Mint Gallery in Atlanta has closed its doors, suddenly and sloppily. How could this happen to such a well known, well used space? Studio Noize has recorded episodes there. Your boy JBarber had his thesis show there. There was a history and reputation to the gallery. Today we bring back Jasmine Nicole Williams, aka Jiggy Jas, back for an emergency episode of Studio Noize. We unload our thoughts on the closing of Mint and how poorly it was all handled. We discuss the precarious nature of being an artist and how devastating it can be to have your life and livelihood threatened by bad business. We talk about the changing landscape of arts funding, the need for community and the courage it takes to advocate for yourself and your fellow artists. Listen, subscribe, and share!
Episode 191 topics include:
the chaos of Mint Gallery closing
non-profit arts funding
how poor leadership effects working artists
being transparent
the dream of having a studio
what creates culture
what comes from the chaos
Jasmine Nicole Williams is a Black American visual artist and organizer from Atlanta, GA. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Art in Printmaking from the University of West Georgia in 2017. Her work explores her southern, black, and femme identities through printmaking and murals to inspire people to dive deeper into their humanity.
Influenced by the work of artists like Elizabeth Catlett and Emory Douglas, Jasmine believes in the transformative power of portraiture, print, and public art. She understands the role of art and the need for that art to be accessible to the people as a tool to advance the working-class struggle. With a deep interest in craft and process, Jasmine makes dignified work that reflects and relates to everyday people and injects them with a spirit of optimism toward the future.
Since receiving her BFA, Jasmine’s work has been showcased at Prizm Art Fair, Perez Museum Miami, ZuCot Gallery, Eyedrum, MINT Gallery, and Echo Contemporary. She has received residencies from Hambidge and Midtown Alliance. She was awarded grants from RedBull, Sprite, WISH ATL, and Dream Warriors Foundation and fellowships from Southern Graphics Council International and TILA Studios. She has worked with [adult swim] and Nike. Currently, Jasmine is the 2023 recipient of the Living Walls Abroad Fellowship.
Jasmine continues her practice in Atlanta, GA.
See more: Rough Draft Atlanta: MINT Gallery abruptly closes its doors at MET Atlanta + AJC: Mint gallery closed suddenly, leaving artists scrambling and unhappy + Jasmine Williams website + Jasmine Williams IG @jn.ooomami
Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio
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