Summer Weekends: Deliciously Art-filled

The exciting thing about summer weekends -- there’s always something fun to do -- festivals, concerts, and my two favorites, outdoor markets and art. This weekend was filled with my favorite things.

Friday evening, I attended the opening of Shana Robbins’, Supernatural Conductor, at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. The exhibition features paintings, videos and drawings that link womanhood with the Earth. Her bold images are graced with the soft femininity of lace and dollies. Iceland, Mexico, rural Georgia and New Mexico, set the stage for poignant videos that evoke thought and emotion, as they bring her Tree Ghost to life. Ms. Robbins graced opening night attendees with a Butoh dance to America’s, You Can Do Magic, adding the last and perfect layer to her multi-dimensional installation. Indeed, Shana Robbins did magic. Supernatural Conductor is on display until September 19th, once you see it, you’ll be glad you did.

Farmers markets, once the best kept secrets around, are more popular than ever. One of my favorites is the Marietta Square Farmers Market, open every Saturday through November from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in Marietta Georgia. I’ve watched this gem morph into a market boasting almost sixty vendors -- very different from the ten vendors of its early years. Two of the original and must-see vendors are Callan’s Lemonade Stand and Allene’s Farm Fresh Produce. More vendors mean an abundance of very delicious delights. Ogeechee Peaches, Zio Micu’s Garden, Granny’s Goodies (the cabernet sauvignon wine jelly is “must have more” scrumptious), Annie Okra’s Barn, Emily G’s Jams of Love (tarragon makes her red zinfandel jam wow you), and Bernhard’s Bread Bakery -- to name a few -- add something special to the mix. In addition, the restaurants surrounding Marietta Square make the Marietta Square Farmers Market a perfect shop and dine excursion.

Additional photos of Shana Robbins’ Supernatural Conductor exhibit and Marietta Square Farmers Market can be seen here.