Weekend arts agenda: Subterfuge and loving thy neighbor June 19 2009

To my surprise, not one but several colleagues have brought this tidbit to my attention: The new art show at the Bench, an “urban lifestyle” boutique and gallery, was created by the graffiti writer known as Never. The guy’s quite prominent, as you can see from the number of his pieces that have been photographed and reproduced online, not to mention the fact that he was a principal figure in Mara Shalhoup’s 2008 feature on Cabbagetown graffiti. Not Art: A Collection of Works by Never opens tonight, June 20, at 8:00 p.m. at the Bench (602A Marietta St.).

Speaking of Marietta Street, beautiful things continue to happen on the Westside. Don’t miss the group show at Saltworks Gallery, which includes the work of Brian Dettmar. Dettmar is a true Atlanta heavyweight; his surreal bookbinding-inspired sculptures demand to be experienced up close and in person. Also, I look forward to the lecture on art theft and the art world’s criminal element at Emily Amy Gallery, as well as the incredibly timely, philanthropically minded talk at Get This! Gallery, “Art as a Vehicle for Social Change,” by WonderRoot co-founders Chris Appleton and Alex West. The plans these guys have, and what the fruits of which might imply for Atlanta, are adventurous to say the least. Meanwhile, Fahamu Pecou’s gathering at the Contemporary tonight will apparently feature a guest appearance by Kwanza Hall (which I really hope will turn out to be Atlanta City Council member Kwanza Hall!).

Oh, and don’t forget the Sunday critics’ workshop by Creative Loafing’s own arts oracle, Cinqué Hicks, at Atlanta Printmakers Studio!

For more local arts events, visit clatl.com/events or, check today’s visual arts To Do List at BurnAway.org.

(Photo courtesy Westside Arts District)