Hebermehl x Dr. Z

Cool visuals by two of my favorite artists. 

Kellie Walker's "Bones"

Kellie is a Savannah-based painter with a thing for skeletons. Not cheesy/spooky halloween bones, but cow skulls and other large mammals. Her solo exhibition follows the Savannah Windows project at the Creative Coast space, and it's cool to see them fostering as much local art as they have small business enterprises over the years.

Sights of Savannah

Bob Jones is constantly carrying a camera and snapping photos around town. It doesn't matter if it's a stray cat or a rock show, if it catches his eye, he'll take a picture. He probably has documented more of the breadth of Savannah's many pieces than anyone else. Here are a few from a recent evening that caught my eye. 

You can follow his daily output here. 

Fresh Produce

I'm co-curating an art show during the Savannah Urban Arts Festival with Sean Fahie of Nine and Three Quarters. It'll feature a dozen artists from Atlanta, Savannah and Augusta - all of whom are ill with the art skills. The show opens April 17 with a reception from 4-6pm at Indigo Sky Gallery.

Buy Art/Support Artists

I'm re-emerging from several days immersed in the inaugural Savannah Stopover festival, which is why O.V. Wright has been at the top of the page for a few days (although he deserves it). The festival was an incredible success, and so full of amazing music that I can't even begin to break it all down here.

On a tangent, the conversation amongst artists in Savannah lately (visual artists in particular) hasn't been how to foster talent (because there is an incredibly diverse and talented group of folks already living and working here), but how to connect artists with buyers in the community. While the market for mass-produced wall-hangings geared towards tourists' impulse purchases remain fairly strong, there has yet to be a significant push to economically support local artists creating original work...maybe this is a theme common to arts communities beyond Savannah as well, but I can only speak on what I know.

A blog called ArtActive, which challenges collectors and appreciators of art to find and support new artists just posted this video, called Savangelists, which profiles 5 very different Savannah-based artists, all of whom are producing incredible work right now.



Shout out to Hebermehl for rocking a SUAF shirt in a picture on the blog. Matt Hebermehl and Troy Wandzel worked on mural together at Woody's Skate Park during last year's Savannah Urban Arts Festival. The 3rd Annual SUAF kicks off April 17, 2011.

 

Outlet Magazine's Music Issue

This upstart publication celebrating Savannah's creative side just released its third issue with a lovely party over at the Co-Lab. It's the music issue, so, in addition to having a magazine chock full of cool art, there was also a 30 track music compilation featuring an interesting selection of local bands, ranging from downtown regulars to bedroom musicians. The comp was accompanied by a lovely booklet (separate from the actual magazine), where each song was given to a local artist who interpreted it visually.

Here was a song I wasn't familiar with until I heard the mixtape. Now, I am enjoying it very much.
Aux Arc "High Noon"
 
For more info on the new issue of Outlet go here (you can download the pdf of the issue and the compilation booklet, but you need to get an actual copy of a download card in order to get the music comp)

Desoto Strut II

If you like art, music and maybe a glass of vino - then you need to swing by on Saturday and support some great local artists.

Hebermehl's Spring Doubts

Check out the new show from Matt Hebermehl, which opens Monday at 11Ten.