Welcoming Global Voices to The Art Center
The Art Center has opened our newest exhibit this week! Beyond Borders II: Global Voices is bringing world perspectives to Johns Creek through a gorgeous and varied collection of artwork.
Those of you who have been with us for a while may remember our first Beyond Borders exhibition. Held in 2018, Beyond Borders was an invitational show, curated to represent the diversity of cultures and viewpoints that exist in our region.
For Beyond Borders II we held an open call, receiving work from local artists, out-of-state artists, and our first international submission from the UK. We have 40 artists from ages 15 to 80 exhibiting 64 pieces (though the UK pieces are unfortunately still held up in customs). We have artists representing Korea, West Africa, Palestine, Belize, Colombia, Ukraine, the Baltics, and more. The work spans mediums from painting and sculpture, photography to mixed media, Hanji to cyanotype. Each piece tells a story, and common themes among them include connection and displacement from homelands and ancestral ties, personal identity, and global injustices.
Curator Althea Foster’s Statement
I initially began considering global culture as a subject for an art center exhibition in early 2018 during a visit to the farmer's market in Dekalb county. As an African American woman—a hyphenated American—I have long understood that culture is not a fixed thing. It travels with us, changes with us, and is carried through memory, family, place, tradition, and lived experience. Living in the vibrantly diverse city of Johns Creek made me even more conscious of the many ways culture can manifest itself. I wanted to create an exhibition that celebrated the varied ways we, as human beings, experience and understand the world.
The works in Beyond Borders II: Global Voices offer deeply personal perspectives on culture and identity. Some celebrate heritage and tradition; others explore migration, displacement, cultural exchange, or the experience of living between worlds. Together, they resist the idea that any culture can be reduced to a single image or story.
What I find most compelling about this exhibition is the individuality of these voices. The artists remind us that our differences are real and worth honoring, but so are the experiences that connect us. In a community as culturally diverse as ours, Beyond Borders II offers an opportunity not simply to look at art from different perspectives, but to listen—to the stories, memories, histories, and experiences behind it.
Global Art Week of Workshops
In conjunction with Beyond Borders II, we are hosting a Global Art Week featuring new workshops teaching art techniques and traditions from around the world. We’re holding it during Fall Break, when our regular classes are not meeting, so students who find themselves missing art class that week have something new to try! Several of the classes also allow older children to join with their parents for a fun family activity during the school break. Many of our instructors for these workshops are visiting instructors, so don’t miss this chance to learn from them!
Explorations in Pen & Ink
Our drawing instructor Susan Calderon leads a workshop exploring different patterns and drawing styles from around the world in miniature pen and ink works. Good for ages 11 and older.
Petrykivka
Petrykivka is Ukraine’s UNESCO recognized Folk Painting Tradition. Learn to paint florals in this beautiful folk style with guest artist Olga Verpatova! Good for ages 11 and older and available for both a morning and evening session.
Alebrijes in Clay
Practice your handbuilding skills and make some whimsical animal figures inspired by the fantastical Mexican folk sculptures. This workshop is good for ages 8 and older.
Bento Box & Ramen Collage
Susan Calderon leads a fun mixed media workshop creating a cute collage inspired by ramen dishes and bento boxes. Good for ages 11 and older.
Motanka
Learn the Ukrainian art of Motanka and make a little horse doll from jute. No sewing is required for this workshop, and it’s good for ages 11 and older. Both morning and evening hours are available.
Gond Art
Gond Art is a traditional painting style from central India. Join instructor Vintee Patidar for a relaxing and instructive exploration of this painting tradition. Good for ages 18+
Henna
If you love the beautiful lines and designs of Mendhi, the art of Henna, this workshop is for you! Good for ages 13 and older.
Mandala
Mandala is a beautiful and meditative art style. This workshop will go over basic mandala designs for beginners and pro students alike. Good for ages 12 and older.
Beyond Borders II will be on view until October 17, when you can join us for our closing reception from 6:00-7:30 pm. It’s an incredible show filled with beautiful and moving pieces, featuring techniques you may have never seen before. The exhibition and the reception are both free and open to the public, so come by and take a look!
