WonderRoot is the first organization that welcomed me to Atlanta. This non-profit offers space and access to all kinds of hard- skill training as well as use of essential resources for any sort of creative artist. WonderRoot features a Digital Media Lab full of the most up to date Macs with the most up to date software from Final Cut Pro to Animator to ProTools to Photoshop and on and on. It sports a full recording studio with a huge sound board and massive live recording space with mics for days. There is ample wall space for exhibiting visual art, a dark room, a FREE performance space in the basement, a silkscreen machine and a ceramics kiln for freaks sake. And get this, all of this is FREE for youth under 18 and $60 a year (yes a year!) for adult members. WHAT?!!!
I've run youth programs and 24 hour lock-in art-making experiences at WonderRoot, held popular education workshops and presented performances, edited films, shot films, and attended countless and deeply inspiring artistic experiences at this easily accessible and welcoming Atlanta treasure. This place is the truth. And best of all, WonderRoot is the most diverse space I have been to in what can be a very segregated artist community in Atlanta. When I say diverse, I every mean age, race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, and political perspective present at the same time talking, collaborating, and encouraging each other to make meaningful, excellent art.
I was recently honored to be interviewed by their Interactive/Integrated Media Manager Floyd Hall about my creative journey. This is a man with vision and he's in the right place for sure. Special thanks to him for the opportunity and shout out to Chris Appleton, the ED who is a real leader in Atlanta arts and activism work. You can check out the interview at:
http://wonderroot.podomatic.com/entry/2014-09-04T14_00_52-07_00
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