Today we’d like to introduce you to David Raderstorf.
A group of artists from Buckley Lakes wanted to expand and find local support and a home to establish an art organization. Several members had connections with the city government of Norcross. The city was open to having an art group established in Norcross. Norcross provided and renovated the old library for Kudzu. The facility is in the historic district of Norcross proper.
Kudzu just celebrated its 10th year anniversary. Kudzu has now over 80 artists as members. We have 8 artists in residence that work out of these spaces. Along with these artists, we provide workshops, lessons, classes and demonstrations of various art forms at our monthly meetings.
Kudzu has a gallery that is open to the public to display members works. The gallery is changed out 6 times a year. Our receptions are open to the public and cash prizes are awarded during the receptions. We also provide the City of Norcross with art for their public facilities. Kudzu does free public projects, offers scholarship for under privileged children in the Norcross school system. Many of the artists at Kudzu are recognized and award winning members.
Has it been a smooth road?
Keeping a sustained membership.
We had a struggle with the city of Norcross due to the state law that requires cities to put out all city rented property for lease every few years.
Costs of operations.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kudzu Art Zone story. Tell us more about the business.
We do all forms of fine art.
We are known for instruction and quality of art and artists.
We are proud of the growth of our artists’ talent and our high standards.
We don’t prejudge, are open to everyone and everyone helps each other improve.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The art business is hard today. Government at all levels has cut back on funding. Photography and printing of originals is also a factor. Cheap reproductions from the East are passed off as original and it is hard to enforce copyright laws out of the states. The public needs to be informed about the value of arts in education. Children that study art and music perform much higher on their SATs.
Contact Info:
- Address: 116 Carlyle street
Norcross Ga 30071 - Website: www.kudzuartzone.org
- Phone: 770-840-9844
- Facebook: Kudzu Art Zone
Created with Nokia Smart Cam
Image Credit:
David Raderstorf
Issac Alcantar
Kari McCall Waltz
Susan Verrochi
Sharon Nichol
June 7, 2017 at 5:38 pm
I am a watercolor artist from Arizona. I’ve lived in Grayson GA almost 2 yrs. Now, I’m looking around for art groups to see what I can get involved in.~~~Sharon