By Ann Nichols
annsnichols@aol.com
Artamajig 2010, an evening of culinary delights and fine art, will be held on Thursday at Tanner Hill Gallery. The event is the Arts and Education Council's only annual fundraiser.
"It brings the community together to raise money for AEC programs such as the Back Row Film Series, Culture Fest and the Conference on Southern Literature," said Susan Robinson, AEC's executive director.
Since 2003, the Artamajig committee has approached artists in the Chattanooga area to create artworks that reference a one-word theme, such as "bound," "change," "reflect" and "break." The 2010 theme is "fierce" and was selected by event chairman Kathy Graham and her committee.
Painter Wendy Adams interpreted "fierce" by portraying nature and the universe in her mixed-media work "The Cigar Galaxy."
"With all its beauty, nature can also be fierce," she sad. "Thunderstorms, volcanos, hurricanes -- nothing is more fiercely beautiful to me than the universe."
Cat Collier's "Fearless Fierceness" is also inspired by the natural world. She began her mixed-media piece with images of cactus plants , depicted with sharp angles snd geometric shapes, on a black background. Then she splattered yellow, green, turquoise and red paint onto the surface.
Kem Alexander's "Heavy Metal Interactive Orb" is a concrete vessel with metal nuts embedded in a systematic design. The top perimeter contains screws that can be maneuvered to different heights or completely removed.
"I interpreted this year's theme as fiercely imaginative and playful," said Ms. Alexander.
Judith Paul decided to express her strong feelings about the loss of traditional books to new technology such as books on tape, Kinder, etc. In her mixed-media abstract painting, "The Last Page," she has incorporated an actual page from Joyce Carol Oates novel I'll Take You There.
And photographer Pat Cory's picture "Boldly Go" concerns the Blue Angels and beauty.
"The planes flown by the Blue Angels are arguably some of the fiercest aircraft in the United States arsenal but, in the context of a Blue Angels show, extremely skilled pilots can create patterns of beauty in the sky," said Ms. Cory.
There will be 46 artists represented in Artamajig and visitors can purchase their pieces in a silent auction format from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
During the auction, food by Chef Daniel Lindley of Alleia will be available. Each dish will be paired with fine wine provided by Riverside Wine & Sprits. Whipped Cupcakes will serve dessert.
Tickets are $65 per person or $100 per couple and appropriate attire is business casual. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Call AEC at 267-1218 or register online at www.ArtsEdCouncil.org.
Tanner Hill Gallery is at 3069 South Broad St.