Sunday, October 18, 2009

Giving is the Best Revenge!

"Spontaneous Fan Club, L5P" Beth Lilly


Standing in the light drizzle and cold in the pre-Halloween Parade scene of Little 5 Points and giving Atlantans free art was an experience not to be forgotten. I didn't know what to expect. When Beth Lilly, the creator of "Gifted" approached me about this project I was a little baffled but intrigued by the idea. My mind said " Give away my work! That's crazy." but my heart said why not. Wasn't part of my "ART" (whatever that is) just to let others see what I see? A way to communicate something I have few words for? What better way to do this than to give the work to whomever would take it.

Lucky for me, I was curated into the "Gifted" project and got to put this feeling into action. The wonder on the children's faces as Beth and I gave them something mysterious was magic. A homeless man, Jonathan, happened by. He was missing his left eye and many of his teeth. I had to coax him to come closer. When I offered him a photo he said he wanted to send it to his Mother. He told me people often made fun of him because he had trouble speaking clearly with all of his front teeth missing.

We got mobbed about that time and Jonathan drifted away without choosing a photograph. A few minutes later, he came back and selected a beautiful, and peaceful image by Diane Kirkland to give to his Mother.

Suddenly it was no longer wet or cold. It was a beautiful thing.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Get Ready Atlanta - Free Art - Gifted Begins!!!














This week one of the largest ever giveaways of fine art photography begins. I'm very happy to be part of this unique project. Look for me and Beth Lilly at an unknown location on Oct 17th and for the other participants throughout the month. It's gonna be a blast!!!

(more info)


ACP 11 Public Art Presents "Gifted"

Beginning Oct 1 and continuing through the end of the month, be on the lookout for Atlanta Celebrates Photography's Public Art Project "Gifted". Organized by Atlanta-based photographer and artist Beth Lilly, "Gifted" will engage the public and transform Atlanta through the gift of 1,200 limited-edition, fine art photographs which will be randomly distributed during the month of October.

Lilly and her team will hand out the prints throughout the Atlanta metro region during ACP's 11th festival this October, in unexpected places, at unannounced times. The dates and locations for obtaining a free print will not be disclosed in advance, (but a little bird told us that you may want to follow ACP11 on twitter to find out when the "Gifted" team has been spotted).

Selected Collections & Commissions

Ameristar Casino, Vicksburg, MS
Bank of America, Atlanta, GA
Collectors Portfolio, Atlanta Photography Group, Atlanta, GA
Four Seasons Hotel, Midtown, Atlanta, GA
Fulton County Arts Council Collection
Gaylord National Harbor Resort Hotel, MD
Hilton Rye Town Hotel, Rye Brook, New York
Hyatt Hotel, Denver, CO
Hyatt Regency, Reston, Virginia (Washington, DC)
Intercontinental Hotel, Buckhead, Atlanta, GA
International Union of Operating Engineers, Washington, DC
JW Marriott, NY
Marriott, New Orleans, LA
Mr. Keith Rodbell, Atlanta, GA
Mr. Sam Maloof, Alta Lome, California
Ms. Margaret Wilken, San Francisco, CA
Realm, High-Rise-Condominium, Buckhead, Atlanta, GA
Sea Island Resort, Sea Island, GA
Sheraton, Gentleman’s Grille, Edison, NJ
St. Regis Hotel, Houston, TX
Suntrust, Atlanta, GA
Tennessee Bank and Trust, Nashville, TN
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Grande Lakes, Orlando, FL
The Westin Hotel, North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Union of Commercial Operators,Washington, DC
Westin Hotel, Alexandria, VA
Westin Hotel, Chicago, IL
Westin Hotel, National Harbor, MD
Westin Southfield, Detroit, MI
Wm. Mercer, Atlanta, GA