Upcoming classes @ ARTichoke

Below is the list of classes currently being offered. But remember, we can set up something special for your group.

Class: Painted Pots
Time: Thursday, May 1 11am-1pm or 3:30-5pm
Fee: $25 (supplies included)Description: Just in time for Mother's Day!! We will use spring colors and a unique painting technique. Come paint a terra cotta pot for your mom or for yourself.Instructor:Jo Patterson, a professional artist and art educator, has done several artist residencies throughout the United States and Europe, taught classes on painting, sculpting, printmaking, textile, and more. Jo also had a project aired on the Carol Duvall Show on HGTV.
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Class: Adinkra Cloth Wearable ArtTime: Saturday, May 3 11am-1pm
Fee: $30 (supplies included, but you bring your own T-shirt)Description: The beautiful Adinkra Cloth made by the Ashanti People of Ghana, Africa is our jumping off point for this printmaking project. Bring a washed and air-dried white T-shirt to create your own personalized wearable art. A picture is attached to this email.Instructor:Jo Patterson, a professional artist and art educator, has done several artist residencies throughout the United States and Europe, taught classes on painting, sculpting, murals, printmaking, textile, and more. Jo also had a project aired on the Carol Duvall Show on HGTV.

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Class: Collage Time: Saturday, May 10 11am-1pm
Fee: $25 (supplies included)Description: You will make a miniature collage on a domino which can be used as a pendant or a pin. You will make 2 collage pendants to take with you. This class was very popular when offered last month. Lots of fun. Instructor: Anne Campbell, artist and member of the Mississippi Craftsmen's Guild, is co-owner of ARTichoke.
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Class: Candle making basics Time: Saturday, May 24 11am-1pm
Fee: $30 (supplies included)Description: You will make 2 container candles, a single color and a multi-color candle, using Carmen's great fragrance oils and natural soy wax.
Instructor: Carmen Castilla, professional artisan, member of the Mississippi Craftsmen's Guild, and co-owner of ARTichoke.

Come by ARTichoke to sign up for classes, or call and reserve your space with a credit card. Classes must be prepaid.

After Hours

"AFTER HOURS" is an incredible exhibit of new paintings by popular Jackson artist, Tony Davenport.

It will be hanging at ARTichoke beginning March 20th and runs through April 20th, 2008. Tony, a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi is a graduate of Jackson State University and currently resides in Jackson. Tony has participated in various professional art competitions and invitations throughout Mississippi. In 2006, he was commissioned to paint the murals inside the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation Museum in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. He also designed the original posters for both the 2006 Highway 61 Blues Festival and the 2006 Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival in Greenville, Mississippi.

When he came here 10 years ago Davenport says he was intrigued by the architecture and interesting buildings in the Capital City and by the stories that went with them. Much of his work includes these recognizable facades, including a self portrait which depicts Davenport with the King Edward hotel visible in the background. However, Tony says the "City with Soul" theme recently adopted by Jackson inspired him to produce his "After Hours" series which is being exhibited at ARTichoke starting March 20th. "After Hours" includes night vistas of Jackson landmarks, local scenes and familiar people and places. Davenport's art tells a visual story of this city and its people from north to south Jackson, and all points in between.

Descriptions of Davenport's work range from "provocative" to "intense" to "cool". Whatever the words used, his paintings always evoke a powerful reaction. He is clearly a rising star in the art world. Join us in celebrating the opening of this incredible exhibit on Thursday, March 20th from 5:30 pm until 8:30pm at ARTichoke, 1012 E. Fortification in the historic Belhaven area of Jackson. Click here to see more of Tony's work . http://www.arthentix.com/

Local musician Scott Albert Johnson, the "Umbrella Man", will be performing on the covered patio behind ARTichoke for the event. The singer, songwriter and harmonica player was raised in Jackson, Mississippi. After attending Harvard and Columbia University, and living away for a while, he has returned home physically and musically. His unique style of blues, jazz and more will thoroughly entertain and captivate you. Read more about Scott here and come hear him at ARTichoke during "After Hours.". http://www.scottalbertjohnson.com/

On street parking will be provided.

"ART in the Dark"

"Blues Tapestry"

The store was beautiful inside and out. The quilts were beautiful, the food was magnificent and lots of people came. We were set to have a great event, then about thirty minutes or less into the reception there was a massive power failure in the whole Belhaven/ Fondren area and the lights went out.

We lit candles to try and light the place and Rhonda did a short talk about her quilts (in the dark). On the bright side (pun intended), people did not leave. They seemed to still enjoy themselves and laughed about the power failure. Someone coined the phrase "art in the dark". They talked and ate the wonderful food (Rhonda's sister did the catering). Some carried candles around looking at things. People kept coming, even knowing there was a power failure.

Thanks to all that braved the weather and came to this great event. We will probably have another event with the lights on this time. More on that later as we figure it out the details.

Blues Tapestry

Rhonda Blasingame, quilt artist and exhibiting member of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi, is the newest featured artist at ARTichoke. Join us Thursday, February 21, 2008 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for a reception honoring Rhonda and presenting her incredible art quilts. The theme of this show is "Blues Tapestry". Below, the artist describes her work and her inspirations.

"Although my work utilizes traditional quilting skills, my quilts are nothing like the ones I made with my grandmother. Contrast, color, design and subject matter are all used to create an overall "feel" to each piece. The fabrics I use are heavily textured and it's not unusual to see burlap or velvet in my work along with the traditional cottons.

Embellishments, whether beading or found objects or fibers, are used to enhance the overall design and add another layer of movement and texture. The threadwork on each piece may be dense or minimal and is chosen to highlight or minimize the different areas of the design.
All of my work incorporates my deep love of the South and the tradition of quilting in some way, either through the materials I use, the subject matter, or my chosen techniques for the piece.

Most of my quilts contain at least one piece of fabric that I have created myself through painting, dyeing or rust staining. Music is a recurring theme in my work because of the rich musical history of Mississippi, as is Mardi Gras, based on my own history of family from the Delta and the Gulf Coast. Traditions play a large part in my work, both through the themes I choose and the actual skills used in constructing the piece."

Let us know what you think of this piece and look for more on this site about Rhonda Blasingame and her upcoming exhibition at ARTichoke in the coming days and weeks.

Belhaven Lights, Belhaven Nights

ARTichoke had great fun meeting everyone at the 3rd annual Belhaven Lights, Belhaven Nights art and music festival. We got soft but didn't totally melt like we did last year. The event was success and we look forward to participating next year. Enjoy the pictures!

ARTichoke Wins Mississippi Main Street Award

Wow!!! ARTichoke has been awarded Best New Development Project by the Mississippi Main Street Association! We are so excited to have won this award. The owners of Artichoke will be presented a certificate by the Mississippi Main Street program on May 17 at a ceremony at the Old Capitol Inn.
ARTichoke chose to locate in the Belhaven area and be a part of the main street revitalization taking place along Fortification Street. It is an exciting and vibrant place to be.
Next time you are on Fortification Street look for our quaint green cottage with the deep purple shutters halfway between State Street and I-55 at the crest of the hill. There is parking in front and additional parking in the back.
We love to show off our shop to visitors. There is a lot to see, including our wonderfully refurbished building. Have something cold to drink and let us show you around. When you have out of town guests bring them by, as many of our Belhaven neighbors do. They will be favorably impressed with the vitality of this area and they will get a taste of the artistry and creativity that abounds in Mississippi.

A Mother's Love

There is nothing like a mother's love. It is your first and most enduring love. A mother's love strengthens and secures you. It helps to define the person that you will become.

On May 13th, mother's across the country will be lavished with gifts of handmade jewelry, premium candles, beautiful soaps or lovely collectibles.

With so many options, how does an adoring child choose the right gift? Well, at ARTichoke we love mothers and believe that you shouldn't have to pick just one gift for your Mom.

Visit ARTichoke where we will help you create an elegant Mother's Day gift set filled with treasures that will bring a tear to the eye of any mother.