PLAY voted one of Atlanta's 'Best of 2009'

Thanks to Stan Woodard and Burnaway.org for selecting PLAY as one of their best exhibitions of the year!

The idea of “play” has gained a prominent position as a point of research lately, so for the Spruill Gallery to cover the territory was not a great conceptual leap. The implementation of the idea is where the power of the exhibition lay. Curator Hope Cohn’s statement directly addressed the sociology of play and set the stage to celebrate “artists [who] use the creative (playful) act to interpret the world around them.” While considering the potential of each individual artist’s work, the curator established new connections by her arrangement of works and thoughtful use of negative space. It may be the difficulty of developing themed group shows that has encouraged fewer of them being mounted locally; with a strong, simple concept, curator Cohn selected work from among a geographically diverse group of artists and proved the words in her curatorial statement. I’m encouraged that suburban Atlanta continues to provide a venue for exploring relevant ideas through contemporary art—to the benefit of supporters and artists alike.

You can read the full article here.

PLAY Date this Saturday

The artist talk for PLAY is this Saturday from 2 - 4 p.m. If you still haven't been to see the exibit, this is a great time to do it, and if you have already been then it is a good chance to come play some more and meet some of our artists. Hope to see you here!

Review of PLAY at Burn Away

There is a great review of PLAY by Joyce Youmans at Burn Away today! Joyce has some great photos of the exhibition in her review if you still haven't been by to see the show.

At a time when the art world is experiencing a major financial crunch and arts-related news is particularly bleak, Spruill Gallery was inspired to turn a negative into something positive. The result? An artistic stimulus exhibition titled “PLAY.” The exhibit features national and local artists who explore the relationship between art and play. As the viewer walks through Spruill, the artists’ creative enjoyment is palpable. Their energy combines with the viewer’s own curiosity to create an engaging, and at times physically interactive, experience.

See the full review of this show at Burn Away.

Speakeasy with Hope Cohn

In case you missed it, Creative Loafing's Curt Holman interviewed Director Hope Cohn for Speakeasy this week.

From a restored farmhouse in Dunwoody, the Spruill Gallery offers a quaint oasis of culture among the strip malls, giant restaurant chains and fancy condo complexes. The current exhibit PLAY, on view through April 25, showcases the lighthearted facets of creativity from more than a dozen artists, including Avantika Bawa, Barrett Feldman, Jason Fulford and Staci Stone. As Hope Cohn observes her first anniversary at Spruill, the exhibitions director explains PLAY's origins and how she expects the gallery to maintain its accessibility when its new, larger facility opens in 2010.

Click here to read the rest of the interview.

PLAY and the economy

Dekalb Neighbor's article on local Dekalb arts organizations and the economy features Spruill and our current exhibition, PLAY.

The center is also hosting an exhibit, entitled “PLAY,” to help create a more
positive spin on these economic times. Spruill Art Director Hope Cohn said,
“This is a collection of joyful pieces with meaning that will hopefully allow
people to relax and think positively during these times. “Spruill has always
been there for artists and the community and that is something that is not going
to change no matter what,” she added.

Check out the rest of the article in the Dekalb Neighbor here.

Thanks to everyone who came to the opening of PLAY!  Make sure to keep your calendars open for our other upcoming PLAY date. Our gallery talk is Saturday, April 4th from 2 to 4 p.m.  Stop by to see the show anytime Wednesdays through Saturdays between 11 and 5 p.m.

Check out some of the pictures from our opening last Thursday!

PLAY

March 20 - April 25

Opening Reception:

Thursday, March 19

6 - 9 p.m.

Artist's Talk:

Saturday, April 4

2 - 4 p.m.

Gallery Hours:

Wednesdays - Saturdays

11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Spruill Gallery presents PLAY. In a time of great economic challenge, PLAY offers a relief and much needed opportunity to let ourselves enjoy and celebrate the importance of play. Featuring artists Avantika Bawa, Philip Carpenter, Jason Fulford, John Douglas Powers, Staci Stone, Black & Blue, Jeffery Merrit, Barrett Feldman, Martha Whittington, George Long and Mario Schambon.