SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2013/Marietta Daily Journal
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Art mecca
PAGE 5DD
Marietta Square bursting with color, creativity at Artists Market By Sally Litchfield sallylit@bellsouth.net
he Marietta Square is emerging as hub of activity for artists. The Marietta Square Artists Market is one of many local venues that attract artists and those enticed by art.
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The open-air juried artists market, showcasing the best of local work, takes place the second and fourth Saturday of each month from April through November on Mill Street, adjacent to Glover Park off the Marietta Square. “There are so many opportunities for artists on the Marietta Square,” said Samantha Reeves, Marietta Square Artists Market manager. With Atlanta art districts nearby, Marietta offers something unique. “We have opportunities for artists of all different levels,” she aid. Various artists from different places have the prospect of exhibiting at the market. “There is so little opportunity for artists to get their work out. That’s what’s great about the Artists Market it provides a venue for artists of all levels. It’s drawing artists from all over. That’s what sets us apart because we have the range of price point,” Reeves said. “It’s just a great opportunity for artists and at the same time helps our community thrive. All the money goes back into marketing our community.” Reeves explained that art is at the soul of a community. “Art is what makes a community rich and thrive. It brings joy to people’s lives,” Reeves said. With events like the
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Artists hold their art submissions in 2011 for the Marietta Square Artists Market, which is held alongside the Marietta Square Farmers Market.
Above: Artist Rebecca Drummond, right, smiles as she talks to people looking at her acrylic paintings in front of Go Fish Clothing and Jewelry on the Marietta Square during the First Friday Art Walk. Below: The First Friday Art Walk was held on Aug. 3 on the Marietta Square.
Marietta Artists Market and with galleries popping up around the Square, Marietta is on its way to becoming a mecca for artists. Half of Dupre’s Antiques Market (17 Whitlock Ave.) is used for visual arts gallery; behind Dupre’s is the Michael Turner Studio. Artists also have the opportunity to show at Art Walk in Artists Alley behind Dupre’s on Friday evenings. “Most people enjoy art, and the Marietta Square Artists Market gives everyone the opportunity to collect art and to discover what art is all
Staff/Todd Hull
The main lobby of the Earl Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta.
Strand Continued from Page 4DD way.” “They know I’m not going to try something unless I’ve researched it and done my due diligence to see if it was something that should work,” said Reece, 63, who treks to New York several times a year to scout suitable Broadway shows. But sometimes the comedy is homemade, like the fourth-floor cocktail party that was longer than expected for one guest. “This was funny,” Reece said. “(Steve) ‘Thunder’ Tumlin, our mayor, got trapped in the elevator. But he’s such a supporter of the Strand, he laughed and said, ‘Earl, you’re just trying to keep me at the Strand.’” Drama could ensue if volunteer ushers step out of line, according to the Frequently Asked Questions page at www.earlsmithstrand.org. “If you’re a meanie
usher, you have to spend the night under the stage with the theatre ghost,” it reads. Reece will not confirm or deny its existence. “We’ve had two paranormal groups spend the night here. They found nothing after two full nights,” he said. “We were in a meeting on the second floor, and all of a sudden the two doors closed all by themselves. It was a draft from another door opening. But it made a great effect.” What else lies ahead? “We’re going to produce a musical revue called ‘The Vegas Show 2013’ in March. It’ll be a fundraiser for the Strand and the Humane Society of Cobb County,” Reece said. “Then we’re also going to do educational performing arts workshops in the summer. We’re going to produce another student musical revue, and this will be our third year we’re going to do a Motown revue, probably in July. It’s the most successful financial thing we do at the Strand.”
about,” Reeves said. Organizers are currently accepting applications for 2013 dates. Download an application at www. artistsmarketmarietta.com.