Hello again, art friends. This is Jimmie and I really have to be clear, there are not any conspiracies going on, there hasn't been a coup or anything.
Nobody is getting kicked out! :)
This group is gonna prosper over the holiday season and as I like to say, it's from the play money… lol.
Anyway, there are so many events going on in the next couple of weeks, and I want to showcase a few:
Storytelling Is Everywhere Around You…
Atlanta Photography Group is doing a show on zoom, focusing on photography and street art. This is so accessible, I feel like anybody who loves art will be able to learn something.
And this is from the Atlanta Photography Group. A very supportive group of photographers. The thing I love about them is the huge amount of real world mentorship and critique. There's lessons & seminars, an educational benefit to being a member of the club as well.
And you also get an opportunity to show your work through small gallery group shows, exhibitions and things of that nature. The idea for this is you, you go for the virtual artists talk.
And then afterwards… go to the gallery reception.
Art of Activism At 7 Stages
I'm definitely not going to tell you to come out of your pocket, but I will try to surround you with people who could definitely use the support. Turtle Island Trading Company is helping produce the incredible First Voices Festival for the third year.
It sounds amazing. William Harjo is a fascinating Muscogee elder and flute maker and his “Art of Activism” This is a great opportunity to talk with someone with lots of knowledge about Powwows, traditional arts, and history.
Obviously, you should go to the festival, but I also want to encourage you to visit Turtle Island Trading Company.
Film Screening at the Plaza
Bad River is a new documentary film which chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and its ongoing fight for sovereignty, a story which unfolds in a groundbreaking way through a series of shocking revelations, devastating losses, and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience which includes a David vs. Goliath battle to save Lake Superior, the largest freshwater resource in America.
As Eldred Corbine, a Bad River Tribal Elder declares: “We gotta protect it… die for it, if we have to.”
The Neighborhood Gathers At Callanwolde
This is a reliable venue that you're always happy to have. In a large city like Atlanta, you don't need to have some elite degree of taste to find a great experience. There are so many midsized institutions that can provide you with a world-class experience if you just leave the house.
Forever I Love Atlanta is closing at Callanwolde… this is just a legendary, bedrock Atlanta venue, you can't really go wrong here. Like, it's extremely user friendly.
I have the same feelings about the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia. This is somewhere you can just pop in and get a lot of arts history, and connect with a lot of local artists. Generally, I'm skeptical of big galleries, but if someone wants me to recommend one, I'd recommend MOCA first.
They've got Celebration: The Past Forward happening all month, and you'll be able to plug into a LOT of Atlanta arts history.
Shoutout to Local Independent Films at Atlanta Contemporary!
I looked up John Dierre Welch on YouTube and the host asked him what his style was and what he liked to cover, and he was like “anything with Black people”. I am curious to what he'll be bringing to the screening with Atlanta Contemporary.
I like the idea of supporting more local film and filmmakers.
Go Hands On At ArtsXChange
There are also some cool activities planned at ArtsXchange in the next couple of weeks – they have an interactive Scrabble workshop and multimedia performances.
I think these hands-on events are a fun way to connect with art, and it's a no-lose scenario. Who gets mad playing Scrabble.
Feedback is Key!
Lastly, remember that your feedback is super important!
Let me know what kinds of events you want to see in the future. I'm still figuring out the cadence of events as well as how much ya'll want to observe art vs network and create your own.
Thanks for listening, and I can’t wait to see all of you at these events!
This is a variety of events.
If you're a person that you will go to stuff in the afternoons. We got stuff for you. If you go to stuff at nights. If you go on the weekends, the weekdays.
Go by yourself.
Come with us. Go with your best friend. Just, just engage with art. And if you are even just. Listening to these conversations. Or reflecting on these ideas. Like, honestly, just looking at these images for the last 10 minutes has probably made you a cooler. More interesting.
Arts is everywhere around you. It can be the Penguin on HBO. That show was great!
Best,
Jimmie
i'm on bluesky.