Purple Iris, 2'x2', Photography, $45.00

Purple Iris

We Are Going On The Family Feud

Portia, Latrice, Vicki, Micah, Valeta, Karen
LET'S GO BUSSEY!

My sister Portia had the ingenius idea to send out an email blast to all of us to see if anyone would be interested in auditioning for the "Family Feud."  She is an avid viewer of this game-show as were our parents when we were growing up.  To her surprise, "Everyone replied with a resounding 'Yes,' and where do we need to be?"  So on May 5, 2013, right before Mother's Day, 11 am, at the Atlanta Civic Center, conference room E, we tried out for the Family Feud.  

People from all over the southeast came out, filling several conference rooms to play a fun-filled game of Family Feud.  Families attending were from Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana.  The Bussey family played against the Ruiz family.  The game was intense and we answered mock questions such as "Name a way a person could acquire a large sum of money."  Trying not to get a strike, I was fortunate enough to answer correctly with the answer of "Inheritance."  During the round of play, we were being video taped and from this audition tape, the decision makers would review it and inform us via postcard within 3-6 weeks if we would gain a true appearance on the Family Feud.

After several telephone calls, text messages, and emails from all of us asking if she received the postcard in the mail, on June 17th the postcard finally arrived.  When Portia called me to let me know that she had received the postcard, I could hear an echo in my head of us chanting with large cheesy smiles on our faces, "We're going on THE FEUD!"

Following our audition, we all enjoyed brunch at Mary Mac's Tea Room.  All of us are children and grandchildren of siblings, and we know and appreciate true southern cuisine.  Mary Mac's Tea Room was established in 1945 by Mrs. Mary MacKenzie.  Following World War II, Mrs. MacKenzie was an enterprising woman in search of a living.  Now owned by hand-picked successor John Ferrell, Mary Mac's Tea Room offers a quaint, southern atmosphere with food preparation still done like when their doors first opened.  The establishment offers the crispiest, juiciest fried chicken, pork chops done right, ribs dripping with savory, tangy sauce, fish, shrimp, oysters and more than 30 fresh vegetables including fried okra and true macaroni-and-cheese.  It was a nice time for all of us to get together, break bread, have good conversation, and catch up with one another face-to-face.  Like a true Sunday go-to-meeting dinner.  

So look for The Bussey Family on the Family Feud and wish us luck!

Etsy Craft Party At Cacao-Atlanta

Cacao-Atlanta

What a great combination?  Chocolate, handcrafting and a great get-together.  On June 20, 2013, Etsy launched a community craft day. The Etsy Craft Party brings together handcrafters in Atlanta to express why art is important for our community and indulge in some of the world's finest chocolate.  Cacao-Atlanta creates some of the finest chocolate in the world and we definitely indulged.  Noting my love for cooking, creating, and eating, it was an honor for owner Kristen Hard to allow us to gather at Cacao on Peachtree Road and craft together.  As a formally trained chef, Hard discovered her niche as a chocolatiere after watching Carribbean women crush the cacao bean with their bare hands, and discovering the many aspects of chocolate.

Our organizer for the Etsy Craft Party was Stella Tompkins and she did a great job of bringing us together.  It was nice to meet other crafters who had talents including theatre arts, fashion design, collage art and mixed media, metalsmithing, glass beads, and hand bags.  If you get a chance, check out their work.  These talents include Neci Harmon, Valeta Goode, Makeila Wardlaw, Paula Guerin, Marcy Lamberson, and Marnie Wardlaw.  Everyone's style is unique and different.  In addition, we had the greatest service person at Cacao-Atlanta by the name of Tricia whose first love is theatre acting.

It was a pleasure ladies to meet you all.  

Hope we all get together again.  

Have fun doing what you love.

Stella Tompkins-Etsy Craft Party Organizer

Cacao-Atlanta owner- Kristen Hard

And The Winners Are...

Best In Show:  Kevin Horvath, 'One To Many,' ceramics

Best Faculty:  Sharon Weiss, 'Pomegranate Pair,' pastel

Best Student:  Janis Patterson, 'Tiny Tea,' ceramics

Peoples' Choice:  Sherry Robinson, 'Peacock,' oil on canvas

Honorable Mentions:

Sam Alexander, 'Intersection,' watercolor

Jenny Baughman, 'Lirael,' necklace

Terry J. England, 'Architect Crow,' mixed media

Here are the winners of the Spruill Arts Student & Faculty Juried Exhibition.  

Thanks to all that came out to the opening reception.  

We were blown away by the flood of support.  

Stay tuned for information on upcoming events.  These artisans love their craft and it shows.  

The exhibit lasts from June 14 through August 17, 2013.

Great Community Support For The Spruill Arts Student & Faculty Juried Exhibition

Thank you to all that attended the Spruill Arts Student & Faculty Juried Exhibition's Opening Reception and for making it a success. We had hundreds of people there to show support for local artists. As informed by instructor Kristen Wilder, the event was the largest for the gallery.  Ninety one artists displayed their talents and the love of their craft in this show.  Sculpture, paintings, pottery and jewelry were among the different pieces on exhibit.  All selections were made by juror Michael Rooks of The High Museum of Art-Atlanta.  This display will be available for viewing and purchases from June 14 -August 17, 2013.  The Spruill Gallery & Gift Shop is located at 4681 Ashford-Dunwood Rd., Atlanta, GA 30338, 770-394-4019.  The pieces that I have available are called "Sphere" and" Simplicity."

Artist - Valeta Goode

Featured Artist - Norm Citron

Tim and Me

Featured Artists

Instructors/Artists Joanne Hernandez & Kristen Wilder

Sign of Hope @ The Spruill Gallery

And What Is The Jury's Verdict?

The Jury has decided to accept my jewelry designs into the Spruill Arts Student Faculty Juried Exhibition, June 14 - August 17, 2013. When Jennifer called to let me know that two of my pieces were selected for the exhibit, I was tickled pink.  It was hard enough to complete my pieces by the deadline of May 23, 2013 by 5 p.m. with all the finishing touches, but waiting to hear the selections from juror Michael Rooks is a totally different ball game.

Mr. Michael Rooks is the Wieland Family Curator Of Modern & Contemporary Art at The High Museum Of Art Atlanta.  Need I say anything more?  This is the boost my ego needed.  Every now and again, inspiration and creativity do not come so easily.  The news today definitely makes me feel better.

To stir the pot a little more, the exhibit will award prizes to its participants.   This exhibition will also showcase all mediums currently being produced at the Spruill Center For The Arts.  Prizes include:  

Best In Show

Best Faculty

Best Student

2 Honorable Mentions

People's Choice

Prizes will be awarded at the Opening Reception, Thursday, June 13, 2013, 6-9 p.m. at the Spruill Gallery, located at 4681 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA  30338, 770-394-4019.

Last but not least, I'd like to tip my hat off to the Spruill Center's Educational Center.  The administrators and instructors are like family.  It's a great place to learn, fellowship, and test the waters with your creativity.    Kristen, Terri, Mindy, Jennifer, Susan, Tom, Bob and the list goes on, are great people to work with and are great community craftivists that keep the arts active, vibrant and alive in the Atlanta community.  

Support the arts at the Spruill Center!  We hope to see you at the Opening Reception.