Lee Tesche's Edgewood

You are going to be busy this weekend, my art-loving peeps. Friday, get yourself to Friday Jazz at the High Museum. Thrill your senses with food, drink, art, and music. Saturday, you better not miss Burnaway’s Inaugural Fundraiser and Exhibition. Their curated show entitled Lot and Parcel features works by Atlanta artists depicting maps of local neighborhoods. Lee Tesche created a piece on Edgewood–my very own ’hood (description below). Read the full Creative Loafing article here. 

Lee Tesche, Edgewood
“The idea behind my map was that my neighborhood (Edgewood) was much more than street lines and street names. It was the embodiment of the people who live there and could be better described in these moments or major events in their lives. Take my street for example. I don’t think of numbers or of the street name, I think about when a car caught on fire or standing in my driveway clutching a bottle of wine right after a breakup or sitting at my kitchen table sifting through bills trying to figure out what I can afford to pay. That’s Edgewood to me. To my neighbor it might be the moment the garbage truck backed into their car or where they were standing the moment they made a big life decision. Anyway, i’ve tried to capture that. We’ll see if I was successful. That’s why I’ve been tooling over this copy, it’s not my strongpoint so I’m hoping it comes off alright. It’s tricky. I can make anything look pretty, I’m just hoping it tells the stories in the correct way.”

My very artistic sister-in-law, Lisa Hernandez, has finished painting a 5-foot tall fiber-glass cat sculpture for Stamford, CT’s Reigning Cats and Dogs exhibit. Similar to the Cows on Parade show that appeared in various cities (including Atlanta) years ago, these huge cats will pepper Stamford hot spots all summer long. In September they will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to various animal welfare organizations. Bring these to Atlanta–they’d be perfect for the Beltline.

Yesterday was my last full day at the Center for Puppetry Arts because … wait for it… I got a job! Yep, that’s right– the original purpose of this blog is fulfilled. I start as a member of the marketing team at the High Museum of Art on Monday. It’s been a long few months, but thanks to lots of side projects and the Center I have kept plenty busy. I met the CPA marketing crew today for lunch and they gave me the coolest, most appropriate present–a mug filled with art-oriented finger puppets! Claude Monet, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and the dude from The Scream will now grace my new desk at the High. And while I may post less frequently while I get my sea legs at the new gig, I think I’m going to keep The Art Gardner going. I’ve enjoyed the heck out of it so far. Ta Ra for now.

The artists market at the Decatur Arts Festival was chock-a-block with great art, but the most unusual vendor I came across was Puppet Artists of Darby, MT. In addition to famous characters and celebrities, they can make a custom puppet of you. They just need a good picture. It could be the perfect gift for the person who has everything, because let’s face it–who has a puppet of themself?

Don’t miss the 2010 Decatur Arts Festival this Memorial Day weekend. My favorite part of the festival is always the artists market with 140 artists selling their wares. This year there’s something else I can’t wait for–Bonaventure Quartet plays on the performing arts stage Sunday at 2pm. Lovers of gypsy jazz and swing will appreciate Amy Pike’s singular vocals and you may just find yourself dancing to the Django Reinhardt-inspired rhythms. I also want to shout out congratulations to the group that designed the poster for this year featuring James Dean’s Pete the Cat. It’s about time–Pete IS Decatur. Love it!

Back at my desk, I realized that I am sort of “flying blind” with the Google Grant. I sure could use some night vision right about now in order to maximize our gift from Google. So I thought I’d bounce it out to the online community (the human equivalent of echo-location) and see what comes back. I find the forums and online help a bit thin. Is anyone out there using their Google Grant successfully? There are a number of limitations (CPC rate most notably) and I’m wondering if any nonprofits out there have “cracked the code” and are getting maximum value?

Dr. Sketchy's at Atlanta's Clermont Lounge

It’s a titillating new sensation in art classes–Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School.  Started in New York by artist Molly Crabapple, ”Dr. Sketchy’s is what happens when cabaret meets art school.”  For three blissful hours participants bring a few bucks, an open mind, and their medium of choice, and draw unique models carefully scouted. From one week to the next you may get a muscled macho man, a burlesque babe or a costumed cutie. There may even be–gasp–nudity. So long stuffy art school classes–Dr. Sketchy’s is now a global phenomenon with branches in major cities from LA to London to Tokyo. There’s even a Dr. Sketchy’s in little old Atlanta–check out the schedule here.

One odd casting decision is the panel of judges. While all esteemed art critics and collectors, nary a one appears to be an actual artist. Wouldn’t that have made sense? Surely there are plenty of contemporary artists that have “made it” who would be keen to participate. Still this doesn’t dampen my enthusiasm. I think it’s a brilliant concept for a show and Bravo has seldom done me wrong. Bring on the drama!