Sulfur Studios invites the public to enjoy art, food, and more at it on Fri., April 1 in conjunction with First Fridays in Starland. This First Friday will also see a new solo exhibition open at Sulfur while a recidency is closing.
“There’s always so much going on, and this April First Friday in particular is made special by the return of Sulfur Street Fair, the opening of this exhibition by John Alleyne, and the closing finale of a fantastic residency project by Monica Jane Frisell and Adam Scher,” said Samantha Mack, Sulfur Studios Gallery Assistant and Director of Public Relations.
In the Main Gallery will be a presentation of new work by John Alleyne. In his solo exhibition, …in a perfect world, I would be perfect, world., which will be on display from March 31 - April 23, 2022.
“I am inspired by Black men, women, and youth, sitting in barbershop chairs; as they reveal moments of vulnerability, anxiety, and introspection that speak to their experience at large. As a result, my current work is a meditation on the Black experience,” said Alleyne in his artist statement.
Alleyne said he aims to find common ground in the Black experience of the barbershop and hair salon as a safe haven or place of sanctuary. In this work, he challenges the ideas of beauty and stereotypes of manhood and masculinity by presenting symbolic stories within the aesthetic of hairstyle-guide posters, common in Black barbershops and salons.
“Using spray paint, and silkscreen-collage, I explore ways of creating hybrid practices. The works present an aesthetic of complex textures reminiscent of urban walls and public surfaces. In addition, themes such as the Caribbean, African diaspora, Christianity, Hip-Hop, and urban street culture reflect my creative process, and by proxy, reflect my lived experience,” said Alleyne.
Alleyne will be in town from Baton Rouge for the event, and will give a brief artist talk and sign copies of the catalogue created in celebration of the exhibition.
(Catalogues may be pre-ordered at sulfurstudios.org)
In Sulfur’s ON:: View Residency space will be the finale of “Portrait of US,” a project of the Nomadic Photo Ark by Monica Jane Frisell and Adam Scher. Using their mobile darkroom and office space called The Ark, Frisell and Scher have collected stories and portraits of members of the Savannah community through large format black and white photography.
“Frisell and Scher, will be here as we celebrate the finale of their Residency. They will have a pop-up exhibition on display in the residency studio featuring silver gelatin black and white prints made in their portable darkroom. They’ll also showcase some of the photos made by participants from their Pinhole Camera Workshops held during their time here,” said Mack.
On 39th Street between Bull St. and Desoto Ave. will be the Sulfur Street Fair, featuring local arts and food vendors, plus kids’ art activities and live painting with Latin Chicks food truck.
One of those vendors is the Savannah Stage Company which is going into their 10th season this year. People will get to meet the cast members of their upcoming production of “The Jungle Book.”
“Savannah Stage Company is so excited to join Sulfur Studios for First Friday in April. Come meet the cast and we will have jungle themed face painting, coloring pages, plus get info and tickets for Savannah Stage Company presents Family Fun Day featuring The Jungle Book,” Jayme Tinti, the artistic director and co-founder of the Savannah Stage Company.
Another vendor is The Culturist Union (TCU). TCU is the first-of-its-kind Black-owned Coffeehouse and Artisan Marketplace opening soon in that area at 3129 Bull St.
“We will have our coffee cart at the event serving coffee and more importantly we will be there to let our community know that we are here. We get to know the people in the neighborhood we will be in and they get to know us. We are excited to be here and to serve,” said Elbi Elm the founder of The Culturist Union.
Other vendors include Maxx Feist, C. Austin Woodworking, Moon Child Studio, Lovelane Designs, Meaningful Boutique, Rhoot Man Beverage Company, Phil Musen, Fidler Supply, Peanut Butter Shrimp Newspaper, DeCeption Theater “Cycle-Rama of Magic”, and OAK Magazine.
“Our mission is to make Savannah a destination for art and culture in the Southeast by supporting established and emerging artists and engaging a diverse community with creative programming by developing awareness and appreciation of the arts. This really comes to life on First Fridays, when people show up for the arts in a very real way,” said Mack.
More information can be found at sulfurstudios.org
