Weekend Arts Agenda: ‘Little Things Mean A Lot’ and the Letters Festival November 12 2015

The Letters Festival, a three-day literature extravaganza, kicks off today at the Atlanta Contemporary with readings from Nick Sturm, Janaka Stucky, Nikki igbo, and Marcela Fuentes. Each live reading is $10, or you can buy a pass for the entire weekend. The festival is hosting poetry and writing workshops, including the one-hour MFA. A panel discussion on maintaining your writing practice is free, along with a book market on Fri., Nov. 13 and Sat., Nov. 14. The Letters Festival line-up is full of literary goodness, so don’t miss out. Check out the schedule here, the festival runs from Thurs., Nov. 14 to Sun., Nov. 15. 
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? THURSDAY
? >> Now on its 16th year, the Swan Coach House Gallery is hosting this year’s Little Things Mean A Lot — and the line-up is incredible. Opening on Thurs., Nov. 12, small works from established and emerging local artists adorn the walls of the gallery. Media includes painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, fiber, and ceramics. The ever-evolving show will be replacing pieces as they are sold with a new one by the same artist throughout the exhibition. Among the line-up, you’ll find works by Ashley Anderson, Liz Anderson, Molly Rose Freeman, Scott French, Eula Ginsburg, Ben Goldman, Eric Hancock, Richard Harris, Jenny Henley, and many more. The opening reception is from 6-9 p.m.
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? FRIDAYNotch 8 Gallery hosts the opening reception of Smothered By The Things We Love, a group show featuring new work by C. Flux Sing, Fabian, Nate Frost, Nick “Turbo” Benson, PaperFrank, Peter Ferrari, Sanithna Phansavanh, and Tuki Carter. The opening reception is on Fri., Nov. 13, from 7-11 p.m.
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? >> Gallery L1 presents Colin Ruel’s solo exhibition, Journey Paintings, on Fri., Nov. 13, from 6-9 p.m. Ruel’s work exploreS the “modishness of the 60’s, Tole motifs, and Chinese landscape paintings.” The month-long exhibition will also have an accompanying light show with descending and ascending color gradients on Ruel’s paintings to the beats of the drum and the visualizations of the shamanic practice.
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? >> Artist Rocio Rodriguez steps away from her usual large canvas work to bring a solo exhibition on small pieces to Sandler Hudson Gallery on Fri., Nov. 13. Small Works is a more intimate portrayal of Rodriguez’s ideas and visual vocabulary. The opening reception is from 7-9 p.m., and features a collection of paintings and works on paper.
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? SATURDAY
====== ‘Tis the holiday season for hot chocolate and the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Garden Lights. The Atlanta holiday tradition is back and more magical than ever. The event showcases lights all around the gardens and this year with a new massive Tunnel of Light. The radiant rainforest, glittering galaxy and other features are back as well. The Garden Lights season opens this Sat., Nov. 14 at 5 p.m., and it runs until Jan. 9.