Nina Simone

“Who Am I? The Song Lyrics of Nina Simone” Exhibit

at The Art Institute of Atlanta

ATLANTA (GA) – As part of the upcoming “Nina Simone Experience,” premiering in Atlanta in April, the art foundations department at The Art Institute of Atlanta created a competition challenging students to create original work inspired by the song lyrics of legendary singer Nina Simone for a special exhibit entitled “Who Am I? The Song Lyrics of Nina Simone.” The exhibit opened on March 2 in the Janet S. Day Gallery at The Art Institute of Atlanta, and will be on view through April 3. An artists’ reception will be held from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday, March 11. Both the exhibit and the reception are open to the public at no charge.

The “Nina Simone Experience,” presented by the Nina Simone Estate, is a multi-genre, multi-faceted national celebration that will include a professional fine art exhibition, panel discussions, spoken word art, performing arts, and a fashion show. In addition to The Art Institute of Atlanta, various locations around Atlanta will host celebration events, including Spelman College. Most of the events in the Atlanta “Experience” will take place between April 16 and April 25, 2010, in the city’s historic West End Community at Space Atlanta and Thirteen TEN Events, located at 1310 White Street.

The artwork by the first, second, and third place student winners will be on view from April 16 through 25  at Thirteen TEN Events. The students will be presented with their awards at a special reception on April 21 at 7 pm.

The “Experience” kicks off on April 16 with a collector’s reception at 6 pm and a public reception at 7 pm at Thirteen TEN for “I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl,” the fine art exhibition , followed by a live performance by Nina Simone’s daughter, Simone.

Nina Simone, who was not only a singer, but also a pianist, arranger, and composer, was often called  “The High Priestess of Soul” and “The Queen of African-Rooted Classical Music.” In addition to being a compelling and accomplished musical artist, Nina Simone was a force in the Civil Rights Movement. For more information about all the events of the “Nina Simone Experience,” visit www.ninasimone.com.

The Janet S. Day Gallery is located at The Art Institute of Atlanta, 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, 100 Embassy Row, Atlanta, GA 30328.  Gallery hours are Mon. – Thurs., 9 am – 9 pm; Fri., 9 am – 5pm; Sat., 9 am – 3 pm.  For more information or directions, call 770.394.8300 or 1.800.275.4242, or visit www.artinstitutes.edu/atlanta.

The Art Institute of Atlanta (www.artinstitutes.edu/atlanta) is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The Art Institute of Atlanta, including its branch campuses — The Art Institute of Atlanta – Decatur, The Art Institute of Charleston, The Art Institute of Tennessee – Nashville, The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, The Art Institute of Washington, and The Art Institute of Washington – Northern Virginia —  is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of The Art Institute of Atlanta. The Art Institute of Atlanta is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of more than 45 educational institutions throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion, and culinary arts professionals.

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