Weekend Arts Agenda: ‘Sprawl!’ hits the High July 16 2015

There’s almost too much going on

??Two years ago the High Museum of Art brought us Drawing Inside the Perimeter, a showcase of drawings from Atlanta artists. Well, like any sequel things tend to get bigger and more expansive. That’s the idea behind Sprawl! Drawing Outside the Lines, an exhibition of over 100 drawings of over 70-plus Georgia-based artists from cities such as Atlanta, Athens, Columbus, Decatur, Lawrenceville, and Smyrna. From June 2013 to May of this year, the High has worked to acquire the pieces which will be on display through Oct. 4. There’s an opening reception this Sat., July 18, at the High. Fore more info click here.
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????THURSDAY
??Things will have a tendency to “transform” at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA), thanks to Portalism: New Moves by WonderRoot’s 2014/2015 Walthall Artist Fellows. What exactly is Portalism, you ask? Per, MOCA, it’s: “a shared faith among the Fellows in the very real potential of art to transform our present lives.” The exhibition will be on display through Sep. 12, with an opening reception Thurs., July 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There’s also a public symposium — workshops, talks, and performances from Fellows — on Sat., July 18, from noon-5 p.m. Details here.
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?>> Also on Thurs., July 16, it’s the Writer’s Exchange over at Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery. If you’re a local scribe looking to get some feedback, feel free to come and share your work for 10 minutes, and receive some constructive criticism in return. All writers are welcome regardless of skill or genre. If you’re feeling turned around and wee bit lost, call these numbers: 678-642-0612 or 404-578-4430.
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?FRIDAY?When Deer Bear Wolf first set out on its mission to unite the creative mammals of the city, the hope was that in the process the differences would be celebrated as much as the similarities. That vision is fully realized with Ocularis. The visual arts exhibition features a diverse collection of new work ranging from traditional painting and illustration to video and projection mapping from 19 Atlanta artists, including Kris Pilcher, Mike Germon, Romy Aura Maloon, and Laura Vela, among others. The show will be on display through Aug. 7 at Mammal Gallery, with the opening going down Fri., July 17, from 6-11 p.m.
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?>> Seems they’re catching the drawing fever over at the Chastain Arts Center, where this weekend will mark the opening of The Drawing Experiment, on display through Sep. 12. Artists including Jessica Caldas, Elyse Defoor, William Downs, Jessica Scott Felder, and Angus Galloway, created works onsite, drawing directly onto the walls for two and a half weeks. The opening reception is happening Fri., July 17, from 6-9 p.m.
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?>> There’s nothing like a good art stroll, and the National Black Arts Festival is having their own this weekend. NBAF’s Gallery Hop I: Intersecting Disciplines: Visual/Art/Dance, is a tour of local galleries (Bill Lowe Gallery, ZuCot Gallery, Alan Avery Art Company). It’s all happening Fri., July 17, from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $25-$30.
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?>> If you can’t wait till Saturday to see Sprawl! then maybe you should head over to Sandler Hudson Gallery for Summer Salon. The gallery will be displaying works from their artists that will be featured in Sprawl!, as well as pieces from some “newly represented” folks as well. The sneak peek is happening Fri., July 17, from 7-9 p.m.
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? SATURDAY
?>> South Downtown will look like Zine City this weekend, as the third annual Atlanta Zine Fest descends upon Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery. If you’re not familiar, you can read Digital Editor Meagan Mastrian’i’s feature to catch up. Be there, Sat., July 18, from noon-9 p.m.
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?>> The [http://clatl.com/atlanta/Location?oid=9412173&guide=city] will play host to a comedy show inspired by the Internet. Connected! An Internet Comedy Show, hosted by Kyle Gillis, will explore the “wasteland of knowledge, entertainment, and complete nonsense.” The list of performers include Ian AberJoe PettisRemi TreuerLaura LewisAnnie LockwoodWilliam MiracleDedrick FlynnEd DinzoleOlive LynchMatt Pechiney, and Ben Palmer. $5. Sat., July 18, at 9 p.m.
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?ONGOING/LAST CHANCE?
?>> Through Aug. 1, Beep Beep Gallery’s group show, Crown, will be on display. Curated by James McConnell and Mark Basehore, all of the works are from Atlanta-based artists who were chosen after individual studio visits. 
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>> Opening this week, and running through Aug. 1, is Out of Box Theatre’s production of Blackpool and Parrish. Our theater critic Keely L. Herrick got the skinny from director Zip Rampy (one of the best names ever).