Exposing Local Artists… By Georgia Griffin Fly into Spring! Canvas The mediums. Other services included are commissioned works for murals on canvas or ceramic tiles and family or individual portrait paintings. Atelier International - Art Gallery & Café 528 Gordon St Corpus Christi, TX 78404 www.aiartgallery.com [email protected] 956-605-1221 Hours: 12-6p Monday thru Thursday, and 12-2p Friday & Saturday Atelier International’s very first exhibit at their new location actually features yours truly, local artist and art columnist! My artwork will be on exhibit throughout the month of March. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Normally I profile other artists, but long before I became the author of this column I was actually an interviewee, in the October 2009 profile written by the ever delightful Aletha Eyerman-Craft, author and gluten-free guru at Tango Tea Room. In case you missed that interview, I wanted to give you an idea of my work and what to expect in Atelier International’s inaugural exhibit, so I’ve written up a little background information… As I Take Wing: Georgia Griffin, A Solo Show I am a self-taught artist currently living in the Coastal Bend of South Texas. The central core of my work has related to the many issues that impact women. These issues course through the trials of girlhood, motherhood and care giving, touching on illness and loss/mourning, through concern for the environment and its creatures, to historical and political gender issues. In all my work I hope to bring not only some expression to my own views and experiences, even if only in some subtle fashion, but to also open people’s minds to reflect and touch upon those topics within their own lives, perhaps in new ways. Concepts and themes come to me from all directions: a chance phrase, a news story, a memory, a photograph of a friend, a bird flying overhead, a commission request… thus my brain is my favorite tool – it makes everything possible. Since taking up the mantle of ‘artist’ several years ago I have been invited to participate in an annual breast cancer fund raiser wherein “bird houses” decorated or created by artists and others are auctioned off to benefit a medical facility that has helped thousands of women. I’ve created both literal and conceptual works on the theme, and I happen to think they’re some of my very best work. S S pring is a time for new beginnings! Atelier International Art Gallery & Café is putting action to those words. Co-Owner & Curator, Rey Santiago, shared an apt quote by Dietrich Fischer- Dieskau: “With creative people, truly new horizons open up.” “Yes,” says Rey, “we are expanding our horizons. In the beginning of 2013 we are working in partnering with a café, and will be operating as separate businesses under one roof to offer the local community an atmosphere of international and local art, as well as food. The gallery's future location will cater to a community based family oriented area in the heart of a developing cultural setting in Corpus Christi.” “During 2012 we had discussed the possibility of applying strategies that would encourage people to appreciate artworks, who otherwise would not have the time to view art in a traditional gallery setting. The welcoming view of the new location with plenty of parking spaces is also an attribute that will render our services more accessible to guests and art enthusiasts.” The works exhibited in the gallery and the café area will continue to include international artists as well as local artists. The adjacent Atelier (or studio) will house the AI Frameshop and a general workshop area for art classes given by resident artists Elizabeth Figueroa, Amarilis Rodríguez, and Reynaldo Santiago. Initially, the possible courses to be offered in 2013 include: Acrylic Painting, Painting with Phosphorescent Paints, Watercolor, Portrait Painting, Nature by the Sea Drawing & Painting Techniques, Printmaking (Relief, Lithography, Collagraphy, Intaglio, Serigraphy, Mixtography), All Level Drawing, Digital Photography, and Paper Making, among other traditional and contemporary 22