Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud is an innovative program which encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance of the written word. It incorporates the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English and drama class. Poetry Out Loud, which began in 2005, helps students improve public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn great poetry in literature.

Functioning much like a spelling bee, the POL competition uses a pyramid structure that begins in the classroom. Winners of each classroom recitation competition advance to a school-wide contest, then each school’s top winner goes to a regional semi-final competition. Semi-final competitions take place in February 2017. Finalists from the regional semi-final competitions will advance to the state finals in March 2017. Finally, one Georgia champion will compete at the National Finals in Washington, D.C. in May 2017. Participating schools must register by December 16, 2016.

Prizes
The winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip with an adult chaperone to Washington D.C. to compete for the national championship. The state winner’s school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The first runner-up in each state receives $100, with $200 for his or her school library. A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends is awarded annually at the National Finals, with one winner taking home a college scholarship for $20,000.

Program Materials
Curriculum materials include a teacher’s guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, a print and online poetry anthology, an audio CD demonstrating spoken word through use of famous actors and writers, and a “Learning Recitation” DVD. All of these items are provided free to participating schools.

How to Participate
If your school would like to participate in Poetry Out Loud, we need to hear from you as soon as possible. For a high school to participate, one point person or “school coordinator” at that location must commit to be the liaison between the high school and the state coordinator. To participate this year, complete the POL Coordinator Form or contact Emily Cobb via email at ecobb@atlantahistorycenter.com or by phone at 404.814.4017.

Deadline for School Registration
December 16, 2016

For More Information
Visit the Georgia Poetry Out Loud web page.

Questions?
If you have questions, email Emily Cobb, POL Coordinator, at ecobb@atlantahistorycenter.com, or call 404.818.4017.

Poet Laureate’s Prize Call for Entries – High School Students

Georgia’s Poet Laureate, Judson Mitcham, in collaboration with Georgia Council for the Arts, is pleased to announce the fourth annual Poet Laureate’s Prize, awarded for an original poem written by a Georgia high school student. A winner and four finalists will be selected by the Poet Laureate and announced in early April 2017. The winning poet and finalists will have the opportunity to meet Governor and Mrs. Deal and the Poet Laureate when they are honored at the Georgia State Capitol in the spring. The winner and finalists will also tour the historic Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta. The winning and finalist poems will be published by Atlanta Magazine at atlantamagazine.com. Entry details are included in the guidelines below. Entry deadline is March 3, 2017. Contact Allen Bell at abell@gaarts.org with questions.

Eligibility
The Poet Laureate’s Prize is open to all Georgia high school students, grades 9 through 12, currently enrolled in a Georgia public school, private school, or home school. Students submitting poems must be a resident of the state of Georgia. Minors should have his/her parent’s or legal guardian’s permission to enter (see entry form for details).

Entry Guidelines

  • Only one poem per student will be accepted.
  • Only original work will be considered and cannot contain previously published and/or copyrighted material in any part by any 3rd party.
  • The poem may not be offensive or inappropriate.
  • The poem may not be longer than 30 lines.
  • Poems must be printed in an easy-to-read, non-italic, black font that is 12 points or larger.
  • Entrants share with Georgia Council for the Arts the rights to print and publish submitted poems.
  • Entries from minors must be accompanied by a parent’s or legal guardian’s signature giving permission for entry.
  • To be eligible, entries must be submitted with a complete entry form, including signatures.

Submissions 
Poems must be submitted electronically as either a Microsoft Word or PDF file to 
PoetLaureate@gaarts.org.

Deadline for Entries
March 3, 2017

For More Information
Visit the Georgia Poet Laureate’s Prize web page.

Questions?
If you have questions, email Allen Bell, Arts Education Manager, at abell@gaarts.org.

Call For Artists : December 2016 and Beyond

Call for artists listings for December 2016 and beyond, compiled by our great friends at Burnaway!

December 2016

The Wassaic Artist Residency
Location: Wassaic, NY
The Wassaic Artist Residency exists to provide a genuine and intimate context for art-making, and we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to reopen the Winter Resident Application exclusively for writers!  We recognize the limited number of writers that live and work with us each season, and thus want to address that need.  We accept 1-3 month proposals for our Winter Residency Season exclusively for Writers (February-April). Residents are selected by a review committee composed of the board of directors and professionals in the field. They will be selected based on the quality of their work, commitment to their practice, and ability to interact positively with the community at large. Please head here for more information.
Deadline: Opens in December

Atlantic Center for the Arts Master Artist Residency
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida
The Master Artist Residency was the core program at our founding, and it has served over 3,500 emerging and midcareer artists from many disciplines. The residency is unique in that it is a mentoring program that couples prominent Master Artists with selected Associate Artists for three-week periods. Since residencies are process-based and not product-driven, time can be spent on previously existing projects, on new experiments, or on collaborations. The residency is also unique in that it focuses on creating conversations and the sharing of ideas between three disciplines per program, which can include visual artists, writers, dancers, and musicians as well as many other types of art. Please visit About the Master Artists-in-Residence Program to learn more.
Deadline: December 4

Black Mountain College {Re}HAPPENING
Location: Black Mountain, NC
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center announces an opportunity for artists to participate in the 2017 {Re}HAPPENING on Saturday March 25 between 3pm-10pm at Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain, NC. We invite artists to propose projects that reflect the innovative spirit of Black Mountain College. Artists are encouraged to take risks and demonstrate elements of process, spontaneity, experimentation, collaboration, and audience participation. Each selected artist project will receive a $250 honorarium. ARTISTS OF ALL GENRES AND DISCIPLINES are encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI should be a brief one-page outline that describes the project, includes participating artists and how the project connects to the Black Mountain College legacy. Find details here.
Deadline: December 21

The X Show
Location: Charleston, SC
PULP Gallery is pleased to announce our second annual adults only art exhibition, The X Show. For centuries artists have explored the body as a way to understand facets of identity such as gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity.  We are seeking artists who explore these areas to make ‘art & photographs for grown-ups.’ This  X-rated show opens on Valentine’s Day 2017. Please visit www.xshowcharleston.com for more information.
Deadline: December 31


January 2017

Nasty Women Exhibition at Gallery Luperca
Location: Nashville, TN
This is the Nashville sister of the Nasty Women Exhibition in Queens, NYC. This is a group exhibition that serves to demonstrate solidarity among artists who identify with being a Nasty Woman in the face of threats to roll back women’s rights, individual rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant rights. It also serves as a fundraiser to support organizations defending these rights and to be a platform for organization near the Trump Presidential Inauguration in January. The works in this exhibition will be available for sale – 100% of the sale will go to The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. Find details about submission criteria here.
Deadline: January 7

C4 Hatch Training Intensive
Location: Atlanta, GA
Applications for the Spring 2016 Hatch Training Intensive open December 1, 2016.The Hatch Training Intensive is specifically targeted towards readying artists to work in community centric art projects that are both sustainable and meaningful to all involved stakeholders. Twelve artists will be chosen for this program through a competitive application process. Arts workers of all disciplines and mediums will be considered, including those working in all visual and performing arts, music, dance, film or as arts administrators. Artists will learn:
+Methods of organizing community around social impact through arts and culture emphasizing available assets over deficits
+Tools and activities to engage dialogue, break down barriers, and create a shared language amongst key stakeholders
+The history and processes of city planning, and the ways in which arts and culture can be utilized in urban development
+How to negotiate, read/build contracts, and build robust budgets that both account for all aspects of project expense, including artist fee, and reflect the story of your project to funders and stakeholders.
Click here for application.
Deadline: 
January 9

Telfair Museums: Boxed In/Break Out
Location: Savannah, GA
Telfair Museums is looking for local artists. Boxed In/Break Out is a museum-sponsored public art installation to activate six windows at the Jepson Center. Boxed In/Break Out will highlight the work of an artist, through public display, promotional materials, and an artist talk. In addition to museum-supported promotion, the artist will receive a $1,000 honorarium. For more information, please visit telfair.org/boxed2017.
Deadline: January 16

2017 Vans Custom Culture

VANS Custom Culture Grants are available to public high schools (including charter schools) serving students in grades 9-12. The grants are intended to encourage the inclusion of the arts as an integral component of an excellent education, and to support activities that are consistent with local and national learning standards for arts education. Ten (10) schools across the country will each receive a $2,000 grant to support their work in providing high-quality music and/or visual arts instruction for students. The application deadline is Friday, December 16.

FY18 Partner and Project Grant guidelines are now available.

The FY18 Partner and Project Grant guidelines are available here: http://gaarts.org/grant-funding/apply-for-a-grant/available-funding  The deadline for applications is February 10, 2017 at 11:59 PM.  GO, Georgia Council for the Art’s online application system, will be open to accept applications in mid-December.  Online webinars are scheduled in January for both Project and Partner Grants.  See the guidelines for complete details and links to register.

FY18 Arts Education Program Grant guidelines will be available in mid-December.  FY18 Vibrant Communities guidelines will be available in July, 2017.

Contact Tina Lilly, Grants Program Director, at tlilly@gaarts.org or 404-962-4827 with any questions about Project or Partner Grants.

Macon Arts Alliance presents “Drawn Together” exhibit for October

Macon, Georgia – How do artists collaborate? Quite organically, as they’re “Drawn Together.” So begins the story of six Monroe Art Guild members that found within one another, an innate likeness, thus this special collaboration was born. Their self-titled show, “Drawn Together,” is comprised of master collage artist Susan Pelham, Bobbie Austin, Sue Grilli, Judy Norman, Stephanie Ruby, and Maribeth Schmeltzer. Opening night is Friday, October 7 from 5-8pm. Enjoy the sounds of The Blue Possum Pickers & John Charles Griffin outside The Gallery. The show will be on display through October 28. The exhibit is always free and open to the public.

This marriage of artists occurred many years ago out of a passion for art and their involvement in the Monroe Art Guild, located in Monroe, Georgia. Teachers became pupils, mentees became mentors, and without pause, meaningful relationships inherently formed. “Drawn Together” was coined because it “felt fitting,” explained Susan Pelham, as if natural forces brought them to one another.

As artists they’ve experienced personal renaissances, transforming and honing in on their craft. As friends, they’ve lived through birth, loss, and relocation. Each artist has found a personal connection with creating art, every piece laced with a story.

While studying at Florida State University in the early 60s, Pelham discovered and became intrigued with Magic Realism of the 1940s. “Only recently in exploring [the medium of] collage work, and thinking about Magic Realism in the writings of Gabriel Garcia Marques and Franz Kafka, have I begun to explore Magic Realism in my own work,” explains Pelham. “I enjoy referencing literature in my collages…nursery rhymes, Haiku, Limericks, and children’s camp songs inspire the subject; I like hiding little jokes in the composition.”

Under the study of Mary Jo Smith and John Quin, Austin’s craft was formed. “I create art to tell a story and to socialize with other artists,” explains Austin. She has learned paper making skills in China and the art of plein air painting in Italy. Austin’s works in this show include palette knife oil paintings and a ceramic sculpture, reflecting her versatility in both mediums.

Grilli’s work explores the impact of physical surroundings, always aiming to capture natural beauty. “I’m inspired by nature and the landscape, whether that is land, sea or city, I have been working to express the view in my surroundings. I have found looking at the landscape…there become little stories imbedded in the paintings. I strive for viewers to seek their own story within the colors and shapes.”

For Norman, her work focuses on abstract texture and color. “I’ve always had a love of color and art,” proclaims Norman. “I began my artistic journey in 2002 by taking an intensive course in decorative arts…and in recent years have decided to concentrate on canvas art and encaustics.”

Ruby is inspired by people, textures and expressions as each one of her pictures is a story to the person viewing them. Her background in psychiatry has helped Ruby to express the raw emotion of subjects in her pastel paintings.

Schmeltzer’s journey in art began upon moving to Monroe and becoming involved with the Monroe Art Guild. “I took lessons with Bobbie Austin who helped get me moving in the right direction. Later I joined the board of the Monroe Art Guild and formed a friendship with the other ladies…we remained friends and continued showing our work as a group,” states Schmeltzer.

Macon Arts Alliance presents “Les Trois Artistes” exhibit for September

“Les Trois Artistes,” a story of three artists, debuts at the Macon Arts Alliance on First Friday, September 2 from 5-8 p.m. Experience the collaborative harmony of Cherry Brewer, Travis Hart, and Michelle Lisenby. The opening reception will be on display through September 30. The exhibit is always free and open to the public.

Brewer, Hart, and Lisenby have known each other for years. Their friendship is one of inspiration and encouragement whether on canvas or in life. “We all have a similar expression to our work,” states Lisenby.

As a child, Brewer spent hours on end with her sketch pad getting lost in drawings. “My dream was to become a commercial artist. Instead, as a young adult, I became a hairstylist and ultimately owned a salon for a number of years. I realize now, that becoming a hairstylist was a way for me to earn a living, and still keep a connection with the creative process.”

It wasn’t until after choosing to stay at home and raise her children, that Brewer realized her desire to create was very much alive and thriving. “Over the years, I have experimented and painted on anything from furniture, walls, canvas, glass, wood, columns and more…I tend to lean toward acrylics, using vivid, intense color combined with texture and glaze to achieve the desired effect,” states Brewer.

Hart considers himself a natural born artist as he has been painting and drawing virtually all of his life. 2004 was the start of his professional career and today hang in private homes and collections from New York, Chicago, Miami, and Paris.

“My work can be described as either contemporary impressionism or abstract. Both styles employ my personal technique of deconstructing realism,” states Hart. “I’ve spoken to a number of groups on the subject, describing the step-by-step method behind my process in the talk From the Real to the Unreal.”

Viewing a Mark Rothko at the Whitney Museum in NYC was a life changing moment for Lisenby; that’s when she knew she loved art and started playing around with paint. Lisenby mixes every medium from watercolors to oils to create subtle yet powerful works that reflect her personal philosophy. “I like art to speak for itself, allowing each person to experience it differently,” says Lisenby.

Open Community Forum, Mill Hill East Macon Arts Village

At a meeting at the offices of the Macon Arts Alliance on July 26 at 7 p.m., representatives from the Macon Arts Alliance staff and board gave written notification to Ed Woodham and Samantha Hill (the “Artists”) that, effective July 26th, Macon Arts Alliance was terminating the Artists’ participation in the Artist-in-Residence Program due to the Artists’ failure to live up to specific items within their contractual agreements. Of its own accord, and without contractual obligation, Macon Arts Alliance offered both Artists severance pay to defray any personal costs to them for the early termination of their participation in the Program. This decision was made after much consideration and consultation with various partners in the Program. At the end of the day, all parties involved in this decision felt that this was in the best interest of the community and the project as a whole. We are disappointed by this outcome, but we will continue to work with residents of the Mill Hill neighborhood and other stakeholders to do what is best for this community and this Program.

From the very beginning, the Mill Hill East Macon Arts Village has been about inclusion, equity, and engagement. The goal is to reduce blight and increase economic opportunity for existing residents in this neighborhood and to reconnect the economic drivers to the community. We have used an asset-based community development approach, working with local residents and community partners to identify and engage residents and their gifts.

We invite all neighborhood residents and community stakeholders to join in an open conversation about this project, its goals, and the future of the Mill Hill initiative. An open community forum will be held on Wednesday, August 3 from 5:30-7p.m. in the Green Room of the Family Investment Center at 905 Main Street, Macon, Georgia 31217.

About Mill Hill: East Macon Arts Village

Mill Hill: East Macon Arts Village is a neighborhood revitalization effort that seeks to develop approximately four blocks of the historic Fort Hawkins Neighborhood in East Macon into an arts village in order to address blight and foster economic opportunity. The effort is a partnership between neighborhood residents, Macon Arts Alliance, the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority, and many community stakeholders. The Mill Hill effort seeks to address the challenges of blight and lack of economic opportunity in the neighborhood known as the “Birthplace of Macon.”

Macon Arts Alliance Presents “Stories of Personal Freedom” exhibit for August

“Stories of Personal Freedom,” an explorative journey through images debuts at the Macon Arts Alliance on First Friday, August 5 from 5-8 p.m. Experience the narratives of Micah Goguen and Joy Madden Raynor with musical accompaniment by Louise Warren. The opening reception will be on display through August 27. The exhibit is always free and open to the public.

A lifetime of problems surrounding his eyesight directly impacted Goguen’s visual responsiveness to the world around him. “I used art early on to record what I saw and communicate how I was feeling. The process of creation and problem solving always interested me and color has always been a driving force in my art,” states Goguen.

As a Macon native, the city is invariably present in who Goguen is today. “Many of the building blocks of my journey were tailor made with the history of the city,” explains Goguen. “I put a great deal of myself into my artwork. I invite people to form their own conclusions. Aspects of my work may or may not resonate with every person but I hope that someone can connect with my experience.”

Goguen’s work is comprised of mixed media, bold colors, and expressive marks. What is seen on canvas directly correlates to what is going on his daily life, those with whom he interacts, and small moments that happen in between.

Goguen is currently pursuing a Masters in Art Therapy and teaches at the St. Francis Art Center in Macon as well as other venues across the state.

Raynor is the daughter and granddaughter of painters, however found her niche when hands met clay. “My mother and grandfather were two-dimensional oil painters, however I only found my own two-dimensional successes through photography. I have always enjoyed the three-dimensional aspects of clay and find that rewarding.”

“Clay intrigues me for many reasons, however specifically during the Raku process, I am dazzled by pulling a fiery piece of pottery out of the kiln and placing it into sawdust to smoke and activate the metallic glazes,” exclaims Raynor. “My newest interest in clay is to transfer one of my photos onto clay, in a creation that enhances both. I’ve been able to do this with Polaroid emulsion lifts, transfers, and Liquid Light applications.”

Raynor is a retired speech pathologist from the Bradenton, Florida public school system. Her skills have been acquired through courses at Penland School of Crafts in Penland, North Carolina, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Wild Acres in Little Switzerland, North Carolina.

Macon Arts Alliance presents “Tasteful Visions” exhibit for June

It’s a fanciful feast for the eyes with “Tasteful Visions!” Wine and dine on delectable works exhibited by members of the Ocmulgee Painters Society. Opening reception will be at the Macon Arts Alliance on First Friday, June 3 from 5-8 p.m. Art will be on display through June 24. The exhibit is always free and open to the public.

“Tasteful Visions” exhibit is the comprised work of twelve Macon-Perry based artists known as the Ocmulgee Painters Society. The society’s goal is to make beautiful art and never stop growing in their craft. Members meet monthly to share newest works, provide critiques, and continue their education as evolving artists. This particular show will display the paintings of Glenda Coleman, Carol Costello, Mary Wain Ellison, Carol Griffin, Sheila Johnson, Joe Ott, Maureen Persons, Bren Powell, Lee Reeves, Debbie Schuchmann, Daly Smith, and Joy Stanley.

“It’s important to me for people to know my work is about gratitude and joy,” states Schuchmann. “My goal is for viewers to experience a sense of celebration, celebrating people, places, or things. I want them to be inspired to enjoy life more or to be a better person.”

Evoking change is the ethos of the the Ocmlgee Painters Society. The group of individuals united in hopes to inspire, motivate, and engage the community in which they live. According to the society’s website, art intrinsically adds value to society by maintaining the emotional and spiritual side of our culture and its individuals.

“I want people to know I love the process of creating,” proclaims Powell. “I want my painting to be mysterious enough that each viewer can put their own story in what they see.”

Making art has crept into each one of the society member’s lives whether overtly or by some unknown design.

“I grew in Milledgeville on a farm. This is where I would watch sunlight moving across a field. The sun would make such beautiful colorful shapes as it moved across the field. I still fine myself chasing that spot of light whether in a landscape, figure, or in a still life. It gives me joy using different brush strokes to apply paint to the canvas. It that pure and honest ray of light that is so hard to capture in an oil painting,” states Coleman.