Avondale ArtsParty Heralds AutumnFest

The winning poster design to promote Avondale Estates’ upcoming AutumnFest will be unveiled Sept. 21 at The Little Wine Shop.

The inaugural ArtsParty, held that day from 6 to 8 p.m., will feature wine tasting, food, music and art, all to benefit the . The alliance , sponsors AutumnFest, an annual event that will be held Oct. 15-16 this year.

Guests at the ArtsParty will meet the winning poster artist and get a free, signed copy.

Wine tastings of limited edition, Arts Alliance signature wines with custom-designed labels will be available exclusively at The Little Wine Shop and available for purchase throughout the holiday season. The event is free and optional an wine tasting is $10 per person.

“Avondale has always been a great place for the arts,” said Jen Singh, Arts Alliance president. “This is the ninth year of the festival. It’s evolved over time from a small, folk-like festival into a full-scale fine arts event. We thought it made perfect sense for us to tap into local artists to design a poster to promote the October event.

“So, we made the call for entries and were very pleased with the response, although it was really hard for the board to decide,” Singh said.

The winning entry is by Charles Scogins, who has a studio in South Atlanta. Portraits are his passion and he prefers to paint alla prima, a technique done mostly in oils where wet paint is applied over wet paint allowing the work to be finished in hours instead of weeks.

He has participated in Avondale arts events for years. 

“The city has always been supportive of the arts,” he said. “I want to get behind that in any way I can.”

The first runner up is Bart Webb, a self-taught artist who lives and works in Avondale and is the founder of the popular Art-B-Que, an annual summer art and music festival in the city. His specialty is metal sculpture, but he also enjoys working in mixed media. Bart feels nothing is safe from being changed into art.

The second runner up is Sarah Hatch who lives and works in Scottdale. She is a self-taught painter who teaches at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and has her work in several galleries in the Atlanta area. According to her blog she loves to write, view, talk, and teach art.

AutumnFest is Oct. 15-16. The city will teem with live music, artists from all over the Southeast and include exhibits such as a reptile zoo featuring alligators and cobras. Admission is free.

Art Shots

“Lakebottom Proper,”  through Oct. 1. Presented by the Process Theatre Company the comedy, written by Topher Payne and directed by Dewayne Morgan, the play explores class and social issues. OnStage Atlanta, 2597 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30033. Call 404-897-1802.

, Sept. 22 and 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. Historic Scottish Rite Courtyard. Bring your blankets, but please leave the chairs at home. Children are welcome.

“Divided Among Themselves,” Sept. 22- Oct. 16, Academy Theatre. When Mr. Marcus dies, his four daughters must reunite to divide his estates. The new play by Hank Kimmel explores family dynamics in the 21st century. 

SkaterAid, Sept. 25, 2-7pm at East Decatur Station. Skateboarding, skate contests, art auction, live music. Funds will go to support Brain Tumor Foundation for Children. 109 New Street, Decatur, GA  30030.

Concerts on Square, Cindy Lou Harrington Band a/k/a “Showdown,” Sept. 24, 7 to 9 p.m. and Conundrums, Sept. 28 from noon, to 1 p.m. Community Bandstand on the Square in Decatur.

Concert with Jimmy Hubbard, Oct. 2, from 4 to 5 p.m. with composer, songwriter and pianist and his combo for an afternoon of jazz at the Decatur Branch of the DeKalb County Library. All ages are invited.  

14th Annual Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 7
p.m. at the center of the Oakhurst community in Harmony Park.  Events include The 5K Arts Run/Walk, local
artists, live music, children’s activities, a parade, food and beverages.