Friday, April 12, 2013
In March, Norcross held an open bid race for the leases on three art spaces, including Lionheart Theatre Co. and Kudzu Art Zone. Because of the outcry from the community, the city has decided to revoke its request for bid proposals from outside groups.
Things at Lionheart Theatre Co. and Kudzu Art Zone were getting heated after they discovered March 20 that the city had started accepting outside lease bids for their buildings. Essentially, it meant that the two organizations could lose their venues to other bidders. So the two art spaces asked their supporters to call and email city officials to express their concerns if either one of the businesses were forced to move out of Norcross. In the week after Lionheart and Kudzu first received the notices, the city received more than 200 responses from the public regarding the issue. Because of the outcry, the city has decided to withdraw the request for outside proposals on the two buildings. Last week, Mayor Bucky Johnson met with both …
Friday, April 5, 2013
Here's what Norcross has planned for the weekend.
It may finally be getting warmer this weekend. Here's what Norcross has planned for it. Friday kicks off the Blue Trees Project, a social art installation that involves painting the trees a vibrant blue color. While being an art movement, the project aims to call attention to global deforestation and its impact on Earth. The community is being asked to help paint the trees in Thrasher Park and Betty Mauldin Park in the afternoon on April 5 and Saturday morning so that the trees can make an official debut the evening of April 6. For more details, check out the Patch article and visit aplacetoimagine.com. Also on Friday, Norcross Relay for Life is having a Wild West Carnival and Movie Night to benefit the American Cancer Society. Held at …
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The new spring exhibit at the Norcross art gallery features gallery's members work that poses the question of comparative reality.
To add to the Blue Trees Project happening this weekend in Norcross, Kudzu Art Zone is getting in on the art action Saturday with the opening reception of its spring exhibit, Real/Unreal/Surreal. The new exhibit, which debuted April 1, is a member show that displays artists' interpretations of how real, unreal or surreal their visual creations are, according to a statement from the Norcross gallery. Original in design and executed in a variety of mediums, the works poses the question of comparative reality. The free opening reception for the new exhibit is Saturday, April 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with free wine and refreshments. The exhibit will run through June 1. Kudzu Art Zone is located at 116 Carlyle St. in downtown Norcross. The …
Friday, March 29, 2013
Members of the arts community in Norcross have expressed their feelings concerning the open bid that the city has placed on the leases for the spaces at the theatre company and the art gallery.
Since the city announced Kudzu Art Zone and Lionheart Theatre Co. are part of an open bid for its current buildings, the arts community in Norcross has been up in arms. Last week, the art gallery and theatre company, in addition to the Latin American Association and the vacant Norcross Arts Center, had notices placed on their buildings announcing that their spaces were up for bid. This means that the current tenants could lose those spaces if other bids are chosen. (Click here to read more about the issue.) In the Norcross Patch article concerning the topic, many have spoken out in support of the two art organizations. Here are some of the responses: As a member of Kudzu, this action feels like a kick in the stomach! I guess the saying 'no…
Monday, March 25, 2013
The Lionheart Theatre Co., Kudzu Art Zone and the old rectory formerly known as The Nest all have their venues up for bid.
The city of Norcross is accepting bids to take over the leases of four downtown city-owned spaces, three of which are dedicated to the arts. The leases are being negotiated for the Latin American Association, Lionheart Theatre, Kudzu Art Zone and the old rectory formerly known as The Nest. This motion means that the current businesses could lose the spaces if other bids are chosen. "No one gave us a heads up on this," said Lionheart's Artistic Director Tanya Caldwell, who said she didn't know about it until she saw a notice on the theatre's door last Wednesday. "We have a full year of committed [shows] already, and we have season ticket holders. ... This has really thrown us for a loop." "This would devastate Kudzu," said David Raderstorf …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Check out what's happening this weekend.
Ready for some happenings in Norcross this weekend? On Friday (Feb. 8), the Norcross Arts Center is hosting an opening reception of an R&B legend in "Wilson Pickett: 25 at the Top." A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded more than 50 songs which made the U.S. R&B charts with hits such as "Land of 1,000 Dances," "Mustang Sally," and "Funky Broadway." Live music will be playing from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the event is free, so check out more information about it here. Then on Saturday (Feb. 9), get ready for opening reception No. 2; this time, at Kudzu Art Zone. The Carlyle Street art gallery will have the event for its latest exhibit, "Doors and Portals," from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. "Doors" will feature not …
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Historic Downtown Norcross gallery will have the new exhibit up Friday, Feb. 1, with the opening reception Feb. 9.
Downtown Norcross' Kudzu Art Zone will present a new exhibit, "Doors and Portals," this Friday, Feb. 1. The exhibit, which will have an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, will feature not only actual doors and portals, but also "portals to a different scene or location or frame of mind," according to a statement from the gallery. Some of the paintings, which range in mediums, include large pathways into a forest, a glimpse into a mysterious canyon, very lighthearted and colorful doors, windows and views from windows. The art is described as being "thoughtful" and "fun." Free and open to all ages, "Doors and Portals" runs through March 23. Kudzu Art Zone is located at 116 Carlyle St. and is open Friday and Saturday …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Kudzu Art Zone, Lionheart Theatre Co. and Christ Church Episcopal all have events for the whole family this weekend.
It's the first official weekend of 2013. While some of us are still cozying by a fire and relaxing to try to recover from New Year's Eve, others want to go out and play. Here's a list of things to do if you're one of those people ready for some fun outside the house. On Saturday, Lionheart Theatre is having an open house for its new arts venue, The Art House. During the free event from noon to 3 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy storytelling, live music, a play reading and art from local artists. Visitors also can contribute their skills to a collage that will be displayed through January. For more details on the open house, click here. Kudzu Art Zone is having a reception for its first show of 2013 this weekend, too. With 2D and 3D work …
Friday, November 9, 2012
Norcross has midget wrestling, art at Kudzu and more.
There's no big city event this weekend, but check out the million other things happening in Norcross. On Friday, Kudzu Art Zone is having an opening reception for its new exhibit and its last show of 2012, "Exploring the Creative Path." From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., grab some drinks and finger foods while taking in work by artists who express their individual paths to inspiration. Then on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the North Atlanta Trade Center is hosting an evening of Atlanta Midget Wrestling. Bridging the "gap between comedy and serious sports entertainment," the show is all-new and features the Russian Princess and four top-notch wrestlers in action. The event is open to children and families. Tickets are $20, and for more information, check out…
Monday, September 10, 2012
Friday was the night for Kudzu Art Zone's annual "12x12 Xtravaganza" exhibition and benefit, and The Nest also had its newest exhibit, "The Urban Side of Light."
It was an artsy weekend in Norcross last Friday with two opening receptions. At The Nest, artist Nathaniel Roberts showed off his work in his exhibition, "The Urban Side of Light." (Other artist, Maxx, had planned to share the exhibition, but had to cancel at the last moment.) Roberts, who lives in Lawrenceville, is a Brooklyn-born and -inspired artist who covers a number of mediums: photography, painting and poetry. He entertained the crowd all night with the stories behind his work, spoken word and music. Also on Friday, Kudzu Art Zone had its third annual fundraiser and exhibition, "12x12 Xtravaganza" where lots of art, food and people were present to enjoy it all. More than 70 pieces by 50 artists were on display in the exhibit. Even …
Mikki Root Dillon
6:23 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013
I sincerely pray that the Norcross commission has realized the great benefit to its community given by the activities of both the theater group and Kudzu and will decide in their favor in the granting of the new contracts. Thank you who have contacted the commission members in favor of the art groups. Keep it up, please! more ›