VISUAL ART
An overarching look at architect who created the St. Louis arch
The Museum of Design Atlanta takes a thoroughly modern turn with its next exhibit, “Eero Saarinen: A Reputation for Innovation,” a retrospective of the Finnish-born architect opening April 14.

Curated by architect, architectural historian and Georgetown University professor Mina Marefat, the exhibit tracks the design principles Saarinen followed and his achievements, including the Saint Louis Gateway Arch, the TWA Terminal at New York’s JFK Airport and Washington’s Dulles Airport. The show also explores a little-known chapter of Saarinen’s professional life when he served in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II.

Also known for his furniture design, including a long association with Knoll, Saarinen died in 1961 at age 51 during an operation for a brain tumor. Design Within Reach still carries his “tulip” chairs as well as a variety of tables and ottomans.

“Eero Saarinen: A Reputation for …

Continue reading Culture notes: MODA to open exhibit on modernist Saarinen; MOCA GA benefit; Contemporary plans renovation »

ARTS
Woodruff appoints fund-raising leader
The Woodruff Arts Center has named Janine A. Mushol, who has worked for five years as the United States Olympic Committee’s chief development officer, as the Atlanta organization’s vice president of advancement.

Musholt, who begins June 1, will be responsible for Woodruff fund-raising efforts including its annual corporate campaign, as well as coordinating with the Woodruff’s divisions (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum of Art and Young Audiences) on their fundraising efforts.

The Woodruff and its divisions raise $35 million annually in contributions to arts presenting and arts education programs.

Under Musholt’s leadership, the USOC raised more than $50 million annually and increased contributions each year from 2009 through 2012. She created its development strategies and led its fundraising program, including gifts, capital projects, direct mail, telemarketing, grants and gift planning. On her watch, digital …

Continue reading Culture notes: Woodruff Arts Center appoints fund-raising leader; ‘Go West’ exhibit coming to High »

THEATER
Atlanta Lyrics’s 2013-14 plans do not include Strand
The Atlanta Lyric Theatre will stage a production of “Ragtime,” April 12-28 at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre. The restored 1935 movie theater has served at the Lyric’s home for five seasons, but it won’t be its venue much longer.

After the 2012-13 season-ending “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (June 7-23), the troupe has announced its 34th season will be staged elsewhere because it and the Strand could not reach a new rent agreement.

The Lyric, in fact, has announced shows for its 2013-14 season without specifying dates, a matter no doubt contingent on availability at its next venue.

The five-show lineup: Mel Brooks’ “The Producers,” Frank Loesser’s “Guys and Dolls,” Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies,” “Annie the Musical” and Monty Python’s “Spamalot.”

Additionally, the company will bring back the Irving Berlin holiday favorite “White Christmas.”

In a letter on its web site, Lyric artistic director …

Continue reading Culture notes: Atlanta Lyric planning new home; changes for Norcross arts groups; Duluth selects public artist »

THEATER
High school music nominees announced
Nominations for the Shuler Hensley Awards (also known as the the Georgia High School Musical Theater Awards) are out, and Fayette’s Starr’s Mill High School leads the pack with 14. Other nominee leaders are Atlanta International School and West Forsyth High School (12 each) and Milton High School (10). In all, 32 schools received either a nomination or an honorable mention. Full list: www.shulerawards.org. The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre awards ceremony will be at 7:30 p.m. April 18. Tickets, $16, via Ticketmaster outlets, 1-800-653-8000, ticketmaster.com. HOWARD POUSNER

Continue reading Shuler Hensley high school musical nominees announced »

MUSEUM
Designer lets them eat cake

Lisa Humphreys of Couture Cakes will demonstrate the techniques behind her artfully designed creations, and even serve samples, during a “Drink in Design” presentation, 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Museum of Design Atlanta in Midtown. Humphreys’ cakes are featured in “Darkly, Deeply, Beautifully Blue,” a living room vignette inspired by Marie Antoinette that was created by Caryn Grossman and Chris Buxbaum of cg creative interiors. It recently took best of show honors in “The South’s Next Wave: Design Challenge” exhibit, on view through Sunday. “Drink in Design” is $10, $8 seniors, $5 students. 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-979-6455, www.museumofdesign.org. HOWARD POUSNER

ARTS
WonderRoot seeks fellowship applicants

WonderRoot arts center in Reynoldstown is accepting applications for its second Walthall Artist Fellowship, a career development program for metro Atlanta visual and performance artists at pivotal points in their careers, through …

Continue reading Culture notes: MODA designer lets them eat cake; WonderRoot seeks fellowship applicants »

ARTS
Fox tours put landmark in the spotlight
Anyone who has ever attended a Fox Theatre performance knows that the gilded 1929 movie palace is like a show unto itself, a magic carpet ride of Moorish and other exotic design influences.

Beginning April 1, the Fox will be the main attraction during new walking tours of the landmark at Peachtree Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue.

The hour-long tour will visit more than 10 locations throughout the building, including the main auditorium and balcony, mezzanine lounges featuring the original furniture chosen by Eve Fox, the globetrotting wife of movie-mogul William Fox, the Egyptian Ballroom and Spanish Room.

The employee-led tours will not travel onstage or backstage.

They will be offered at 10 and 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 10 and 11 a.m. Saturdays. Tickets — $18, $15 military and seniors, free for children 10 and under — via 1-855-285-8499, www.foxatltix.com or the Fox ticket office.

The Fox’s in-house tours …

Continue reading Culture notes: New Fox Theatre tours put landmark in the spotlight; Saturday Evening Post covers at Booth Museum »

THEATER
Serenbe’s 2013-14 season
The south Fulton County theater troupe Serenbe Playhouse has announced the lineup for its fourth season, which it has dubbed “A Season of Change”: a world premiere adaptation of Margery Williams’ “The Velveteen Rabbit” (June 7-July 27), Lee Blessing’s political drama “A Walk in the Woods” (June 27-July 14) and “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock[CQ] Musical” (July 25-Aug. 11). A major fundraiser, “The Dali Gala,” will precede the season on May 18. 770-463-1110, www.serenbeplayhouse.com. HOWARD POUSNER

DANCE
New Georgia Ballet leader named
Marietta-based the Georgia Ballet has selected a new artistic director, Alexandre Proia, who begins April 1. The French-born Proia danced with Boston Ballet, New York City Ballet and the Martha Graham Dance Company. In addition to responsibility over the professional dance company, the choreographer-instructor also will assume interim responsibility for the nonprofit Georgia Ballet School. HOWARD …

Continue reading Culture notes: Serenbe Playhouse’s 2013-14 season; Georgia Ballet names new leader »

VISUAL ART
City to dedicate Freedom Park public art

“Tree of Life,” a sculpture by Mexico City artist Yvonne Domenge, will be dedicated into the City of Atlanta Public Art Collection at its new site in Freedom Park at 4 p.m. March 20.

Located along North Avenue east of Oakdale Road, the bright red work features an abstracted 16-foot-tall “tree” and a pair of companion “seeds” (4-by-3-foot orange pods).

The grouping was part of a public art exhibition, “Interconnected,” in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The artist then decided to donate the six objects to cities across the U.S. Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs submitted a proposal that brings Domenge’s related trio to Freedom Park.

The artist will speak at the free ceremony, as will Mayor Kasim Reed and other city officials. Domenge also will give a free lecture on her public art practice and process at 6 p.m. March 20 at the High Museum of Art’s Hill Auditorium. 404-546-6788, www.ocaatlanta.com.

Benefit fuels a …

Continue reading Culture notes: City to dedicate Freedom Park public art; photo ‘Crusade’ benefit; Kahlo-Rivera designers to speak; Parks show closing »

“Dr. Seuss’s the Cat in the Hat” and “1001 Nights: A Love Story About Loving Stories” are highlights of the Center for Puppetry Arts’ just-announced 15-show 2013-14 season.

The puppetry center has sought to produce “Cat in the Hat” for 35 years, artistic director Jon Ludwig said, but rights were an issue until the smash run of the National Theatre of Great Britain’s adaption by playwright Katie Mitchell. “This was the book that got me reading,” he added, “and it should be a fun show for the kids and adults who have grown up reading it.”

“1001 Nights,” co-produced by the puppetry center and Flying Carpet Theatre Company of New York City, is an early work by Tony-winning composer-lyricist Robert Lopez of “Avenue Q” and “The Book of Mormon” fame. The story is about a princess who saves a kingdom, with cliffhangers and catchy tunes.

“Flying Carpet and the center have been mutual fans of each other’s work for some time,” Ludwig said. “So when we got to work together on an original …

Continue reading ‘Cat in the Hat,’ Lopez’s ‘1001 Nights’ highlight puppetry season »

By Howard Pousner
hpousner@ajc.com

The Hudgens Center for the Arts has announced four finalists for its second Hudgens Prize, which comes with a $50,000 award plus a solo exhibition at the Duluth arts center.

The finalists for the prize, one of the country’s largest for visual artists, are Christopher Chambers, Robbie Land, Derek Larson and Pam Longobardi. All of the artists are from Atlanta, except Larson, who is a Statesboro resident.

Chambers is primarily an installation artist whose work merges multiple disciplines. Land is a live-action and animation filmmaker and installation artist. Larson, director of Georgia Southern University’s 4D/New Media program, is a digital/multidisciplinary artist. Longobardi, a Georgia State University art professor, is an environmental artist.

They were chosen from among 370 applicants by a three-member jury: Doryun Chong, associate curator at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); Toby Kamps, chief curator of Houson’s Menil Collection; and …

Continue reading 4 Georgia artists are finalists for $50,000 Hudgens Prize »