Pop Hop Artist Showcase: Bonnie Blue
For our first showcase, we have the amazing Bonnie Blue!
We asked her a few questions that you can see below. For more information, you can go to her website as well.
1. What inspires you?
I inspire myself. I dream art. I create in my dreams. And seeing other artists work inspires me.
2. Do you have any interesting or funny stories you'd like to share?
The bra babes I sent came about because one year for the Houston artcar parade , my artcar the women rock artcar : honored Breast cancer survivors. I had 12 survivors ride with me in the parade all the survivors wore a bra babe in the parade
3. How did you start creating art?
I have always done art. Even as a child. I have made a living as an artist for 40 year.
Come to Southside Maker Arts Center on September 12th to get some of Bonnie's work for yourself!
Pop Hop Artist Showcase: Barry Snyder
Next up on our Pop Hop Artist Showcase is Barry Snyder!
2. Who is your favorite artist and why?
Walter Elias Disney, because I always loved his work, and I made a 40 year art career out of working with and developing his parks, rides, shows, and theater productions all over the world.
3. Do you have any interesting or funny stories you'd like to share?
We used to hide things in rides, and murals around Disney Parks, some subliminal, and some pretty explicit.. you just needed to locate them. I had to become an artist... I love doing comedy.. I tried education as a career (still do some now), but taking a gig teaching speed reading at the Catholic School, and telling the students they "better read faster or go straight to hell, didn't work out for me".
Like Bonnie, we asked Barry a few questions about himself and his work. For more information you can visit his facebook page.
1. How did you start creating art?
How? Not in the womb,.... but right after that.. I got into trouble in school for not paying attention (it was boring) and for sculpting or drawing pictures, and making things.I was the class clown, I didn't want an education and didn't mind helping others lose theirs out of laughter. Later, I'd do stand up comedy for extra cash. Being an artist is not ever enriching except with in the soul.
4. What is your favorite tool you use to create your art?
My favorite tool is my imagination, and other than that..... reclaimed objects....give me anything, and I will make something beautiful out of it.
5. What inspires you?
Life and real love inspires me, and it comes from strange places...other artists, homelessness, aging, just watching people..people in general are a magnitude of information, their actions, expressions, and OH!!! their beauty.....all of them each possess something special, and a story is there to tell...I am a photographer as well, and love to "hide behind the camera"....you may find 1000 pictures of others, or places, and only 1 of me in my vast collection. The best love of my life is so beautiful, and she does not like to be photographed, or painted...maybe sculpted. I love HER, PEOPLE, and God's other wonderful creations.
Thanks so much Barry! Come see his amazing work and claim one for yourself on Sep. 12 at Art 120's Southside Maker Arts Center!
Pop Hop Artist Showcase: Hannah Hahn
Next up on our Pop Hop Artist Showcase is the vibrant artist Hannah Hahn!
Made in America by Hannah Hahn
Here's some more about Hannah in her own words:
My name is Hannah Hahn, and I’m a student almost finished with an art education and history degree over at UTC, with a passion for paint and what it can do. I come from a family of engineers, and I sense my methodical and conceptual thinking has had to become different from what I grew up being taught.
To an extent, I was allowed expression. This is especially so being in a city like I am in now. Chattanooga has been a place of growth for me, and I hope my art can show that somehow. I have merged and thrown away old and new thoughts as they come and go, displacing myself with every step I take and every piece of art I make, to a new place of self-recognition. In other words, I evolve constantly and optimistically, so does my work.
I hope that it can bring joy to people that they did not previously have.
1. How did you start creating art?
I started creating art when I was a child, but started delving into the fine arts when I hit my teen years. I’ve always been lucky enough to be able to have lessons from various instructors almost every summer and in school until I came to college, when the real work began.
2. Who is your favorite artist and why?
This may seem strange because of our name similarities, but my favorite artist is Hannah Höch, a German Dadaist. She is one of the originators of photomontage and collage, as well as retaining the active reputation of placing female artists in the professional exhibition rink. She was not shy in pushing political pieces and ideas that people didn’t necessarily share in everyday conversation. Her agenda was to penetrate the political realm through art and an inspiration initiative, which I think she achieved.
Lupi by Hannah Hahn
3. Do you have any interesting or funny stories you'd like to share?
I would say that something kind of funny is that I cried when I saw Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling in person for the first time. I didn’t bawl or anything but a few tears were shed. Oh, and his David sculpture. I would say that’s relevant because as an artist, I know I can appreciate art, but if as an artist, I could evoke emotions like that in someone else, I would consider that a job well done.
4. What is your favorite tool you use to create your art?
My hands. I don’t mean that to sound cheeky but to me the feeling of the paint on my skin and having the stuff under my fingernails is exciting. I’m not just talking about finger painting but mixed media manipulation. If I can manipulate the media into what I want with my hands instead of just a brush or palette knife, there is nothing better. There is something truly organically beautiful about making art with your body and extremities versus through extra tools, despite the beauty that comes from both, apart or together.
5. What inspires you?
I am inspired by people and their actions, as well as my own, whether those actions be in the past, present, or future. I like to think about human nature, both the evils and good that resides within us, and how to make art that would appeal to our best parts. I don’t mean that my art has to be effervescently happy or bright, but that it invokes some thought in the viewer about their role in society, whatever that may be, and how to better it.
Thanks so much Hannah! Come get one of her vivid and colorful works for yourself on September 12th at Art 120's Southside Maker Arts Space
Join us for Gallery Hop!
Calling all artists!
Art 120 is hosting a pop-up Gallery in their new Southside Maker Arts Center (SMAC) during Gallery Hop on September 12 from 2-8pm.
2015-09-12 14:00:00 2015-09-12 20:00:00 America/New_York Gallery Hop Gallery Hop 1511 Williams St. Chattanooga, TN Art 120 admin@art120.org Add to Calendar
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of art will go back to Art 120 programs with the rest going right back where it belongs- the artists, of course. If you are interested in supporting a worthy cause while getting your fair share, please apply online today by going to art120.org/pop-hop
Help Us Win One For the Community!
VOTE FOR ART 120 NOW THROUGH AUGUST 24TH!
Help us win the #GreaterRace2015 Wild Card entry which includes a shot @ $18,000.
That's 3,600 kids we can serve and one great public art event for the city! All it takes is one click per day per device, no forms to fill out. So what are you waiting for, vote now!
Chattanooga, Start Your Art Cars!
The Scenic City Art Car Weekend will be rolling into town May 8th & 9th. Registration is now open! Some of you out there may already have an amazing car, lowrider, or cool wheeled contraption. Or, you have an idea and are ready to give it a shot. Registration is open until April 24th. If you do not have an image yet, you can submit a sketch of your idea and debut it to the public on May 9th. Individuals, schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations can click here to apply! Schools can still register for the Art-Car-A-Van May 8th. Click here to enroll your school today!
Announcing: Southside Maker Art Center (SMAC)!
For four years, Art 120 has brought creativity and imagination to urban youth from Avondale to Alton Park. Our flagship Maker program, the Urban Art Bike program, has provided STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathmatics) Workshops for forty-two kids and created eighteen art bikes in all.
Today, we are proud to announce our new space, the Southside Maker Art Center (aka SMAC). SMAC is being built from the ground up as a cooperative creative space for the community, by the community. We want to include as many tools and supplies as our creative neighborhood desires, This is where YOU come in. We need your input to make sure this space is awesome! We'll have more details on SMAC as our plans continue, but for now we would greatly appreciate your input by clicking below and taking a quick survey about what you'd like to see in your space.
We greatly appreciate everyone's feedback and enthusiastically look forward to unveiling this space for the creative mind in all of us!
Urban Art Bikes On A Roll This Summer!
One of the most creative summer programs continues, Art 120 is thrilled to announce the 2015 Urban Art Bike Camp in July! For four years and teaching a total of 42 kids, it's exciting to bring another batch of kids into the fold, having them weld their overflowing imaginations into reality.
Click here and fill out the application form for the Teacher Training Class
Click here and Sign Up today for the Summer Art Bike Camp!
Teacher Training Class
Located inside Art 120's workshop, just off Main and Broad at 1511 Williams Street, Art 120 will be holding a special teacher training class beginning July 6th. The 7 day course runs Friday-Saturday and Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm with an 1 hour break for lunch. Teachers will learn how to instruct a team through Art 120’s STEAM-based program using a variety of tools and techniques, including welding. To really provide a hands-on experience, teachers will work in teams to build an art bike of their own design just like our students.
The cost for the class is $400 and includes all gear, supplies, and materials. Adults from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. If participants satisfy the requirements of the course and can commit to teaching, they will be eligible to receive a teaching stipend to offset their tuition depending on commitment and availability. Each teacher will be assigned a team of four youth and an assistant for the student program. There are only twelve slots available on a first come, first serve basis, so please register ASAP!
To sign up, please click here and fill out the application form for the Teacher Training Class!
Summer Art Bike Camp
Concluding the teacher training class, the student Summer Art Bike Camp will begin! Students ages 11 -15 will work in teams to complete several art bike contraptions, learning about the art of sculpture, design, fabrication, engineering, problem solving, and introduction to welding. Students will also have the opportunity to participate with their created bikes in several public events throughout the year and share their creations with the community.
The class will be from July 13th through the 24th, Monday to Friday, from 8AM to Noon. For those who apply by June 19th, the camp cost $400 per student. After June 19th, the price will be $500. This special, fee-based program not only teaches welding and engineering concepts, but also helps us provide more opportunities for underserved youth in the community.
Click here and Sign Up today for the Summer Art Bike Camp!
Thanks Again Chattanooga! Art Cars Love You!
Wow! What an amazing Art Car Weekend in Chattanooga! Once again local businesses, the city, and individuals stepped up to help us put on the best show yet while reaching just over 2,500 children in Hamilton County without an art program. Once all the data is collected for the entire weekend, we will share in next week's post. Until then, here are some wonderful photos before the ball. The Art Car Fire Ball was so amazing, we will have to post that separately next week.
ART CAR WELCOME PARTY HOSTED BY CHATTANOOGA MAKER MEETUP
ART-CAR-A-VAN
ART CAR TAILGATE PARTY
THE PRE LAUNCH AND AWARD CEREMONY
Sponsor a Child for the Art-Car-A-Van May 8th
Keep the Art-Car-A-Van Rolling!
There are 32 elementary schools in Hamilton County that do not have an art program. For less than a Mocha Latte, you can help reach, teach, & inspire them.
These children will:
Meet two artists with different art styles/mediums.
Have a chance to touch the art, peer in the windows, see the ornamentation/lights, and in some cases, hear the sounds.
Learn that their ideas are powerful like how they can turn an ambulance into a giant red wagon or a bike into a winged dragon!
Get to to be curious, ask questions, and share thoughts.
Have fun!
Sponsor a Child and Join the Party!
While the artists are here, Art 120 will hold a tailgate party and parade for everyone! Come see these amazing creations up close, vote for your favorite school entry, and celebrate what you helped us accomplish. This whole weekend of Awareness, Reaching, and Teaching (A.R.T.) costs only $5 per child. Donate now at causeway.org/causes/art-car-a-van