Fwd: Media Advisory: WonderRoot Launches Walthall Artist Fellowship Program
Teague Buchanan
From: "Chris Appleton" <ch...@wonderroot.org>
Date: May 3, 2012 1:41 PM
Subject: Media Advisory: WonderRoot Launches Walthall Artist Fellowship Program
To: "Chris Appleton" <ch...@wonderroot.org>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chris
Appleton, Executive Director WonderRoot Maggie
Ginestra, Creative Director WonderRoot
WonderRoot Launches Signature Artist Development Program, The Walthall Artist Fellowship to Support Artists at Pivotal Stages in their Careers
May 3, 2012, Atlanta, GA – Continuing its commitment to artist development, WonderRoot is proud to announce The Walthall Artist Fellowship, a one-year professional development program for 12 Atlanta-area artists in an effort to forever impact artists’ careers by providing them vital resources and support to significantly advance and strengthen their professional and creative practices. The application period is now open. Please see application details below.
Building on a model of learning and exchange which connects artists to mentors, peer artists, and leaders in the field, The Walthall Artist Fellowship is comprised of five components: a monthly symposium, peer learning and roundtable discussions, one-t0-one artist mentorship, a five-day residency at Ossabaw Island and a group exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia.
“Responding to an increased desire from artists for career development opportunities, this program has been more than a year in the making. It is our hope that the Walthall Artist Fellowship will propel artists into a full-time professional practice,” states Executive Director, Chris Appleton. “Atlanta’s artists and arts professionals have really come to the table in support of helping Atlanta artists make a sustainable living in Atlanta.”
During the first 8 months of the program, participating fellows will attend eight separate workshops covering an array of topics. Led by Atlanta’s most respected professionals in their fields, these discussions will cover the following subjects a) working with galleries, museums, and presenting agencies b) business planning and financial management c) marketing and social media d) working with critics and the press e) housing and studio space f) working in the public realm and activism g) intellectual property and contracts h) advocacy and making a living and i) developing a portfolio and working beyond Atlanta. Participating facilitators and service providers include Michael Rooks (High Museum of Art), Cathy Fox (ArtsATL), Stuart Horodner, (Atlanta Contemporary Art Center), Danielle Roney, Alex Brewer, Lauri Stallings (gloATL), Lara Smith (Actors Express), Gyun Hur and many more.
In addition to interactive training with arts professionals, Fellows will engage in peer-teaching with one another, as well as be mentored by artists at latter stages in their careers. Mentors will be selected and paired with artists based on compatibility and opportunity.
Maggie Ginestra, WonderRoot’s new Creative Director says “Walthall will seek to strike a balance between professional and creative development while highlighting the interactivity of the two. The monthly symposia with arts leaders regarding issues from grant writing to community engagement will consider impact upon the artists’ practices toward an integrated advancement, professionally and artistically. And the time the 12 Fellows spend together gaining tools and resources to advance professionally will inevitably inform the collaborative strands of their culminating group exhibition.”
WonderRoot celebrates time away from artists’ usual environment and practice, and in order to create a space for both reflection and creativity, Fellows will take part in a group residency on Ossabaw Island following the eight months of symposia. This residency will be fully funded by WonderRoot, and artists will spend five days and nights together on this barrier island. A special thanks by the Ossabaw Island Foundation for making this possible.
The program will culminate in a group exhibition in summer 2013 at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia featuring new work of all twelve Fellows. The show will be curated by Maggie Ginestra and will feature visual and performance work as the Fellowship will include artists of various disciplines.
In order to apply, artists should visit: www.wonderroot.org/programs/professional-development/walthall-artist-fellowship. The application deadline is June 5, 2012 at 11:59pm.
The application is open to the public and free. Applicants will be required to submit a short bio, samples of their work, and answer questions about their practice and professional careers.
WonderRoot is seeking artists who are at pivotal points in their careers. Selected Fellows will exhibit a serious dedication to their professional development, must be actively pursuing learning and exhibition opportunities, and will reflect the multiplicity of practices, backgrounds and experiences in Atlanta’s creative community.
Resources:
WonderRoot: www.wonderroot.org
Walthall Artist Fellowship:http://www.wonderroot.org/programs/professional-development/walthall-artist-fellowship/
Application: https://wonderroot.wufoo.com/forms/walthall-artist-fellowship/
Contact for interested applicants: Maggie Ginestra, Mag...@wonderroot.org, 850-294-9934
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WonderRoot is an Atlanta-based nonprofit arts organization committed to uniting artists and community to inspire positive social change.
 | Chris Appleton Executive Director 404.254.5955 (office) 404.376.3280 (mobile) www.wonderroot.org |
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