Art for chART’s Sake

Just when you thought it was safe to walk down an alley again … BOOM! Avondale salon owner and local art-o-phile Geoffrey Richardson puts on another art walk.
This Sunday, April 27 from noon-6 p.m., Richardson will present chART-Aid, a fundraising block party in the alleys surrounding Avondale Point to support local public art efforts.
Richardson and his wife Noel are the owners of Lava Salon and he has been dubbed by some in the neighborhood as “the unofficial mayor of Avondale.” He is the founder of chART Outdoor Initiative & Gallery, leading the effort to cover the backside of the shops along Savannah Highway in local graffiti, giving artists a large and unique canvas to display their talents, while giving the formerly bleak Alycia Alley a splash of character.
But public art costs money, so Richardson’s latest venture will raise money directly for artisans to continue adding to the visual landscape of the area. One of the things happening this Sunday will be a large Pollock-esque mural. Redux Studios will oversee the project created by donated “garage paint” with pieces then being sawn up at the end of the event and distributed to the biggest donors.
Live performances, music, deejays, and painting will be going on all day along Alycia Alley. There will also be a mobile art gallery and food trucks. The party will cross Savannah Highway where artists will be muralizing the long alley between Mellow Mushroom and Voodoo Tiki Bar and Lounge while slam poets wax … poetic!
The chART  Aid event will be held this Sunday, April 27, 12-6 p.m. For more information about the chART Aid event visit www.facebook.com/chARTinitiative. The official after-party will be held at Tin Roof, located at 1117 Magnolia Road.