admits it can’t afford the cost of rent for its massive converted industrial space in Grant Park. There’s been some talk about moving, but the Board of Directors is divided on the issue. Regardless of some of the board’s desire to change locations, its lease on the Grant Park property runs through December of 2010. Negotiations with the landlord, Braden Fellman, have deteriorated. ‘They’re a landlord, they want their money. They don’t say anything, really, though. They don’t return phone calls, e-mails.’”

Enter the 24-hour Dance-a-Thon — Eyedrum fundraising Part Deux this Sat.-Sun., Sept. 26-27. The event’s organized by the Harold Group and Atlanta’s independent arts community, according to a press release, and involves dancing, an art sale, and a bicycle scavenger hunt. Complete details follow after the jump.

Continue reading “Eyedrum fundraising Part Deux” »

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"Untitled" by John Mercer Moore

SkaterAid was initiated after the 2005 death of 15-year-old Ian Wochatz from brain cancer. Since the inaugural event in 2006, the benefit has raised more than $44,000 for families dealing with pediatric cancer. (Previous years’ funds have been donated to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the RET Foundation, and the Brain Tumor Foundation For Children, Inc.)

SkaterAid ’09 hits East Decatur Station (109 New St.) Sun., Sept. 27 from 3-8 p.m. and centers around a silent auction of skateboard art. The original decks have been on view at the Brick Store Pub since August, and will remain up until Sunday’s auction. The event also includes live music from Governor General (Decatur High), PhoneyBones (Decatur High), and Highway (Lakeside High), grilled goodies, brews, a photobooth and daylong skating. Artist R. Land designed this year’s merch. Event costs $5 for students, $10 for adults. Admission includes access to skating, but you have to register and get a wristband. Safety first!

(Photo courtesy SkaterAid’s Facebook)

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The nonprofit Metropolitan Public Art Coalition (MPAC), whose board members include Cathy Byrd, Gregor Turk, and Lisa Tuttle among others, is trying to rally support for the funding of public art along the Beltline through an online petition. The petition references the city of Atlanta’s Public Art Ordinance (ref.: 08-O-1884), “which requires that the Atlanta Beltline, Inc. set aside the required 1.5% of the total amount of each bond issuance for public art.” Basically, MPAC wants to ensure that a portion of the funds generated by the Beltline’s bonds would be secured for public art projects along the 22-mile loop.

Check out the full petition here, and bring your questions, comments and concerns to the Oct. 12 mayoral candidate’s Forum on the Arts at the Woodruff Arts Center’s Rich Auditorium (the event is sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Arts & Culture Coaltion and the MPAC).

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On many levels, the Eyedrum fundraising auction held Aug. 14 was a success. “We raised something in the ballpark of $15,000,” says Robert Cheatham, Eyedrum’s executive director. Despite that success, however, the nonprofit arts organization still faces an uncertain financial future. Paying off debts and accumulated rent took more than $6,000 directly out of that figure, Cheatham says, “You can see how quickly that number starts to shrink.”

The group readily admits it can’t afford the cost of rent for its massive converted industrial space in Grant Park. There’s been some talk about moving, but the Board of Directors is divided on the issue. Regardless of some of the board’s desire to change locations, its lease on the Grant Park property runs through December of 2010. Negotiations with the landlord, Braden Fellman, have deteriorated. “They’re a landlord, they want their money. They don’t say anything, really, though. They don’t return phone calls, e-mails. We’re frankly confused by their lack of contact,” Cheatham says.

Continue reading “Eyedrum auction raises funds but crisis lingers” »

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City Hall East hosts the Young Architects Forum (YAF) this Thurs. Aug. 27 from 7-10 p.m. for the final installment of their Summer Salon showcase. Architecture students and professionals will share their visions of the future. The YAF blog promises refreshments and even ghost tours, provided by the Medici Foundation. Click here for the full flyer.

The Metro Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition (MAACC) has rescheduled their Mayoral Forum on public art for Mon., Oct. 12 from 6-8 p.m. The participating candidates for mayor are Lisa Borders, Mary Norwood, Kasim Reed, and Jesse Spikes. MAACC requests that RSVPs be emailed to advocacy@metroatlantaarts.org.

This Saturday is the third and final installment of Artspalooza, the first of many youth education initiatives by the Woodruff Arts Center funded by their recent $12 million grant. If you or your kids are into mural painting, African dance, or cartooning, why not treat the fam’ to a day of culture, courtesy the Goizueta Foundation?

And the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs proudly announces the restoration of the S. Truett Cathy monument, aka the No Goal Is Too High If We Climb With Care And Confidence sculpture. Samuel Truett Cathy is the 88-year-old founder of the Chick-fil-A fast food chain. He built his first restaurant when he was 25.

(Photo courtesy Young Architects Forum of Atlanta)

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