Take me out to the ballroom

Ballroom Studios hosts silent auction in effort to secure nonprofit status

Ballroom Studios in the heart of downtown Atlanta has been a part of Atlanta’s alternative art landscape since 1997, not only providing studio space for a small coterie of artists, but a venue for eclectic dance, theater and performance art events.

Like Eyedrum, another of the city’s trend-setting alternative art spaces, Ballroom Studios is applying for nonprofit status, and to that end, it’s hosting a silent auction Sept. 22. For sale will be works by 50 artists, including Kojo Griffin, Cornel Rubino, Woody Cornwell (Eyedrum), Charles Nelson, Jeff Conefry, Kelly Teasley (Young Blood Gallery), Todd Carroll, Dawn Holder, Chris Kowalski (bluemilk), Tom Wegronowski and Jason Wagner.

Proceeds will benefit the cost of securing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and the artist collective’s upcoming season, which includes The New York Mix Tour, a series of performances and master classes by three New York choreographers; an installation by Jen Vanderpool; and exhibitions by New York artist Mark Parrish and Ohio-based Christopher Herren.

“Although the space continually changes with each exhibition, it is our goal to provide a consistent dialogue between artists and the public. Going nonprofit will help us involve artists in all media on a national and international level, says co-founder Daniel Pettrow.

At the auction, patrons may bid on paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, photography, jewelry, and poetry, as well as art books and vouchers for dinner at local restaurants. The evening also will feature poetry readings, performance art and music by Athens band Dromedary and local jazz musicians.

Ballroom Studios’ silent art auction will be held Sept. 22. 6-9 p.m. Preview begins at 5 p.m. 107 Luckie St. Second floor. 404-522-2709. www.ballroomstudios.com.??