Critical MASS 8 Exhibit Opening

Critical MASS 8 – Visual and Literary Exhibition Opening

UPDATE:

You have no doubt seen many cancellations from other Arts events in the Shreveport/Bossier area due to the CoronaVirus outbreak.  We have have multiple discussions here at the Shreveport Regional Arts Council about how to move forward – as safely as possible – with the Critical MASS 8 events kicking off tonight.  After thoughtful consideration, we would like to inform you of a few changes, as follows:

1. Thursday, March 12:  Tonight’s Critical MASS 8 Performance Showcase is going to be closed to the public.  The Showcase will be performed for the Critics.   However, we will not have an OPEN Performance.  In order to maximize the audience opportunity, we will professionally record and stream the Performance Showcase online (hopefully live).  Please look for Facebook Live Streams at https://www.facebook.com/Shrevearts/

2. Friday, March 13: Tomorrow’s Critical MASS 8 Visual and Literary opening at ARTSPACE will also be closed to the public.  We will record and stream the announcements. Kwame Dawes, Literary Critic, is not here.  He has cancelled as he is a health risk for CoronaVirus and would need to fly in.
   Please look for Facebook Live Streams at https://www.facebook.com/Shrevearts/

Artspace will reopen Saturday, March 14 to the public at regular hours.  We invite you and your families to see the exhibition, and we hope to stream professional filmed Critical MASS performances early next week.

As we are navigating these difficult times we recognize that other events will be affected, and we will announce them as they come.  Sorry for the last minute changes, but we feel we need to do our part to mitigate social interaction during the early stages of the CoronaVirus outbreak.

Original Text:

If you are looking to celebrate artwork of all kind, there’s variety abound in downtown Shreveport in March. Artspace will become the home of more than 200 original artworks created by regional talent for its annual art competition and exhibition. Critical Mass 8 will inhabit a multi-dimensional and multi-discipline collection of paintings, sketches, photography, sculpture, literature and more.

The event is the anchor of the organization’s critic’s series. Renown national art critics will travel to Shreveport to review and critique the pieces, ultimately naming the Best in Show for visual and literary categories.

5:00 pm: Opening of CM8 @ artspace – Bob Pincus, Introduces Critics
o 5:15 pm: Announcement of Critic’s Choice Award:
 Manny Martinez & Lauren Smart
o 5:45 pm: Literary Review – Kwame Dawes
o 6:15 pm: Visual Review – Shantay Robinson
o 6:40 pm: Q & A – Bob Pincus Moderates
o 7:00 pm: Adjourn to CELEBRATION of the Artists!

“The first part is for all of the Ark-La-Tex to see the strength of all of the artists in northwest Louisiana in one space and for those artists to receive critical review,” said executive director Pam Atchison.

The second goal is to present the artists with the opportunity to have a conversation about the work that’s designed to help them expand their reach outside of the region, Atchison said. Some past winners and participants of the critic’s series have increased national sales and exhibition shows.

Critical Mass was formed with a mission of offering constructive critiques to area artists that could be used to further their skills and professional careers as artists. By inviting out-of-town art professionals, it ensures bias-free feedback, Atchison said.

The winners will receive a $2,000 prize to use toward producing their solo exhibition or presentation later in the year. Their professional critiques will be published in 318 Forum and The Shreveport Times.

The annual competitive series further works to mold, guide and reinforce the artists’ skills and merits and offer the encouragement needed for them to continue their path.

“It’s beneficial for people who are artists developing their talent and developing in their career,” says Marketing Director, Casey Jones. “This truly is a encapsulated development moment for artists who are truly interested in being professional artists.”