Arts Agenda - Declaration of Independents

The edgiest artistic talent a city has to offer isn’t necessarily found in a gallery. It also flourishes in undiscovered, underground spaces. The “underground” label fits for WellFair, an arts collective that’s created a buzz with its monthly film screenings held literally underground — at MJQ Concourse on Ponce.

Co-founders Eric Panter, Stephanie Macksey, Fritz Hamel and Gabe Hines have been producing WellFair events since August, with the emphasis on short, locally produced films but with a smattering of visual arts and music thrown into the mix. The formula has apparently worked: Attendance has increased each month, Panter says.

Next week, the WellFairers switch gears with Independent’s Day, a fund-raiser of sorts for the free film nights. This time, visual arts and music take the spotlight. The evening features the work of 12 artists, performances by four bands (Rhinoctopus, Envie, Elevado, Good Friday Experiment), a puppet/musical performance group (Empty Jug) and a DJ. Short films will also be shown in the club’s back cafe.

Panter calls it a round-up of the best artists WellFair has championed so far, with the theme of independence apparent in all the art.

“When I first decided to do this, all I could see was like George Bush’s face in front of a flag, which is lame,” Panter says. “But these pieces are more personal. I’m seeing this more in terms of personal independence, letting go of the things that have weighed you down.”

Panter, a film student at Georgia State, says the fund-raiser will also help support some of the collective’s other events. This spring, the group took their favorite indie films to a club in Brooklyn, and they plan to make the northern jaunt a quarterly event. They’re also putting together a kids-themed screening for SciTrek and participating in the Dahlonega International Film Festival this weekend. But don’t look for WellFair to migrate anytime soon to a more established gallery space.

“The simple fact is there’s a pretension level in almost every gallery I’ve been to in Atlanta,” Panter says. “We run far from that. Our events are for everybody. We’re not asking you to come and be like some art snob. We just want you to have a good time.”

Independent’s Day is Thurs., July 3, 8 p.m. MJQ Concourse, 736 Ponce de Leon Place. $4 donation. www.wellfair.net.