The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia has announced that it has received a $50,000 gift from the Antinori Foundation in support of the MOCA GA Archives Digitization and Dissemination Project.
Founded in 2000, the Buckhead visual art institution has steadily built a historical archive that now claims more than 150,000 items documenting artists, arts organizations, arts publications and more detailing the arts in Georgia.
Last year, the museum’s Education/Research Center was expanded to 12,000 square feet, creating a dedicated space for exhibitions of the permanent collection and increasing the space allocated for storage of the archives and permanent collection. Items such as sketchbooks, artist’s correspondence, exhibition publications and oral histories are made available for scholarly research.
The digitization and virtual publication of the museum’s resources is a necessary next step in keeping MOCA GA relevant and maximizing viewership of its acquisitions to include an international online audience, MOCA GA President and CEO Annette Cone-Skelton said.
“The MOCA GA Archives Digitization and Dissemination Project embraces the new needs of museum-goers, art lovers and historians from around the world,” Cone-Skelton said in the announcement.
The Antinori Foundation also provided $60,000 for the High Museum of Art to acquire the 100-plus works on paper by more than 75 Georgia artists that will comprise the exhibition "Sprawl! Drawing Outside the Lines," opening July 18. (Details: high.org.)
Meanwhile, MOCA GA is readying for its own exhibit by metro artists, "Portalism: new moves by the 2014/15 WonderRoot Walthall Fellows," opening July 16 with a 6:30 p.m. public reception featuring performances. Additional performances will take place on July 18 (along with workshops at a public symposium) and July 25.
The show will include photography, sculpture, video, drawing, installation, participatory performance and dance.
Launched in 2012 by Reynoldstown arts nonprofit WonderRoot, Walthall is a career development program for Atlanta visual and performance artists. The 2014-15 fellows are Steven L. Anderson, Molly Rose Freeman, Sean Hilton, Casey Lynch, Romy Aura Maloon, Masud Olufani, Erin Palovick, Stephanie Pharr, MaryGrace Phillips, Lucha Rodriguez and P. Seth Thompson.
Through Sept. 12. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. $8; $5, students and seniors ages 65 and up. 75 Bennett St., Suite A2. 404-367-8700, www.mocaga.org.
MUSIC
ASO expands role at UGA Performing Arts Center
The University of Georgia Performing Arts Center’s recently released 2015-16 schedule includes an increased presence for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
The ASO will make four appearances at the Athens facility, opening its 20th season on Sept. 20 with a performance of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony. Music director Robert Spano will conduct the concert, featuring the Hodgson Hall debut of the 200-voice Atlanta Symphony Chorus. An April 27, 2016 concert will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of ASO maestro Robert Shaw.
In its role as orchestra-in-residence, the ASO will offer educational programs for UGA students and area schoolchildren.
The Performing Arts Center also will expand its relationship with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, which will perform in Athens six times. Accomplished pianist Robert Spano will join the Chamber Music Society in a Feb. 11, 2016 program showcasing famous piano compositions.
Other highlights include the Knights chamber orchestra with violinist Gil Shaham (Feb. 21, 2016), Sir James Galway returning with his International Flute Festival (April 10, 2016) and the Hodgson Hall debut of singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash (April 16, 2016).
Subscriptions are available, with single tickets on sale Aug. 24: 1-888-289-8497, pac.uga.edu.
ARTS
Marcus Jewish Community Center announces season
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) has announced its 2015-16 Arts & Culture season lineup:
- Theater: "Mary Poppins," Aug. 6-16. Jerry's Habima Theatre presents "Shrek the Musical," Feb. 24-March 6, 2016.
- Comedy: Lenny Marcus, Sept. 12. Upright Citizens Brigade, March 13, 2016.
- Music: Joe Alterman, Oct. 11. Andy Statman, Jan. 10, 2016. Turtle Island String Quartet: "Birth of the Cool" (with Malcolm Parson of the Carolina Chocolate Drops), Jan. 24, 2016.
- Family theater: "Play the Play with Cat the Cat" (presented by Alliance Theatre for the Very Young), Oct. 25. "The Reluctant Dragon" (presented by Birmingham Children's Theater), Nov. 1. "The Music Man Jr." (presented by MJCCA Youth Ensemble), Dec. 13-14. "Bucket of Blessings" (presented by Alliance Theatre for the Very Young), Jan. 17, 2016. "Moon Mouse" (presented by Lightwire Theater), Jan. 31, 2016. "Fancy Nancy" (presented by Synchronicity Performance Group), March 20, 2016. "James and the Giant Peach" (presented by MJCCA Youth Ensemble), May 8-9, 2016.
- Visual arts: "Israel's Attic: Yesterday, Inspiring Tomorrow," vintage photographs, August. "Jewish Cuba — Then and Now," documentary exhibit featuring artworks, documents, photos, January 2016. "Bagels & Grits: Exploring Jewish Life in the Deep South," photos by Bill Aron, March 2016.
Most programs at 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. 678-812-4002, www.atlantajcc.org/boxoffice.
Cobb Energy Centre leader to retire
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre has announced that managing director Michael S. Taormina will retire at the end of the year, capping a four-decade-plus career in venue management.
Taormina came to Atlanta in 2006 to complete building construction, develop venue programming, hire staff and open the new $142 million facility.
He helped put the suburban facility on the map by making it the main performance home of the Atlanta Opera and Atlanta Ballet. Cobb Energy also has been active in arts education.
THEATER
Guterman picked as Express producer in residence
The National New Play Network recently selected Atlantan Clifton Guterman as one of five producers in residence at member companies for 2015-16. His NNPN-supported term will be at Actor’s Express.
Guterman is a performer, casting director, instructor and “theater administration devotee,” according to the Westside troupe. He has acted off-Broadway, at numerous regional and local theaters and in films, television shows and commercials. He also is an executive associate, casting director and artistic associate at Theatrical Outfit, where he will go from full-time to half-time while working half-time at Actor’s Express.
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