Greetings

"Old Servants," by Charlie "Tin Man" Lucas was last year's 3D first-place winner

 in the ArtsRevive Juried Art Exhibition and greeted guests at this year's

 members-only reception. The event is free to the public beginning

 Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 from 11-5 p.m. and Sunday, March 18

 from 1-5 pm. The show will be open on Fridays and Saturdays

 from noon until 4 p.m. through the end of April.

Invitation to Venice

 

Selma folk artist Charlie (Tin Man) Lucas has an invitation to Venice!

He's among four self-taught, African-American artists selected by the American Folk Art Museum to create works on site in the courtyard of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi. 

Four African-American graffiti artists will create murals. The installations are in conjunction with the 2011 Venice Biennale, and according to the art museum's press release, "will be powerful reflections of the rich variety of African American artistic expression during this preeminent showcase for international art."

  Above, Lucas serves as an art instructor at the summer Selma Art Camp.

Below, his mixed media creation, Joy Ride, won third place in the ArtsRevive spring juried art show in Selma. He also won first in the same category and first in 3D.

From Trash to Future Landscape

Selma Art Camp kids designed a landscape of the future from trash salvaged by their instructor, Charlie "Tin Man" Lucas.

Double click the photo, and look closely. There are houses of the future designed from paper dispensers, roads and walkways from old siding, fencing from former bathroom tile, cornerstones from molding, and even people and an American flag.

Recycling with The Tin Man

Young artists at the City of Selma Art Camp this week are learning how to recycle scraps of anything and everything with Charlie "The Tin Man" Lucas.

They're making 3D sculptures of imaginary creatures from old jeans, tickets, wire, buttons, yarn, paint, string, beads, clothespins, plastic, spools and styrofoam.

The camp is under way at the city ceramics center in the old Dallas Academy. Some 50 children are enrolled, and more can take part in the second Art Camp July 13-17.

Inside the Tin Man's Gallery

Here's a peek inside The Tin Man's art studio next to Everyman Books. What do you suppose these recycled parts could be? My best guess is a raptor.
The gallery is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Street in the same building as the bookstore and next to Holley's Farm and Garden Center...all at the foot of Water Avenue.

Checkers, Anyone?

Not far from the Old Depot Museum, Everyman Books offers checkerboard tables on its front porch. Bring your checkers and play awhile, or go inside and browse hundreds of interesting books and novelty collections. The proprietor has everything from old stoves and quilts to jewelry, handbags and area travel information.

Also in the building, Charlie "The Tin Man" Lucas might be found working in his art and sculpture studio.

Then, on the second Friday every month, participate in "Open Mic" Night. Read
your poetry or sing and play your song. Everyone is welcome!

Everyman Books is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Street next door to Holley's Farm and Garden Center.

Tin Man Art at the Bookstore

The folk art sculptures of TheTin Man (Charlie Lucas) can be found all over Selma. Guest photographer Lucy Battle, formerly of Selma, found these at Everyman Bookstore on Martin Luther King Street. I'm trying to figure out what the different scrap materials are. Of course, the hair is made of barbed wire, but do I see pieces of vinyl siding? Since I haven't checked out this bookstore yet, it is now on my list!

Selma Gator

Selma, Alabama may not have the proliferation of alligators that Naples, Florida has, but we do have an occasional one, most often the kind sculpted by Charlie "Tin Man" Lucas. This gator is created with a post-hole digger, bicycle pump, tomato cage and ...? I think it makes interesting yard art!
Visit more Camera Critters HERE.

"Holding the Energy"

What can you do with rusty old shovels and chains and grill racks and...?

Charlie Lucas (The Tin Man) made a work of folk art called "Holding the Energy." Here it's on display at a recent Arts Revive show downtown. The Tin Man's work as a "scrap metal recycler" has gained him international fame. His art has been exhibited in France, New York City and New Orleans. He's taught art classes at Yale, and his story and works have appeared in more than 40 books.