The Pioneering Spirit of America, Alan Avery speaks to Women.

Alan Avery has been part of the art world from the early age of 9 when he was introduced by older friends to artists like Thomas Benton.  Few people knows that Alan Avery had two art related college degrees by the time he was 17. He worked for the Abstein Gallery for 11 years before moving on to the Trinity Gallery that we all knew and loved.  Then just a couple of years ago he changed the Trinity into the Alan Avery Company.

Alan Avery and the Women’s Caucus for Art of Georgia’s paths collided with the celebration of 30 years for the Alan Avery Company. This event is celebrated by the Art show “The Glass Ceiling Shattered,” currently at the Gallery until February 10, 2012. He was kind to invite us to be part of the preview. After looking at the show and thinking about all the events and the people involved it is natural to wonder. Why did he choose women artists, why did he choose these 3 women? Why did he choose that title? That is some of the questions that went through my head.

I contacted Avery on Facebook of all places and ask him these questions. It turned out that the answer was not a simple or easily explained one and that I was not the only one that asked him these questions. Other individuals, friends and critics asked the same questions. Thus the talk “ Alan Avery Speaks to Women” was born. On Saturday, December 12 a group of women and one man gathered to listen to what Avery had to say.

Apparently these three women was not the first choice but because of events out of his control he had to change the show and the more he thought about the 30th celebration the more the three in the thirty began to stand out. Thus the choice of three artists. He wanted something new and groundbreaking, something that would challenge the Atlanta Community. Thus three women artists.


The wonderful title, was from none other than Hillary Clinton. She mention the glass ceiling being shattered in her Concession Speech in 2008. In Alan Avery’s view Kara Walker, Louise Nevelson, and Helen Frankenthaler are and were women artists who helped and still help to shatter that glass ceiling that women have been bumping their heads against, for ages. Read more on this wonderful groundbreaking show here.

In the true spirit of gratitude to the Alan Avery Company for including women in their 30th celebration and being an important part of the Atlanta Art Community during that thirty years, we say thank you.  We wish and hope that the WCAGA and the Alan Avery Company will work together in the future to build the future of Atlanta and Georgia’s Art Community. The road to a positive and open art world might be difficult but in the pioneering spirit of America we will continue to paint, collage, craft, sculpt and putting ourselves out there, to make a difference. Keep holding to that Passion.

Regards
Corlia

The Bookworm Artist - What happened to the collectors?

The November Book discussion was held in the studio of Vickie Martin. It was in this  pleasant and relaxed atmosphere that we discussed Joan Mitchell. We wondered why. Why was she one of the lucky ones to have made it in the art world. Was it her talent? Was it the fact that she could hold her liquor against any man? Was it her promiscuity? Her family money and history certainly played a role. Again we find the one female who is supposedly exceptional in a field of genius men.

With all these questions we talked about the Art in Atlanta and how hard it is to make an impression. In the news today is the story on the closing of two art galleries. How disappointing is it to hear Marilyn Kiang says that Atlanta is indifferent to Art. How many times does the visitors to an Art Opening consists of 80% of the Artists friends and family? Where are the collectors?

Another question that can be asked about Joan Mitchell is how her bond with her father influenced her life and work. Then look at your own relationship with your father and see what influence it has on your own work and life.

Our next Book Discussion will be held in January. Look out for the date. We decided to support one of our local Galleries, Alan Avery Art Company by making their next exhibit our next topic. We will look at Louise Nevelson, Helen Frankenthaler and Kara Walker. The Exhibition opens to the public Saturday, December 3 2011 and runs through Friday, February 10 2012.

Again any book, article online or other can be used for information and a visit to the Alan Avery Art Company Gallery is encouraged.

Regards


Corlia