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EVENTS10:04 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2009

Atlanta Celebrates Photography throughout monthBy Catherine FoxFor the AJC

If you dont know that October is photography month in metro Atlanta, you will soon.

Thanks to the efforts of Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the home-grown

organization dedicated to promoting the art of the lens, photographic work of everydescription reigns supreme every fall. And not just in galleries and museums acrossthe state.

Tierney Gearon, Courtesy of Jackson FineArtYoull encounter it just about everywhere you look. For example: Sublime Doughnuts in Midtown, the Smyrna PublicLibrary, the REI sporting-goods store near Clairmont Road, Backstage Restaurant and Lounge in College Park. You getthe picture.

During the 11 years since its inception, ACP has evolved into one of Atlantas liveliest arts institutions. In addition toexhibits, its programs encompass lectures, public art projects services for professional artists and participationopportunities for amateurs.

As its scope has broadened, so has its mission. Originally conceived to promote photography, ACP now sees itself as acommunity-builder. Says executive director Amy Miller, We want to make culture happen.

That means oiling the whole system: developing new audiences, encouraging patrons, expanding knowledge makingAtlanta, Miller says, a place where artists can thrive and stay.

To that end, ACP initiated a number of new programs this year. Greenhouse, for example, is a series of meetings inwhich photographers can discuss ideas, ask advice and share information. Each meeting will include all types ofphotographers to encourage cross-pollination.

In another new venture, ACP has recorded video interviews with 10 of Atlantas established photography collectors,asking how and why they became collectors and what its meant to them. The videos, which will be available through theAtlanta Contemporary Art Center and Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, are intended to inspire a new generationof patrons.

Miller and Michael David Murphy, program manager, operate ACP out of a converted darkroom at Showcase School ofPhotography. Their equally tiny budget, even smaller in this recessionary year, is $227,000, with an additional $40,000 inin-kind expenditures.

So, how does this mouse roar? Our model is built on partnerships and collaboration, Miller says.

The impressive guest speaker list is possible, for example, because ACP joins forces with galleries that show the artists,museums and other organizations. Gregory Crewdson, internationally known for his elaborate staged tableaux, appears athe Rialto Center for the Arts on Oct. 15 because ACP was able to partner with the Society for Photographic Education(SPE) to attract him.

Crewdson didnt know us, but he knew SPE, Miller says.

In turn, SPE chose Atlanta in October for its regional meeting so that it could piggyback on ACPs exhibits and programs.Its this kind of synergy that has fed ACPs momentum, buoyed the organization during these hard times and made it arole model for the benefits of pooling strengths and resources.

Vincent Laforet, Courtesy of Matre Gallery Vincent will speak at

SCAD on Oct. 7th and his exhibition will open at Matre Gallery on

October 8th.Renee Cox, Courtesy of Spelman College Museum of Art Renee

Cox's "Missy at Home" is part of the exhibit "Undercover:

Performing and Transforming Black Female identities" now on

display at Spelman College Museum of Art.

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