eyedrum 25th Anniversary Party

CRITIC’S PICK: To properly celebrate 25 years as one of Atlanta’s mission-essential experimental arts incubator/producer/presenter/facilitator institutions, eyedrum organizers couldn’t limit the festivities to one day. Consequently, a two-day 25th birthday party has been scheduled for Sat. and Sun., Nov. 11-12, at eyedrum’s latest incarnation in the West End.

Somehow, some way, on a journey spanning three decades and five locations punctuated by countless art miracles and near-death non-profit encounters, eyedrum has managed to persevere thanks to stalwart community support and gritty leadership at the helm.

“The secret to our success is entirely due to eyedrum’s mission and value statements and, above all, the current and past board members,” says current eyedrum board chair Will Lawless.

A board member from 1998 to 2004, in 2018, Lawless was re-engaged to help produce the eyedrum 20th anniversary fandango at the Metropolitan studio lofts in the West End. Since then, eyedrum has moved into its current gallery/performance space, a 2,700-square-foot former auto parts warehouse grounded with the perfunctory urban industrial vibe and graced with unexpectedly exceptional acoustics. Last spring, eyedrum spearheaded the revival of the Atlanta Arts Alliance, a coalition of small and medium arts organizations in Atlanta anchored in the visual arts.

“We will continue growing our collaborations and partnerships in pursuit of the ultimate goal of securing a permanent home by the time eyedrum’s 30th anniversary comes around,” Lawless says.

eyedrum 25th Anniversary festivities include “The Pinata,” an interactive installation by Allison Rentz featuring small artworks by eyedrum artists; Space Dust (George Long and Dan Carey Bailey); “Fire Art” courtesy of Charlie Smith; and music by Stompbox Clarinetist.

The concert lineup for Sat., Nov. 11, includes Maria Chavez, DJ Chooch, Krystal V, Anagrams (Blue Voices album release), Ipek Eginli with Kebbi Williams, Van Orhari, and Club Morph (after party). — Doug DeLoach