VISUAL ART
Name price for ’Picasso’
If pinched finances have kept you from attending the popular exhibit “Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters,” the High Museum of Art has a tempting deal on Sunday. From noon to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.), the museum will offer a “pay as you wish” special for walk-up customers that includes access to all current exhibits and the permanent collection. 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-4444, www.high.org. HOWARD POUSNER

Continue reading High Museum offers ‘pay as you wish’ deal Sunday afternoon »

ENTERTAINMENT
‘Odysseo’ extends run
The horse and acrobatics extravaganza “Odysseo” has been extended a second week in Midtown, now running through Jan. 22. Presenter Cavalia is adding an incentive, offering discounts from 10 percent to 50 percent to those who purchase tickets (normally $29.50-$229.50, plus fees) this week. Also, anyone buying on Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the big top site at Spring and 8th streets can get a free tour of the stables. 1-866-999-8111, www.cavalia.net. HOWARD POUSNER

BOOKS
$8.5 million
–Price at recent Sotheby’s auction brought by Tamara de Lempicka’s “Le rêve (Rafaëla sur fond vert).” The 1927 painting serves as the cover illustration of Ellis Avery’s “The Last Nude,” a novel of love, sexual obsession, treachery and tragedy in which de Lempicka is a central character. Avery gives a free Georgia Center for the Book talk at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-8450, ext. 2225, …

Continue reading Culture notes: ‘Odysseo’ extended until Jan. 22; Ga. Center for the Book presents author of Jazz Age novel Tuesday »

By Howard Pousner
hpousner@ajc.com

The High Museum of Art announced on Thursday that it will offer free admission for school groups and teachers from every Title 1 School in Georgia to enable more students to see “Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters.”

“We want to give as many students as possible the opportunity to see these masterpieces,” High director Michael Shapiro said in a statement. “The High is a dynamic educational resource for the schools and students of Georgia so we want to do what we can to provide students with creative and inspiring experiences.”

An exhibition of 100-plus masterworks from New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the exhibit continues through April 29.

The free admission is made available through the Art Access program, created in 2004 with the goal of removing economic barriers to visiting the High for more than 15,000 public school students annually. Supported by the Kendeda Fund, Art Access is an all-inclusive field trip program that …

Continue reading High makes ‘Picasso to Warhol’ free for Title 1 students »

VISUAL ART
The potterymaking state
Providing a current and detailed take on the craft of ceramics around the state, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia has opened “Georgia Clayworkers,” an exhibition of 50 ceramic works by 25 Georgia ceramicists.

Curated by Rick Berman, long-time Atlanta potter and Pace Academy pottery instructor, the show runs through March 31. A ticketed reception is planned 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 17 ($20), and a ceramics marketplace of Georgia clay workers, including several of the exhibition artists, is set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 18 (marketplace is free, and normal admission will be waived with any purchase).

The 25 artists are: A.J. Argentina, Rick Berman, Jennifer Ashcraft Berman, Jorie Berman, Sandy Culp, Glenn Dair, Tom Egan, Mary Engel, Roger Jamison, Lauren Gallaspy, Chris Kelly, Diane Kempler, Mark Knott, Ron Meyers, Andy Nassise, Marcia O’Brien, Margaret Patterson, Donald Penny, John Roberts, Lora Rust, T. Saupe, Vernon Smith, Tim Sullivan, …

Continue reading Culture notes: Georgia potterymaking survey at MOCA GA; Contemporary publishes book on the creative life »

DANCE
Atlanta cover girl
Atlanta Ballet dancer Rachel Van Buskirk is en pointe on the cover of Dance magazine’s January issue, the most prominently presented rising star in the publication’s annual “25 to Watch” feature.

Started in 2001, the prestigious survey essays top-flight dancers, choreographers and troupes from around the world and dance trends to watch. The 26-year-old Vancouver native who joined Atlanta Ballet in 2006 was nominated by Atlanta dance writer and AJC contributor Cynthia Perry.

“No matter the role, Van Buskirk imbues it with musical and emotional spontaneity,” Perry writes.

This season Van Buskirk can be seen in February’s Twyla Tharp world premiere “The Princess and the Goblin,” as well as in works by Jorma Elo, Christopher Wheeldon and Helen Pickett.

“She has a spiritual dimension, an aura of exuberance that’s compelling,” Atlanta Ballet artistic director John McFall said in the article. “Her whole soul sparkles through her eyes.”

Van Buskirk is the …

Continue reading Culture notes: Atlanta Ballet’s Van Buskirk dance mag covergirl; Kenny Leon in the media swirl »

By Howard Pousner
hpousner@ajc.com

The Atlanta-based Goizueta Foundation awarded a grant of $2 million to Atlanta Ballet, the troupe announced Wednesday.

“The impact this gift will have is huge,” executive director Arthur Jacobus said in a statement. “It echoes the goals we’ve outlined for the Ballet’s long-term growth and sustainability.”

It marks the second-largest single gift the company has received in its 82-year history.

Beyond benefits to daily operations, the gift will establish a long-sought cash reserves fund, which will serve as an internal line of credit for the company.

Atlanta Ballet has been on a creative and operational roll in recent years, especially with the 2010 opening of the opening its headquarters Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre, a $10.9 million conversion of 1955 appliance factory on Marietta Boulevard, on the edge of Atlanta’s burgeoning Midtown West district.

Jacobus, a long-time West Coast arts leader, arrived earlier that year. And long-time …

Continue reading Atlanta Ballet gets $2 million grant from Goizueta Foundation »

By Howard Pousner
hpousner@ajc.com

Count Georgia Shakespeare’s emergency “Save the Theatre” campaign as a success.

The 26-year-old Atlanta troupe, which on Sept. 9 said it needed $500,000 by the end of 2011 to keep its doors open, announced Tuesday that  it had raised $515,000 from 2,000 contributors.

“Our supporters have given us a second chance, and we are determined to transform Georgia Shakespeare into a company that can thrive and excel on a sustained basis,” newly arrived managing director Lauren Morris said in a statement.

Look for news in coming weeks about an expansion of the company’s popular “Shake at the Lake” productions in Piedmont Park and the lineup for its 27th season, to be staged at Oglethorpe University’s Conant Performing Arts Center.

The public support “has energized our entire company,” producing artistic director Richard Garner said. “And, artistically, we are determined to move forward with boldness, delivering productions that will make …

Continue reading Georgia Shakespeare’s emergency funding drive raises $515,000 »