Empty Bowl luncheon

The Empty Bowl Luncheon, hosted by the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is this Wednesday at noon. The benefit is held to raise awareness of hunger on a local and national level. Tickets include soup, a sandwich and a bowl handcrafted by Good Dirt potters.

There will also be an auction at the Empty Bowl Luncheon featuring 11 pieces from Good Dirt. The Food Bank is asking for local artists to donate bowls in any media, from ceramic to paintings of bowls, for the auction. All submissions should be themed around the Empty Bowl Concept. Good Dirt will also have donated bowls available for purchase at the luncheon for $15.

The luncheon will take place at the Classic Center. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., lunch starts at noon. Call the Food Bank at 706.354.8191 for more information.

Athens Art Events: February 11–14

There are six great art events jam-packed in the next few days, so don’t miss out! In fact, half of them are this evening. If you’re still trying to plan something for your Valentine, one of these events might be perfect.

Golden Acrylic Mediums Demonstration

Tonight (February 11), 6–8 p.m.

Loft Art Supply, 1035 Baxter St.

This free lecture and demo with artist Phil Garrett will show new surfaces for painting and collage created with Golden Acrylic Paints and Mediums. Mixed-media (including drawing, painting and digital) applications and layering effects will also be covered. Attendees will receive coupons and free samples. The demo is free but registration is required. Call 706.548.5334 to register.

Twilight Toasts in the Garden

Tonight, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Visitor Center and Conservatory, State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Sponsored by the Friends of the Garden, this quarterly event combines a wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live music and an art exhibition. The wine selection will be from Five Points Bottle Shop and the food from Trumps Catering. Ernest “Bubba” Beasley and Jason Royer will be playing jazz on bass and guitar. $25 for non-members ($20 members). Call 706.542.6014 for more information.

Opening reception for "SUZANI: Uzbek Treasures in Thread" 

Tonight, 7–9 p.m. (Gallery talk at 8 p.m.)

Gallery 101, Lamar Dodd School of Art

Suzani means “needle” in Farsi and refers to embroidered work used as wall hangings, canopies or covers (photo below). Suzani are an important part of a bride’s dowry in Uzbekistan. Their design was often inspired by floral forms in urban gardens as well as spiritual symbols and motifs. The exhibition at Lamar Dodd will include selected embroideries from the Charlene Page Kaufman Memorial Textile Collection along with student work from the fabric design program inspired by Suzani. The exhibition will be on display through March 4.

Good Dirt Opening Reception

Tomorrow, February 12, 5–7 p.m.

Good Dirt, 510 N. Thomas St.

Good Dirt has an annual tradition of producing 500 soup bowls for the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the Empty Bowls luncheon (which will be held on March 17). The Gallery @ Good Dirt will be unveiling some “high-end pots” that will be auctioned at the Food Bank’s silent auction on the day of the Empty Bowls event. Call 706.355.3161 for more information.

Family Day: Pop-up Valentines

Saturday, February 13, 10 a.m.–noon

Lyndon House Arts Center, 293 Hoyt St.

Join GMOA for a Valentine’s Day celebration. Use the works of art you see in the galleries to inspire your own pop-up Valentines. Heart-shaped treats will be provided. Co-sponsored by the Lyndon House Arts Center. Call 706.542.GMOA (4662) for more information.

 

The Daily Groceries Co-op Art Sign Installation

Sunday, February 14

The Daily Groceries, 523 Prince Ave.

The Daily Groceries Co-op offers local, nutritious, organic and fair-trade foods and adheres to cooperative principles. On Sunday, local artist Krysia Haag will present the Daily Groceries with its new sign—a tile mosaic of produce. Call 706.548.1732 for more information.

Good Dirt Halloween Party

Good Dirt, Athens’ local pottery studio and gallery will be hosting its annual Halloween bash tomorrow, October 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. You’ll be able to see new work by Jeff Williams, Mike Klapthor and Sarah Visser. In addition to the exhibition, there will be magic tricks, tasty refreshments and you can even bring your instrument for or just listen to a live acoustic music jam. Don’t miss out—it sounds like a great time!

Earlier that same day, as Clarke County schools are out, Good Dirt will be hosting a special kids’ workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The kids will be able to make Thanksgiving-themed projects. Make sure to call and register your kids.

Good Dirt has various classes year-round, from basic pottery wheel classes to glass fusing. Good Dirt also hosts birthday parties and can even bring workshops to your event. The studio and gallery are both located on the corner of Thomas and Dougherty Streets, north of the Classic Center. Call 706.355.3161 or email info.gooddirt@gmail.com for more information.