High Museum to launch Tyler Mitchell photography exhibit
Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, the largest visual art museum in the southeastern United States will launch a major exhibit “Tyler Mitchell: Idyllic Space” on June 21 in the Special Exhibition Galleries with a collection of photography and photo-sculptural artwork.
The exhibit will run June 21- Dec 1, 2024. It spotlights the work of Atlanta-born photographer Tyler Mitchll, who first rose to prominence when he photographed Beyoncé for the September 2018 issue of Vogue. Mitchell was the first Black artist to shoot the fashion magazine’s cover.
“Since achieving widespread recognition, Tyler Mitchell has continued to gain many deserved accolades for his beautiful and poignant photographs, which we are proud to present in his first exhibition in Atlanta,” High Director Rand Suffolk said.
The upcoming exhibition was organized by the photography and modern and contemporary art departments and inspired by the recently-acquired “The Hewitt Family” (2021.) The collection will “center Black self-determination and empowerment,” according to a museum press release through images of people enjoying leisure and recreation.
“Idyllic Space” will display more than 30 photographs covering themes like masculinity, motherhood, domesticity, play and the natural world as well as his fashion photography. Many of the images are inspired in part by Atlanta’s landscape. There will also be a video installation also called “Idyllic Space” (2019.)
There will also be a new photo-sculptural piece created for the exhibition featuring more than 20 Atlanta-area families that are part of Jack and Jill of America – an organization Mitchell grew up in.
“It’s a pure joy to present my work in collaboration with the brilliant curators Maria L. Kelly and Michael Rooks and at the High Museum of Art — the very museum I grew up going to as a child — whose exhibitions left a formative impact on me far before I recognized the possibility of becoming an artist,” Mitchell said in a statement. “I am proud to present this work for the people and the city that shaped me.”
— Delaney Tarr
Chattahoochee Nature Center hosts 25th annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell will host its 25th annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival from June 1 to 2.
The festival gives an up-close look at insects and teaches about their pollination power.
The grand opening of the Butterfly Encounter exhibit, a large greenhouse that features hundreds of butterflies fluttering around native plants that they eat, will happen during the festival and will last until Aug. 11.
The Alma Mexicana Atlanta dancers will feature Mexican folk dancing, and demonstrations on creating your pollinator garden will be fun for the whole family.
For more information, visit their website.
— Allison Joyner
EV charging stations installed across Clayton County Schools
Last week, Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) announced a partnership with EOS Linx, an electric vehicle charging network, to install charging stations throughout the school district.
Sixty-one charging sockets were installed across 12 deployment locations during the 2023-2024 school year, which embodies the school system’s “Building a Better Tomorrow, Today” theme.
“The placement of these electric vehicle charging stations at locations throughout the district will reap benefits beyond our expectations and is evidence of our commitment to serve as an economic development catalyst for the benefit of Clayton County,” said Dr. Anthony Smith, CCPS Superintendent/CEO of schools.
— Allison Joyner
Immigrant Heritage Month resource fair celebrates culture in Chamblee
The City of Chamblee will host its inaugural Immigrant Heritage Month Resource Fair on June 1 at Village Park next weekend.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the fair will unite and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that call Chamblee home with resources to support and empower residents and families.
The event is committed to fostering inclusivity, celebrating diversity and supporting immigrant communities during Immigrant Heritage Month.
Click here for more information.
— Allison Joyner
Hammonds House receives $25,000 grant from National Endowment for the Arts
On Monday, the Hammonds House Museum announced that it has been chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a $25,000 Grant for Arts Projects Award.
The grant will support their recently opened “Rhythm of Resilience: The Artistry of Sam Middleton” exhibit, which showcases Middleton’s artistic evolution with jazz and classical music in Harlem, NY.
Click here for more information.
— Allison Joyner
CAU receives federal funding from Ossoff to strengthen cybersecurity job training
On Tuesday, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) will partner with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff to improve the Cybersecurity Leadership Center for its students.
Ossoff said the funds will be used to increase the number of career opportunities in the field and boost opportunities for students of the historically Black university.
“I’ve appropriated funds to strengthen the Cybersecurity Leadership Center at CAU, helping students prepare for rewarding and good-paying careers,” Ossoff said.
According to labor market research, the demand for cybersecurity employees will increase over the years, with a projection of 11.8 percent.
“It is imperative that we prepare our students majoring in cybersecurity to enter the cyber workforce within the U.S. and to excel in this field,” said Dr. Olugbemiga Olatidoye, professor of the Dual Degree Engineering program at CAU.
— Allison Joyner
Atlanta Falcons players, cheerleaders help raise $250,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
Yesterday, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) announced that they raised over $250,000 with the help of Atlanta Falcons’ celebs during its annual Fashion Play event earlier this month.
This amount is a new fundraising record for the youth mentoring program.
Football players Grady Jarrett, Jessie Bates III, and Younghoe Koo, along with former NFL legends Harry Douglas, DJ Shockley, and Roddy White, Falcons cheerleaders, and the team’s mascot, Freddie Falcon, participated in the festivities and walked down the catwalk alongside Bigs and Littles from the nonprofit.
“Each year, this event surpasses our expectations. The funds raised are vital for our mentoring programs, enabling us to reach and support even more youth and families across metro Atlanta,” said Kwame Johnson, President of BBBSMA.
Click here to see the event’s photo gallery.
— Allison Joyner
Olansky Dermatology and Aesthetics takes part in complimentary skin cancer screenings
Olansky Dermatology and Aesthetics will be participating in free skin cancer screenings taking place at 8:30 a.m. to Noon June 1 at Peachtree Road Farmers Market. This is a rescheduled rain date for an event that was originally scheduled in late May to commemorate Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
“Detecting skin cancer at its early stages through screenings is crucial as it provides an opportunity for prompt treatment when it’s most effective,” says Dr. Jodi Ganz of Olansky Dermatology and Aesthetics. “Participating in an event like this allows us to connect with our community in new and meaningful ways. It also allows us to better understand the health needs of our community.”
These exams take place outdoors in open air, allowing physicians to screen any easily visible parts of a patient. Doctors will check the hot spots where skin cancer is likely to form, which is typically around the neck, arms, hands, and face. Each patient will get a write-up of their examination. If anything serious is detected, doctors will make additional personalized recommendations and referrals. This event provides a convenient opportunity for vendors and patrons to receive skin exams by a board-certified dermatologist for free and without proof of insurance.
— Derek Prall
Kids Video Connection presents 17th Annual Atlanta Children’s Film Festival
Kids Video Connection will present the 17th annual Atlanta Children’s Film Festival (ACFF) from June 7 to 23. The ACFF features two and a half weeks of eye-opening and exciting activities, including film screenings and workshops for children, teens, and industry professionals.
Showcasing films produced by youth and adult independent filmmakers from around the world, the festival promotes positive, educational, and entertaining children and family-oriented independent programs.
“The ACFF programming aims to expand children’s imaginations, teach media literacy, guide youth in creating their own positive media content, and introduce youth to careers in film and media,” said Alesia Johnson, ACFF director. “I’m excited that our simple idea to show positive films that would encourage and inspire youth has grown over the years.”
As the film industry continues to grow in Georgia, educational opportunities like this festival are key to training the next generation of filmmakers. Click here for more information about the festival.
— Derek Prall
Miami’s Museum of Graffiti to visit Atlanta
The Miami-based Museum of Graffiti recently announced its latest traveling exhibition, “Sneaker Stories” will come to Atlanta’s Ponce City Market on May 31 to June 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. This free experience will explore the historical ties and evolving relationship between graffiti art and sneaker culture through informative displays featuring rare sneakers and their corresponding art inspiration.
“Through ‘Sneaker Stories,’ we aim to celebrate the artists from the global graffiti art movement who have transitioned from the streets to appear inside the biggest companies in America, like Nike, Reebok and Adidas, and influenced countless others along the way,” said Alan Ket, co-founder of the Museum of Graffiti.
A contemporary art museum, Museum of Graffiti exhibits, educates and celebrates the thousands of graffiti artists who have transformed walls in public spaces into vibrant masterpieces. With the “Sneaker Stories” pop-up, the Museum of Graffiti will bring its unorthodox approach to urban art education to Atlanta.
— Derek Prall
The Summer Reading program begins on June 1 at DeKalb County Public Library
DeKalb County Public Library (DCPL) announced the start of the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge, “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” Through the end of July, DCPL’s 23 branches will host more than 500 free programs to encourage everyone to read and explore the library’s many offerings. The Summer Reading Challenge begins on June 1 and runs through July 31.
“While the Summer Reading Challenge is for everyone, keeping young people reading and learning during their summer vacation is especially important,” said Alison Weissinger, director of DeKalb County Public Library. “Research indicates that students can lose about two months of reading achievement during the summer. That’s why the Summer Reading Challenge provides incentives to help youth retain their reading skills in a fun, exciting way.”
Children, teens and adults can preregister now using Beanstack, the library’s online reading challenge tracking platform and mobile app, at dekalblibrary.beanstack.org. Adults also have the option of using a paper bingo card to track their progress. The cards will be available for pickup at all branches.
— Derek Prall
Pet Paradise opens fifth resort in Atlanta
Pet Paradise welcomed Atlanta-area dogs and cats to experience its facilities and complete pet care approach at its fifth location in metro Atlanta, which opened on May 16th at 1867 Azalea Drive in Lawrenceville.
Conveniently located under one roof, Pet Paradise offers a premium boarding and day camp experience, grooming, and dog training for pets of all energy levels and ages.
“We are excited to open Pet Paradise Lawrenceville and continue to expand our presence and serve pet parents in metro Atlanta,” said Kevin English, Pet Paradise COO and SVP of Finance. “Our experienced and compassionate team looks forward to providing quality care to pets and pet owners in the Lawrenceville community.”
The new resort spans more than 15,000 square feet, featuring over 170 air-conditioned suites including indoor, indoor-outdoor and VIP suites with a TV, soft bedding and an exclusive webcam for pet parent access.
During play time, pets enjoy plenty of social interaction and physical activity with amenities such as spacious indoor and outdoor play yards, an outdoor bone-shaped swimming pool, shaded areas with misting stations, and a specially designed Tiny Town for dogs under 25 pounds.
To learn more, click here.
— Derek Prall
