Albany Area Arts Council launches Artists’ Network for local creatives

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ALBANY — Color, music and poetry filled the Albany Area Arts Council Gallery Thursday night as about 50 local artists and prospective patrons got together to celebrate the launch of the Albany Area Artists’ Network.

The AAAN will serve as a local networking source for creatives of all types – visual or performance – and community members in need of artistic services. It’s also a professional development resource, providing opportunities for education and potential work.

Kris Letlow, a local artist and one of the founders of the AAAN, said creating community is important for anybody, but especially for Albany-area artists, whom she often said feel dispersed throughout the community without a central network.

“Particularly in Albany, we have creative soil here,” Letlow said. “There are so many creative people from Albany and in Albany now. We want our art community to be more visible, active and lucrative.”

More than 100 people have signed up to join the network, since its soft launch at the end of 2023. Once artists sign up, they can create a free portfolio on the site, which allows them to describe their creative specialization, share a portfolio of their work and connect with potential clients.

Letlow said it’s important that businesses and patrons can find local artists easily to ensure local creatives get that support. The first artists’ network of sorts that Letlow was involved in was the D’Town Arts Coalition. The group hosted events like the Zombie Run or “Superfancy’’ Art Shows, a tongue-in-cheek display of not so fancy art. She later became part of the Georgia Artists Guild of Albany, but both of these groups fizzled out over the years.

More than a community, the group of artists advocated for each other and ensured their fellow creatives were getting paid for their work. These networks also allow artists to build teams and tackle large projects together, like the series of murals Letlow and a crew have been painting at Procter & Gamble since 2021.

Launch party attendees were feeling that sense of togetherness Thursday night. They craned their necks over a large collaborative collage project. They got up on a stage to participate in a “show and tell” open mic, while others watched them perform or listened to them describe their work.

The creatives weren’t afraid to be vulnerable and step outside of their comfort zones.

For Alberto Zamudio, who immigrated to Albany from Mexico and dedicated himself to the restaurant industry, it was his first time sharing his artwork to an audience. Two of his murals hang in his family business, Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant.

Meg Anderson performed a poetry piece for the first time. Jabriel Davis talked about reigniting her passion and trying new skills in her artistic pursuits. James Malphrus shared some of his writing and nature photography with the audience. He said everywhere he looks he sees something remarkable. So he captures it with a camera or through written word.

His wife, Rebecca, is one of the organizers for AAAN. She said she plans to help with grant-writing for the network.

Rebecca Malphrus said art often seems underappreciated in the Albany community, and that it can be difficult to find like-minded creatives to connect with.

“These are the people I want to be around,” she said, gesturing around the room.

She said she believes the AAAN is a good start to help get the word out and helping artists to keep going by giving them opportunities to make money through their work.

Jazmyne Butler, an 18-year-old ASU international student from the Bahamas, performed a contemporary dance piece. Butler is a part of the ASU Dance Club, which is restarting after closing down during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is joined by four other dancers who say they intend to build it back up.

Butler said she felt welcomed by the crowd of onlookers. She said she likes how the AAAN gives room for more than just the fine arts.

Letlow said they weren’t sure what the launch night look like – if anyone would even sign up for the show-and-tell. However, she said she ended the night feeling inspired, grateful and motivated.

Volunteer performers filled up the schedule and showcased their work until the very end of the launch party. For almost two hours, the audience listened intently, even participating in some musical performances.

Letlow said she sees potential for regular community events.

Christopher Jenkins, a local artist, said the AAAN is a positive step for Albany.

“This is what we need here,” he said. “More of this – what we’ve got right here in this room.”

Visit this site to get involved: https://albanyartistnetwork.org/

Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan
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Staff Photo Lucille Lannigan
[email protected]