Nature inspires art
April 2 — Hey, all you art lovers! Thanks for checking in for another great week of art news.
This week, I’m highlighting a new greenspace that’s currently being developed on the grounds of ArtsXchange in East Point.
🌿 This ambitious project is headed up by a partnership with Shades of Green Permaculture, headquartered in Avondale Estates. I got the inside scoop as to why a focus on the ecosystem around us is important to the lives of artists and community members in this week’s feature.
Also this week, there are some great art news updates. From a series of works dedicated to Atlanta’s tree canopy to essential fundraising efforts for artists, there are many positive news stories to share.
As always, thanks for reading!
Isadora
ArtsXchange embarks on ambitious greenspace project with Shades of Green Permaculture
🌱 In East Point, the ArtsXchange Southeast Community Cultural Center is getting a green facelift. Thanks to a partnership with Shades of Green Permaculture, the quarter acre of land in front of the ArtsXchange building will soon be home to a regenerative community greenspace for artists.
Penned as “more than just a landscape project” in a press release, this effort will not only support and uplift artists and community members who frequent the cultural center, it will also hopefully inspire similar projects undertaken by other organizations.
➡️ Read more about the new greenspace at ArtsXchange here.
Coming Soon: Experience Art at Oakland After Dark!
SPONSORED BY HISTORIC OAKLAND FOUNDATION
💡 Cat Eye Creative and Oakland Cemetery have teamed up to curate a dynamic lineup of artists who will debut original work at illumine (April 17-27). Artists include Vanna Black, Kevin Chambers, FRKO, Bojana Ginn, Angie Jerez, Navin June Norling, and VAYNE. Their installations, projections, sculptures, and more will bring new life to Oakland’s unique historic setting.
🖼️ Enjoy live music, colorful lighting, and stunning art exhibits. Grab a drink, take your time, and experience Oakland after dark! Tickets start at $15. Purchase yours now!
April Art News
🌳 SCAD SERVE, in partnership with Georgia Forestry Commission, honored Georgia Governors’ legacy in trees by commissioning tree portraits completed by SCAD Fine Arts painting students. The original paintings were created depicting native tree species selected by Governor Kemp alongside five former governors. Each of these species are planted in the Georgia Forest Commission’s “Governors’ Grove” near Macon, Georgia. “It’s an honor to join Georgia’s governors in celebrating both the incredible natural beauty of our forests and the creativity and talent of our students,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Georgia is blessed with bountiful forest resources, which are uniquely preserved and presented through this project. Thank you to all our young artists who made this possible.” (pictured)
⛓️💥 Emory University’s Michael C. Carlos Museum has welcomed Brooklyn-based artist Timothy Hull to exhibit his work in “Anonymous Fragments,” as well as a teaching artist residency. Hull’s work explores memory, language, and abstraction, and his workshops offer hands-on opportunities for visitors to engage with art through experimental drawing techniques and observation. Hear directly from Hull during his artist talk, “Painting in the Imperfect Tense,” on Fri., April 4 from 7-8 p.m. This residency is part of the Carlos Museum’s efforts to connect the museum and university to the broader Atlanta community through contemporary art. The exhibition will remain on view through June 29.
💰 Are you an artist who was affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton? South Arts is now accepting applications for the Southern Arts Recovery Fund for artists from Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Artists working in design, literature, media, performing, visual, interdisciplinary, music, dance, opera, theater, folk, and traditional art are welcome to apply through May 7, 2025. Awards of $2000 each will help replace supplies and equipment lost in the storms and their aftermath.
👏 The Sandy Springs Art Foundation (SSAF) released their 2024 year-end report outlining their efforts to support the arts in Sandy Springs last year. They generated nearly $160,000 to support arts programming initiatives, including five public schools and seven local nonprofits. Last year, the efforts of SSAF included ArtBeat, a showcase of more than 450 public school students’ works, including dance, songs, music, and acting, supported by a $50,000 grant. “Art Springs Forth,” a fundraiser in November, raised almost $40,000, some of which directly supports middle and high school programs. Other highlights include a $70,000 grant to the City of Sandy Springs to use for grassroots arts nonprofits.
Art Happenings
🏆 The City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs presents the 2024/2025 Emerging Artist Award Exhibition featuring works by awardees Alison Haseldon, Edward Holmes, Joseph Abu, Kierra Saddler, Kyoko Thomas, and Meaghan Novoa. Opens Thurs., April 3 from 6-8:30 p.m.
💻 AI Day in the A, an event that brings together a number of activations centered around Generative AI, will take place at Atlanta Contemporary on #404Day, Fri., April 4 from 12-6 p.m.
👁️🗨️ Cat Eye Creative will officially debut their new Decatur location during a Grand Opening event, Fri., April 4 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
⏰ Artist Jessica Elaine Blinkhorn will present a mini-retrospective of works that document her battle with Spinal Muscular Atrophy during “Timeline: Two Decades of Atrophy” at The End Project Space. Opens Fri., April 4 from 6-8 p.m.
🖼️ “Contrapunto,” Latin Group Show, will debut at Gallery Chimera this weekend. Featuring artists from Peru, Nicaragua, Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, the show opens Sat., April 5 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. (pictured)
🎶 ABV Gallery welcomes more than 50 artists to a group show “Sound Waves,” featuring works inspired by specific songs. Open Sat., April 5 from 6-10 p.m.
🧑🧑🧒 Family Saturday, a day of arts programming for all ages, returns to the High Museum of Art this weekend. Programming includes Toddler Saturdays, Studio Sessions, and Teen Art Afternoons. Sat., April 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
🎉 Olmsted Linear Park welcomes the return of the beloved annual tradition The Festival on Ponce, featuring more than 125 displays of fine art and crafts. Sat. and Sun., April 5-6.
🎊 The Acworth Art Fest will feature more than 100 artisans set up along Main Street. In addition to vendors, there is also a Kidz Zone, live entertainment, and a food court. Sat. and Sun., April 5-6.
Post of the Week
🖌️ Watercolor artist Jessica Lily works magic with her brush on the regular. Known for her botanicals and portraiture, I just love watching her brush create new works in videos like this one she posted on Instagram.
