Visual Arts

When I moved to Cabbagetown a couple of years ago, I quickly learned what it means to be “on the other side of the tracks.” Literally. For those of us who live south of the CSX and MARTA rail lines that slice through the heart of intown Atlanta, getting around can be problematic.

In his native Barcelona, Martin Frias was an integral part of the arts and culture scene from the 1970s through the 1990s, mostly photographing rock musicians but also striking up a friendship with Salvador Dali.

The city's charitable fundraising king/coiffure creator Carey Carter is back as co-chair this year for the 3rd annual Bodies as a Work of Art benefit for the Chelko Foundation, set for Sept. 29 at The Pilot's Country Club. And this year, the Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans curling iron C.E.O. has some able assistance in the form of Sara Wolf Mixon, a dear friend of the late Debbie and Paul Chelko.

The first time Atlanta writer Dana Hazels Seith attempted to interview Blondie for the new Clermont Lounge coffee table book, No Cameras, the legendary dancer threw her out of her Ponce de Leon Avenue dressing room. For good measure, Blondie also tossed Seith on her second and third attempts to talk to her.

Three giant (as in building-sized) murals were installed in the King Historic District yesterday in the latest Living Walls effort to turn structures into canvasses. One such “canvas” is the former Henry’s Grill at 345 Auburn Avenue, where a small crowd turned out to watch an acclaimed muralist at work.

There's a big new mural of Rep. John Lewis on Auburn Avenue at Jesse Hill Jr. Drive. He has a campaign office on the same block.

Fans will get a two-night crash course in the history of the Athens music scene this weekend, thanks to two icon-studded bills as part of Art Rocks Athens: The Music. Tonight at the 40 Watt in Athens, the music of The B-52’s, Pylon, The Side Effects, R.E.M., Is/Ought Gap, Club Gaga, The Fans, and Kevin Dunn will be celebrated. On Saturday night at the Georgia Theatre, music vets and newbies on the Athens set will pay tribute to Method Actors, Squalls, Kilkenny Cats, Dreams So Real, Oh-OK, Bar-B-Q Killers, and others.

The “starving artist” cliche exists for a reason; this is not an easy way to make a living. But twenty-seven-year-old Jessica Caldas is defying the stereotype. She recently left her day job at the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation to focus on her art career full-time.

Atlanta artist Steve Penley had a message for the city Friday, so he took to his paints and brushes to best express himself. In black paint, Penley wrote: “Atlanta is very lucky to have a great mayor and Ga. has a great Gov. Get a grip everyone. It’s weather!” He posted it on his artist Facebook page. So why did Penley feel the need to address the ongoing criticism of Georgia governor Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed? For starters, Penley’s work has been unintentionally ridiculed all week.