My niece was born yesterday! I am down here in Charlotte and waiting to fly up on Friday to Minnesota to go meet her! She looks adorable in photos…which is how I’m going to have to watch her grow up, besides my few visits up to Minnesota during the year! Can’t wait to take photos of her once I get up there!
~Aunty Laura!
Where Art Thou? Column – July 2007
Making a Difference With Photography
People come into our lives for a reason, either to teach us, love us, inspire us, or save us, and Mark Pendergrass is one of those people who has done all of these.
Mark dedicates his Saturdays to teens in the Stratford Richardson YMCA Photojournalism program to teach them photography, thereby providing them with a creative outlet as opposed to their being bored or even getting in trouble on the weekends.
The work that comes from these teens is remarkable. I went to the opening night of their exhibit at ImaginOn and saw students’ creative work developed from skills and techniques that I wish I knew when I was their age. Their photos were emotional, (not an easy skill to ascertain), and since they are only between the ages of 12-19, they have so much more learning ahead of them.
Mark is offering these teens a great gift by giving them something to look forward to every Saturday, and not only teaching them the art of photography, but introducing them to what other photographers are capturing.
I was introduced to Mark’s students when they visited my Art and Soul of Southend booth both in 2006 and 2007. Mark was showing them the many artists’ works and I got the chance to explain how I photographed my window reflections.
As I was explaining my technique to them, it made me think of my days as a teenager. These teens are very lucky to have someone teaching and influencing them. I didn’t have that privilege when I was young of learning how to use a camera, nor did I even know how strongly I would be interested in this art form until later in high school.
These kids are doing something great for themselves and at the same time, being involved in the community.
Several of Mark’s students have been published in local Charlotte publications and some have moved on to college.
Inspire others and be inspired in return.
Other Art Events This Month:
Disney’s The Lion King
Belk Theater
July 12 – August 19
Tickets $22.50-$125.00
www.blumenthalcenter.org
James Gregory
Comedian – www.funniestman.com
McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square
Friday, July 27 @ 8:00PM
www.blumenthalcenter.org – tickets
By: Laura Vossberg
laura@ElevateCharlotte.com
Smokey Joe’s Cafe
I was invited by Grant Thornton to attend the VIP performance of Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Theatre Charlotte. It was an amusing show and a great opportunity to experience Theatre Charlotte for the first time.
Theatre Charlotte is Charlotte’s oldest arts organization. The amazing part about this theatre is that all performers volunteer their talents to entertain.
Smokey Joe’s Café, directed and choreographed by Ron Chisholm, is a musical featuring oldie goldies we all know and love like “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock,” from songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
The script was comical, dramatic, and sexy all in one, making it truly a fun show to watch. Many times younger professionals are intimidated or simply uninterested in attending musicals or plays, but as my friend Ryan said that night, “You can experience theatre without the seriousness of theatre. You can always have a good time with who you are with.”
Theatre Charlotte has a great lineup of shows for the 2007-2008 season in celebration of its 80th Anniversary. You should definitely check out Oliver! in September and The Heidi Chronicles in November. Visit the website for show information and directions. www.TheatreCharlotte.org
Body Worlds
If you go to only one museum exhibit this year, you need to make it Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds. Body Worlds is an anatomical exhibition of real human bodies that is well-known around the world and excitingly, is coming to Charlotte June 13 – October 28.
The exhibition will feature more than 200 real human specimens, allowing visitors to learn about anatomy, physiology, and health.
It is destined to be an intriguing exhibit for all ages and will help Charlotte’s status in America’s art scene. Hundreds of thousands of people from around the nation are expected to attend. Since its launch, nearly 20 million people from around the globe have viewed the Body Worlds exhibit. Make sure you make it to Discovery Place to see it for yourself! Visit www.discoveryplace.org for info.
Other Art Events This Month:
VantagePoint VI
Tom Hunter:
Contemporary Narratives
Mint Museum of Art
Through July 8, 2007
www.mintmuseum.org
Lake Norman Postcards Exhibit
Presented by Lake Norman Art League
Cornelius Town Hall
June 3 – June 28, 2007
www.lknart.org
By: Laura Vossberg
laura@ElevateCharlotte.com
I recently went to the “Pews You Can Use” event at the NoDa First Friday Gallery Crawl. That night I came to appreciate the art and atmosphere in this funky section of town.
“Pews You Can Use” is a public art display benefiting the NoDa School of the Arts, which teaches youth acting, dance, music, and visual arts.
You have probably seen these decorated pews around Uptown and NoDa. Each of the 30 pews have been given their own titles and will be at the “Pews on Parade” auction on May 31 from 7-9pm at the Mint Museum on Randolph Road.
I also realized that evening how entertaining it can be just to be in the NoDa area. As we were sauntering down the sidewalks, I was amazed as to how different the atmosphere was compared to being Uptown on a Friday night. I loved it! Usually we find ourselves doing the same things each weekend and often don’t realize the “whole new world” we have in NoDa, just a short ride from Center City. It truly is a different culture. Each bar and restaurant has a style of its own which gives you the feeling of being inside art.
We ended our artsy night at the Evening Muse where we listen to a few local artists. If you ever spend a weekend night in NoDa, definitely stop by the Evening Muse. It was there that I took a second to look around and noticed paintings on the walls from local artists, a band entertaining on stage, and people simply enjoying the company of their friends.
The purpose of my column is to inform you of art in Charlotte and after spending an evening in NoDa, I learned that art doesn’t always have to be paintings or photographs on the walls. An easy change in routine can be all it takes to bring new variety and excitement to your predictable weekends. Enjoy what’s around you.
Other Art Events This Month
Historic Southend Gallery Crawl
First Friday of each month
6pm-8pm
www.historicsouthend.com
1st & 3rd Fridays Gallery Crawl
NoDa’s Unique Street Scene
6pm-9:30pm
www.NoDa.org
Beatles Tribute Night
SPIRIT SQUARE
Saturday, May 12th
7pm-11pm
Tickets – $12
www.blumenthalcenter.org
Evening Muse
Beatles After-party
Saturday, May 12th
11pm-?
FREE
www.eveningmuse.com
Pews on Parade Auction
Thursday, May 31st
Mint Museum on Randolph Rd.
7-9pm
By: Laura Vossberg
I will be participating again this year in Art & Soul of Southend in Charlotte. I will have my booth set up along Camden Street in the Southend area. There is info and directions on their website. www.artandsoulofsouthend.com.
I have finally got a great reflection of the Charlotte skyline! I am very excited about this new photo and it shows off the gorgeous night skyline of Charlotte! Make sure to stop by my booth to see the large print of this photo!
Last year was a lot of fun and hopefully the weather is great for this year to be fun as well! There will be lots of artists’ booths set up and a chance to enjoy the Southend area! Stop by and say hello!
~Lauraartsoul2007.pdf
Starting in the April issue of ELEVATE Magazine and Entertainment, I will be the “Where Art Thou?” columnist. Each month I will be posting information of different art events going on in the Charlotte area. I feel this is one area of Charlotte that doesn’t get enough attention and with so many new people moving to the area, it’s a great way to find more things to do in the city. Stay tuned each month…Where Art Thou?
Tonight I have been working on my cousin Beth’s Save the Date card. She is getting married September 2, 2007 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I am going to be the photographer for her wedding. I am very excited to do this for her. I love designing invites and such like this. Beth and Jason live in Seattle, Washington. Their engagement photos were taken by my cousin Erica’s husband, Jon in Seattle. They are gorgeous and make me very excited to get to Seattle & Spokane for my cousin Hillary’s wedding which is 07/07/07! So many family weddings!
