Perhaps our most exciting news is that March 1st, MOCA expanded its square footage to include the new exhibition galleries, administrative offices and exhibition preparation area, formerly occupied by the Lowe Gallery.  In an interesting turn of events, the Lowe Gallery has moved into MOCA GA's old space.   

 

Demolition is beginning in the new space and preparations are being made for the construction phase following the MOCA GALA Art Auction 2008 on April 12.  Those of you who join us at the Gala will be able to see the new galleries after demolition and before construction is completed.

 

We are deeply grateful to Merrill Elam and the talented architects at Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects for the great design work on our new spaces as well as the newly completed Education/Resource Center facility -- all being done pro bono.  The new galleries will debut this summer with an exhibition in mid-June by Larry Walker, one of the winners of MOCA GA's Working Artist Project, funded through a major grant from the Charles Loridans Foundation.

 

A celebration event, generously hosted by Betty and Bob Edge, Karen and John Spiegel and Susan Tucker, was held on February 8.  Patron members and funders of the Museum were able to tour the new MOCA GA Education/Resource Center which officially opened to the public February 12.  This new research facility will bring a much-needed resource to the Atlanta arts community.

 

We hosted a members-only Scroll Party in the new, unfinished exhibition galleries which was well attended and increased our membership nicely.  At the event we had available a beautiful handmade scroll for all members to sign.  The scroll will be housed in our historical archives, and signees will be forever known as MOCA TULA Scribes.

 

The MOCA GALA Art Auction 2008 event is consuming much of our focus right now.  The Auction Artists have donated great works of art again this year, and we are so pleased that Jim Landon will repeat his very entertaining performance as auctioneer.  Dan Carithers adds the special visual beauty as our returning event designer. 

 

This year, we are honoring my co-founder, David Golden, and his lovely wife, Elizabeth.  We are delighted to have David's brother and sister-in-law, Jon and Bobbie Golden, as our Host Committee Co-Chairs.  Their efforts are sure to guarantee a great success for MOCA GALA 2008.

 

As always, thanks to each of you for your part in the Museum's success.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Annette Cone-Skelton

President, CEO

 

click here for more information on MOCA GA's new Education/Resource Center.

 

 

Little did she know, she was preparing for her future and one of her many duties at MOCA GA -- archiving the more than 550 works of art in the permanent collection.  Lisa wears many hats on the MOCA GA staff.  She manages the Education/Resource Center which houses more than 150,000 items.  It is her important job not only to ensure that the items are safe and well cared for, but that they are accessible to people interested in learning about art and artists in Georgia.  She also prepares exhibition materials, including documentation using photographs and video.  She oversees the installation of exhibitions in the Education/Resource Center and is responsible for docent tours and visitors' access to the permanent collection.  And fittingly, she coordinates the MOCA GA interns, which is how she began in May 2002.

 

"It's been great because I've been able to come full circle," said Lisa,  "I began as an intern and saw the first donation of educational items come into the museum and now I am instructing college aged students in archiving and research.  We are documenting Georgia's art history as it happens."

 

Lisa was raised in Jacksonville, FL, and has a BA degree in history with an art history minor from Agnes Scott College.  In her rare free time, she likes to cook and go antiquing.  

 

 

Carter Foster

 

Submissions are now in for the 2008 MOCA GA Working Artists Project, funded by the Charles Loridans Foundation.  The three winning artists will be announced at the MOCA GALA 2008, Saturday, April 12, 2008.

 

Annette Cone-Skelton will be joined by fellow juror Carter Foster, Curator of Drawings at the Whitney Museum of American Art.  Foster is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of the University of Georgia.  His career has led him to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art before joining the Whitney in 2005.

 

The Working Artist Project was created by MOCA GA to support artists living and working in Atlanta.  The program aims to go beyond artist grants and strives to establish Atlanta on a national level as a city in which to launch a viable career in art.  Additionally, the WAP program was created to help retain existing artists in Atlanta and attract artists to come to the Atlanta area, bringing in new, exciting talent.

 

The three artists chosen will receive financial support in the form of a $12,000 stipend.  They will be provided a paid studio assistant during the year, working 10-15 hours a week.  In an unusual twist, the winning artist then provides valuable mentoring to the studio assistant, helping to launch careers of young artists and thus contributing to an artist-friendly environment in Atlanta.

 

Each artist will be featured in a solo exhibition with catalogue at MOCA GA.  In addition, a work of art from each artist will be added to the MOCA GA permanent collection, insuring their place in the overall history of Georgia's contemporary art.

 

The winners of the first WAP grants are Don Cooper, Danielle Roney, and Larry Walker.

 

For more detailed information about the Working Artist Project, click click here.

 

 

 

Petrirena appeared recently in a show entitled Speak (Again) Memory at the Contemporary Art Center, New Orleans.  He recently appeared in "The Master Series Reunion"  at City Gallery East in Atlanta, as well as the Frederieke Taylor Gallery in New York.  In September, he will have a solo exhibition in Miami at the Farside Gallery, curated by Cuban critic Carlos M. Luis.