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Meet Jill Carattini of Still Point Arts in Alpharetta

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Still Point, a local gallery in North Atlanta, directed by Jill Carattini.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Still Point is a formal, nonprofit art gallery in North Atlanta within the headquarters of RZIM. Our goal is to support local and international artists by providing them a space to exhibit and to offer hospitality to the community by hosting free, high-quality art exhibitions. Our exhibits are quarterly and generally fall into one of four types: those featuring local artists and local collaborations, those featuring international artists and international collaborations, those featuring a historical artist, and those engaging themes of human interest or humanitarian efforts.

Last summer, Still Point featured 16 Atlanta area artists in an exhibition called Selfie: Identity at Arm’s Length. This collaborative exhibit included Hasani Sahlehe, Angela Davis Johnson, Jessica Caldas, Joe Dreher (JoeKingATL), Antonio Darden, Jen Deplour, and Danielle Deadwyler, among other remarkable local talent. Each artist was chosen because their work engages themes of identity in some important way. The opening was well received and attended.

Coming in the spring of 2019 is an exhibition featuring the works of modern artist Marc Chagall. The exhibit, Chagall and the Sacred, features over 50 color lithographs from various series of works. A public reception and lecture for Chagall and the Sacred will be held April 14, from 2:00 to 6:30 PM and includes special guest Vivian R. Jacobsen, author of the memoir Sharing Chagall. Jacobson, now in her 80s, worked closely with the artist and has spent the last 30 years lecturing on his life and works. Her lecture will offer a unique and personal glimpse of the man and the artist whose work is filled with recurring symbols of his own visual memory, childhood fantasy, and Jewish heritage.

Our current exhibit, Beautiful, is open by appointment through the end of February and is a stunning exhibit both in terms of the quality of the work and the humanitarian crisis to which it brings awareness. The exhibit is a collaboration between Still Point and humanitarian organization Wellspring International and features the work of two local artists, Craig Hawkins and Elizabeth Jones. The exhibit is an exploration of portraiture and beauty as seen in impoverished women from India who have suffered from severe burns, often caused by domestic violence. It’s a sensitive, life-giving, non-exploitive exhibit that witnesses to remarkable beauty in the face of suffering. Beautiful hopes to raise global awareness of burn victims in India and optional donations throughout the duration of the exhibit will go toward the building of a new surgical burn and treatment center in India. Don’t miss the chance to see this exhibit while it is still on display!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Still Point has been open since March of 2017 and has hosted seven exhibitions and featured a wide range of styles and artists. It has been an exciting and busy road. I think the biggest challenge has been establishing a reputation and getting the word out there. Being in the far outskirts of Atlanta means convincing Atlantans we are well worth the trip into the suburbs! It’s been a privilege getting to know some of the amazing talent at work on the Atlanta art scene as well as introducing this talent in a suburban context less familiar with the great work Atlanta artists are producing. The artists take a chance on exhibiting because the space is remarkable and our multi-use building assures a wide and diverse viewing of their work. Much of my work seems to be about bridge building between groups, which isn’t always easy but is always a great privilege.

Please tell us about Still Point Arts.
Still Point is supported by generous donors who have come alongside us because they believe in the important work of the arts, which means we are able to operate without the burden of needing to make money off art or sustain ourselves by sales or events. Still Point is an initiative within RZIM, a Christian organization that believes in coming alongside culture in supportive and hopeful ways.

It is truly remarkable to be able to say that we exist as a space hoping simply to offer hospitality both to artists and to the community. Because we see artists as shaping and caring for culture, we want to support them. One of the highlights of my job is being able to tell artist that there is no submission fee or percentage taken on sales but that 100% of the sale will go directly to them. And further, in a world where the arts are often the first programs to lose funding, we believe it is vital to offer high-quality art experiences and encounters to the public free of charge, keeping art accessible to anyone and not simply a privileged few.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I feel quite lucky that this gallery exists in the Atlanta area. One of the things I love most about Atlanta is how benevolent, hospitable, and socially aware we are as a community. This extends beautifully into much of what I see being produced by Atlanta artists. I am happy to be a part of this and support them in their endeavor. Still Point had the privilege of working with William Massey III as one of our 16 artists in the Selfie exhibit last summer. Massey is a freelance artist, sculptor, and leader within social organizations and health facilities throughout the city of Atlanta. His work continues to push for unifying communities, caring for culture by uplifting public spaces, pursuing social and racial reconciliation, and creative comfort for those and hardship.

Also a part of the Selfie exhibit were the five amazing women from the Living Melody Collective: Danielle Deadwyler, Jessica Caldas, Haylee Anne, Angela Davis Johnson, and Angela Bortone. The Living Melody Collective combines varied mediums of painting, music, dance, performance, and photography to create artistic interventions that focus on civic engagement, awareness, and community impact.

Atlanta is a huge city with the heart of a small community and its artists are at the forefront of leading the charge of care. I am proud to be a part of a gallery that can support these efforts and continue to keep these unifying visions a possibility. Had our headquarters been anywhere else, we would be attempting to serve a different community, but being in Atlanta really is a gift to the life and vision of Still Point.

Pricing:

  • As a part of our current exhibition, Beautiful, a full color, stunning book of photography was created by Wellspring International, featuring many of the images from the exhibit and more. This book is for sale for $60 and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the building of a new surgical burn center for impoverished burn victims in India.
  • Limited edition, signed, and numbered prints by artist Craig Hawkins can also be purchased at www.craighawkinsart.comThe prints come in two sizes and start at $85.

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Haylee Anne Photography

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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