Join us for the opening Reception of ‘Common Place’, accompanied by a Curator’s Talk and Performance by Camila Romo!
COMMON PLACE
CURATED BY HOLLY ANDERSON, LAYLA BOWMAN, JAYDA MITCHELL, & EMMA SPAULDING
FEATURING WORK FROM: TEDDY ADKINS, CHANCE MORGAN EARLES, NIK HUDSON, ALEX JAMESON, BRITT KNOWLES, DAKOTA KOWALSKI, LENNYN PREVOST, CAR RIEDE, CAMILA ROMO, VLADA VAKHLYUEVA, SARA YOSHIDA, & ISAAC ZIMMERMAN
Common Place makes room for the mental debris we usually hide, an intentional brain dump that claims space for the thoughts we dismiss as ordinary. It can mean a journaling practice, a collection of your thoughts, emotions, information, & everything in between or what your brain needs or desires to release. It can mean a home of understanding, a built or natural community, a space of unity. There is value in remembering the little things, the overlooked, and the inner noise. Giving thoughts and feelings room to breathe—allowing them to take physical form with clarity & security to be true—provides relief, comfort, and solace. Often, what is released can be shared with all kinds of different people. We are ultimately having similar experiences from which communities can be found. While our differences are important to notice and are tied to our identities, we frequently place too much emphasis on what we don’t have in common than what we do. From this exhibition, sonder is evoked. Sonder is the awareness that every person carries an entire universe within them. These works reveal how our private interiors overlap in quiet, unexpected ways. Everyone’s life is just as complex and valuable as the next person. Find peace in the togetherness and communities brought by Common Places.
CURATORS BIOS
Holly Anderson: I’m a senior at Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences. I’ve always had a love for creating my own art, but I recently found a passion in curatorial work; creating a space for art and bringing it to life. Alongside this, I completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training, which deepened my understanding of movement and mindfulness as a form of art in itself. The blend of visual and embodied art shapes how I see the world, and I’m excited to discover where this program takes me and all the knowledge it offers!
Layla Bowman: I’m a senior at Chattanooga Christian School. I grew up seeing art heavily involved in my family’s lives and it got passed on to me from my grandad. I love painting, drawing, sculpting and writing. I like trying new styles or new mediums but my favorite is impressionistic and/or tonalistic oil painting. I want to further my knowledge about art and get more experience in it and learn more styles from more people.
Jayda Mitchell: I am a senior at CSAS with a strong passion for the arts. I have participated in multiple art competitions and earned several awards for my work. Through my involvement with an organization called Splash, I created artwork that was displayed and sold in galleries, allowing me to gain experience in both the creative and professional aspects of art. Currently, I am taking two AP Studio Art classes to further develop my skills. This past summer, I attended Governor’s School for the Arts, where I refined my craft and expanded my artistic perspective.
Emma Spaulding: I’m a junior at CCA as an art major. I work in a large variety of mediums and am always looking to discover more techniques and styles, and develop my skills. I’m always staying busy, whether it be with crocheting, sewing, drawing, painting, poetry, and many other creative outlets.