Vindauga

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[this was written for the Jackson Free Press, but I'm posting it here just in case]

Saturday May sixth is the “Milsaps Avenue Arts District Exhibition.” The public is invited to view exhibitions of local artists and view some working studios in the district. The participating studios are Pearl River Glass Studio, Studio 2, Seven Studioz, and R. Potter Designs. This event will serve as Pearl River’s annual spring Garden Show, and with the support of Andrew Young from Pearl River, other local artists have turned it into a neighborhood festival by coordinating their shows and music to bring in a diverse crowd of Jackson residents. All of the studios, except Seven Studioz, will open at noon and provide entertainment and refreshments until 6p.m. Seven Studioz will open at 3p.m. and continue the event well into the evening.

Andrew Young, the owner of Pearl River Glass Studio has been in the Millsaps Art District, since before it was an arts district. He moved to Millsaps Avenue in 1976, and has been having regular “Open Studio” tours since 1978. He says, this is the first neighborhood show Millsaps has had in about 10 years. He credits this to the infusion of “new blood” into the neighborhood. When asked about the negative view many Jackson residents have of the area, he just chalks it up to having the wrong perspective. “If you are in Midtown looking out everything is fine” Andy says, and he goes on to explain about recent community development, work by Habitat in the area, after school program, and overall revitalization in the area.

Pearl River is going to feature a Yard Art theme in their courtyard for the Garden Show, as well as the work of many local artists. In addition to the artists who are employed by Pearl River, there will also be work by Elen Langford, K.C. Williams, Harry Day, Wendy Eddleman, and Daphne Nabors.

One of the driving forces behind making this into a neighborhood event is Elli Williams of Studio 2. Studio 2 is both the residence and art studio for Elli and her husband Joseph Williams. They have managed to incorporate a space for Joseph’s pottery, Elli’s darkroom, her painting studio and their living space into one wonderful area where artwork will be on display during the “Arts District Exhibition”. Although this studio sounds like a full-time job, they are both very active in their day jobs; Elli is the chef at High Noon Café and Joseph works for Pearl River (conveniently located across the street). Elli has been recently working on printing a series of color photographs from some of her extensive world travels, and Joseph is amassing a substantial body of pottery work (this is in addition to his recently completed first novel and a “burgeoning second”). Although Joseph only began working in ceramics a year ago, there is wonderful design in his pieces. While talking to Joseph it is obvious how excited he is about showing his ceramics work, and how hopeful he is that “it will excite other people too.” In addition to their art, there will also be a wide variety of wonderful artwork on display in their studio, from artists such as Scott Jarret, Daniel Johnson, and James Galpin. Gretchen Haien, who also has a studio in the same building, will be exhibiting some of her work in Studio 2, including the series that won the 2005 Mississippi Arts and Letters, “Interior Frontiers.”

A few doors down and up the stairs R. Potter Designs will be displaying paintings and mixed media pieces by owner and local artist Rebekah Potter. Naturally, a large selection of her popular “bloks” will be on display as well as some intriguing new paintings. The new paintings initially look like a departure from the style she has established, but once you take a closer look, the natural progression seems obvious. She easily evokes a markedly feminist subtext through her use of textiles with prominent stitching. Although she primarily uses monochromatic fabrics, Rebekah is able to create a feeling of depth by utilizing her well-honed collage skills and eye for design.

Ezra Brown, the proprietor of Seven Studioz describes his studio as an umbrella company which is “exposing what we do on a weekly basis.” This statement is a great way to imply how much is going on at Seven Studioz every weekend, but on may 6^th there will be even more to see and hear than normal. There will be graphic art, digital projections, spoken word, music, d.j.s, and even some graffiti artists working outside. Ezra hopes this Art Opening will “encourage art and [the] purchase of art.” He is disappointed by how many local artists have to sell their work out of state to make a living. Millsaps has the only arts district in the city and Ezra would clearly like to see it regain some of its prominence and even become a viable retail area for local art and artists.

Ezra’s hopes are echoed by all of the participating artists. Many of those participating feel the Millsaps art district is a great resource for local artists; the affordable space and proximity to other creative endeavors are ingredients for an area on the verge of rebounding back into a profitable artist studio and retail area.