EVENTS 10:04 a.m.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Atlanta Celebrates Photography throughout month

By Catherine Fox For the AJC

If you dont know that October is photography month in metro Atlanta, you will soon. Thanks to the efforts of Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the home-grown organization dedicated to promoting the art of the lens, photographic work of every description reigns supreme every fall. And not just in galleries and museums across the state.
Tierney Gearon, Courtesy of Jackson Fine Art

Youll encounter it just about everywhere you look. For example: Sublime Doughnuts in Midtown, the Smyrna Public Library, the REI sporting-goods store near Clairmont Road, Backstage Restaurant and Lounge in College Park. You get the picture. During the 11 years since its inception, ACP has evolved into one of Atlantas liveliest arts institutions. In addition to exhibits, its programs encompass lectures, public art projects services for professional artists and participation opportunities for amateurs. As its scope has broadened, so has its mission. Originally conceived to promote photography, ACP now sees itself as a community-builder. Says executive director Amy Miller, We want to make culture happen. That means oiling the whole system: developing new audiences, encouraging patrons, expanding knowledge making Atlanta, Miller says, a place where artists can thrive and stay. To that end, ACP initiated a number of new programs this year. Greenhouse, for example, is a series of meetings in which photographers can discuss ideas, ask advice and share information. Each meeting will include all types of photographers to encourage cross-pollination. In another new venture, ACP has recorded video interviews with 10 of Atlantas established photography collectors, asking how and why they became collectors and what its meant to them. The videos, which will be available through the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center and Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, are intended to inspire a new generation of patrons. Miller and Michael David Murphy, program manager, operate ACP out of a converted darkroom at Showcase School of Photography. Their equally tiny budget, even smaller in this recessionary year, is $227,000, with an additional $40,000 in in-kind expenditures. So, how does this mouse roar? Our model is built on partnerships and collaboration, Miller says. The impressive guest speaker list is possible, for example, because ACP joins forces with galleries that show the artists, museums and other organizations. Gregory Crewdson, internationally known for his elaborate staged tableaux, appears at the Rialto Center for the Arts on Oct. 15 because ACP was able to partner with the Society for Photographic Education (SPE) to attract him. Crewdson didnt know us, but he knew SPE, Miller says. In turn, SPE chose Atlanta in October for its regional meeting so that it could piggyback on ACPs exhibits and programs. Its this kind of synergy that has fed ACPs momentum, buoyed the organization during these hard times and made it a role model for the benefits of pooling strengths and resources.
Vincent Laforet, Courtesy of Matre Gallery Vincent will speak at SCAD on Oct. 7th and his exhibition will open at Matre Gallery on October 8th. Renee Cox, Courtesy of Spelman College Museum of Art Renee Cox's "Missy at Home" is part of the exhibit "Undercover: Performing and Transforming Black Female identities" now on display at Spelman College Museum of Art.