The Versatile Art Center and Event Venue Brings Religious Mixed-Media Exhibition to the West Side
ATLANTA (September 1, 2016) – Atlanta’s Westside Cultural Arts Center (WCAC), brings art, religion and fashion to West Midtown on Saturday, September 10 from 7 to 11 p.m., at the opening of its latest exhibit, Velare. WCAC’s gallery-in-residence is proud to present Amy Rader and Anderson Smith’s mixed-media exhibition, Velare. Velare explores the religious, sociocultural, psychological, and sociosexual functions of veils, garments and symbols that can make viewers feel “comfortable” or “uncomfortable,” depending on beliefs. Rader and Smith will unveil this multi-sensory experience complete with art, photography, video, and designs from Bill Hallman. The exhibit will run through September 26.
“We are thrilled to house such a provocative and relevant exhibition at Westside Cultural Arts Center,” said Dr. James L. Chappuis, founder of WCAC. “This, paired with West Midtown’s ever-expanding arts community, add to our mission to provide Atlanta with a living gallery that supports a rotating collection of local and regional artists.”
“Using multiple mediums, the Velare pieces show the human form through Anderson Smith’s photographic images, my intricate layers of digital collage technique and then delicately stitched metallic thread,” said Velare artist, Amy Rader. “Anderson and I are excited to add to Atlanta’s art conversation with these pieces that look beyond the veil.”
WCAC’s goal is to challenge the way viewers observe and interact with Atlanta’s art scene by stimulating social awareness through avant garde exhibits, shows and events. In addition to curating new shows in the coming year, WCAC is excited to welcome fourth generation art dealer and internationally acclaimed curator, Gloria Porcella to their gallery in-residence January 2017. Over the years Porcella has curated many exhibitions. Her passion for Public Art include installations in cities such as Rome, Berlin, Hannover, Gstaad, Monaco, Turin, Palermo, Brussels, Milan and the sensational first installation of the REgeneration Art Project in Syracuse, Italy during the G8 Environmental Summit to name a few. Porcella currently leads Galleria Ca’ d’Oro, one of Rome’s best known contemporary art galleries, located in Via del Babuino, Galleria Ca’ d’Oro Miami located in the Miami’s Design District and she recently opened her newest gallery in New York City in Chelsea in 2014. She continues to bring experience and expertise to the US, promoting Italian and European art with passion and enthusiasm.
About Westside Cultural Arts Center
Westside Cultural Arts Center (WCAC) was founded by Dr. James L. Chappuis who has long been a proponent of the development of Atlanta’s West Midtown, as well as an avid art collector and leader in the art world. In addition to housing a gallery-in-residence, WCAD aims to create a living gallery that supports a rotating collection of local and regional artists that doubles as an event venue. With ample space and a full-service commercial catering kitchen, it is WCAC’s mission to provide assistance to a visually stimulating art world and a blank canvas on which any client can create the perfect special event. The result is an exceptionally inviting, energizing and elegant space.
About Artist, Amy Rader
Amy Rader was born in small town Muscle Shoals, Alabama, known for creating some of the most creative and defiant music in American history. Although she didn’t have the musical abilities, she showed a talent in drawing and painting at a very young age. Her obsession with anything art flourished in high school and Amy was awarded a full scholarship to the Art Institute of Atlanta. After moving to the city at the ripe age of eighteen, she maintained a laser focus on her work and graduated with the “Best Portfolio Award” and a job at Atlanta’s top ad agency, J. Walter Thompson. Always an artist at heart, she found a way to blend her talents for graphics, art and photography by creating mixed media pieces inspired by travel, music and fashion. You can find Amy working in her ‘treehouse’ studio on her freelance gigs for notable Fortune 500 companies or creating some of the most talked about visuals in the hottest nightclubs, restaurants, boutiques and salons around Atlanta. Infused with glitz and glam, her work is an intricate dance of photography, illustration, and digital explorations. For more information, visit www.raderdesigns.net/.
About Photographer, Anderson Smith
Anderson Smith is a self-taught artist and photographer. Art has always been a part of who Anderson is as an individual. Growing up in the Midwest (Chicago, Illinois) is where he shaped his visual and creative journey – from countless hours of drawing in his bedroom – to freehand painting on small canvases. Photography came later in life as his father was a budding photographer capturing moments in everyday life in the early 60’s and 70’s. Anderson was inspired by his father’s work, and one day picked up a camera and instantly became enamored with this artistic medium. Anderson shaped and honed his skills as a photographer while still implementing his artistic talents to his projects. He has had gallery showings throughout Atlanta with a few group shows at various galleries around the city. Anderson pairs his artistic talents to meld into a vision that has propelled him into one of the most sought after photographers in the city. For more information, visit www.andersonsmithphotography.net.