By Emily Clark ‘15
The Center for Outreach in the Development of the Arts (CODA) annually presents Exhibition Momentum, a one-night juried art show that intermingles visual and performance art. This year, the event takes place at 409 S. Main from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on February 27th, during South Main’s Trolley Night.
“I love this event so much, and have worked so hard on it, because I truly believe this is one way we can bring Memphis back to its original title, ‘the hub of music and art,’ ” says Exhibition Momentum project manager and CODA Fellow Taylor La Porte. According to Taylor, who has been coordinating the show for the past three years, “The performance and visual art have continuously gotten better. We are able to see more of an eclectic mix, from painting to thread work, live painting, videos, sculptures, music, dance, and more.”
The show allows a large audience to see art that they would not normally see, as any Memphian between the ages of 18 and 30 is allowed to submit work for consideration. “Additionally,” says Taylor, “it gives the artists an opportunity to show off their work in a gallery with judges who are well-known in the arts community.” This year the judges are Marco Pave, Terri Jones, and Elizabeth Lemmonds. An Audience Award is also selected by attendees during the event.
While Exhibition Momentum is sponsored and put on by the Rhodes CODA Fellows, Taylor is eager to explain this is in no way a Rhodes-only art show. Rather, she sees Rhodes students— artists or fans—as members of the greater Memphis art community: “I think Rhodes students have a sense of drive that allows us to spearhead these projects into the community. A lot of students are continuously engaged with the art community, from writing art magazines, planning events, volunteering at museums, or simply going to art shows and concerts.”
Not feeling artsy enough for an art show? Taylor would disagree: “The beauty of art is that you don′t have to be a genius to understand it. You can make up your own identification for a painting or sculpture that has significance to you. It’s like what Bob Marley said, ‘When music hits, you feel no pain.’ "
The Rhodes CODA Fellows are supported by the Robert and Rudy Priddy Charitable Trust, and strive to promote leadership to expand the impact of the arts in the lives of those in the Rhodes community, Memphis, and beyond through innovative thinking. This is the fifth year CODA has planned and sponsored Exhibition Momentum.