ATLANTA — Future Foundation students experienced an amazing introduction into
the art world yesterday at an exclusive workshop with premier visual artists,
led by the award winning public artist, Lillian Blades. The event that was held
at the Jefferson Park Recreation Center in East Point, and included 1-on-1
instruction by National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) artists Charly Palmer, Okeeba
Jubalo and Tracy Murrell. The students worked alongside the artists on Blades’
large format “True to Atlanta” inspired piece that will be a permanent display
in the all-new State Farm Arena.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, former Atlanta Hawks forward and founder of the Future
Foundation shared, “I am ecstatic that the Future Foundation is partnering with
the Atlanta Hawks and the National Black Arts Festival on this project. It
provides us a unique opportunity to expose our youth to the arts and gives them
an exciting chance to be part of a permanent mural that will impact the Atlanta
community for generations to come!”
The collaboration was a result of a conversation between art consultant Amy
Parry and Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim, CEO of the Future Foundation, when they realized
there was an inherent synergy between the artist’s work and the Future
Foundation’s mission to expose and educate youth with hands on encounters.
“This artwork demonstrates what’s possible when communities come together. The
collaboration of accomplished local artists and creative young minds to produce
a piece of State Farm Arena history embodies what ‘True to Atlanta’ is all
about,” stated Andrea Carter, VP of Corporate Social Responsibility and
Inclusion for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena.
“Art is a way that people express themselves when they may not have the words or
platform to convey their feelings. I think that it is really important that
children are allowed to have that “voice.” states Lillian Blades. “Working with
the youth provides a chance to connect with, and encourage those that are
invigorated by art.”
Blades’ works, which can be seen at www.lillianblades.com, are predominately
mixed media assemblages and are made with an assortment of materials, both found
and constructed by her in her home based studio. As a public artist she enjoys
collaborating with other artists and groups on large-scale assemblages such as
the “True To Atlanta” series. Her work has appeared in solo and group
exhibitions throughout various galleries in the United States as well as the
Bahamas, Trinidad, Germany and South Africa. Her public commissions include
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Jean Childs Young Middle
School, and her artwork is also in the collection of the Birmingham Museum of
Art and the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas.
Lillian’s work will be featured in the Mint Museum’s first large-scale
exhibition to explore the dynamic medium of collage entitled “Under
Construction: Collage from the Mint Museum” which opens in December of 2018.
“We are excited to bring acclaimed visual artists Charly Palmer, Okeeba Jubalo,
and Tracy Murrell in support of artist, Lillian Blades, to provide an amazing
arts education experience for the youth of Future Foundation and enrich the
Atlanta community,” said Vikki Morrow, NBAF President and CEO. “For three
decades NBAF has advanced the arts and contributions of artists of African
descent while reaching back to our youth to develop the next generation of
artists of all arts disciplines.”
Fans will be able to view the finished piece at the new State Farm Arena on
Saturday, Oct. 20 with the “Welcome to the Neighborhood” Open House Party – a
FREE public event inviting fans to experience the new venue following its nearly
$200MM transformation. Those interested in attending should register at
www.statefarmarena.com/openhouse.
Media Content:
https://www.nba.com/hawks/community/hawks-lillian-blades-future-foundation-nation
al-black-arts-festival-partner-creation
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al-black-arts-festival-partner-creation
