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Health & Fitness

What is ART OUT LOUD 2011?

Learn about the FREE concert & live art exhibition that is - ART OUT LOUD 2011 Happening this Saturday evening- July 16, 2011 from 6-9pm at the Workhouse Arts Center.

Art Out Loud 2011: by MG Stout & Allen Pryor

The Art Out Loud event that took place last fall introduced the community to an alternative, interactive art exhibition. Resident Artist, MG Stout and Big Green Cherry (BGC), a local indie rock band united to create an exciting multi-media art show. Music and Art: a pairing almost as perfect as peanut butter & chocolate! Songs echoed and enriched the expressionistic pastels, while the images illustrated inspired lyrics. The show was built upon MGS’s latest series  REAL Life Drawing: My Eye on Washington DC, that was translated into a book by Sunbury Press and corresponded with it’s release.

MGS says of her recent work, “I needed to get out of my studio (and my head) to connect with the outside world so that people might actually be able to participate with the imagery. My next requirement was to find a material that was easy to travel with and would somehow connect with my subject. Enter my a-ha moment - NEWSPAPER! The Washington Post directly related to my subject: daily life in the District of Columbia. It was the perfect choice as it would be conversant with the images I wanted to create. Goosebumps ran down my arm and I knew that I was on the right track.”

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It is no mystery why the leader of BGC, Edd Welsh, and MGS partnered for the event. BGC’s music is a blend of subtle nuances and edgy interpretation of the lives we live. Their style of music was a perfect match for the art on hand.
MGS shared the inspiration of selected pieces while BGC set the mood with a symbiotic musical tempo. The result was a finer appreciation for Mary’s art and a deeper connection between the artist and audience consecrated by musical anchors. Then the microphone was turned over to BGC.  MGS set up her easel stage right and began sketching live!Drawing from the energy of the crowd, as well as the band, Mary captured the ambience in her very raw and special way. The entire process was streamed live and projected on a large screen for all to see. When MGS was not on stage a video documentary of the locations and her creative process rolled as the band rocked electrifying sets to an energized audience. (for 2011 the feed will be on her canvas on so everyone can see a painting being born!)
This year Art Out Loud is going to be even bigger! The entertainment roster has been tripled! Performances include new music by Starryville, a homegrown alt-rock favorite with a huge following. There will be an acoustic set by Thrive, a rising singer/songwriter duo, and of course Big Green Cherry will get their rock on!

One of the biggest treats of the evening will be introducing Northern VA to the artists latest muse: The Philadelphia Mummers Woodland String Band.  They will be in full costume and will perform classics from Billy Joel and other favorites.   While the music plays,  MGS will be stage right creating artwork right before your eyes.

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Her latest series, Endangered Species, will be on exhibit and the audience will get a sneak peek of images to be published in her upcoming book:  REAL Life Drawing, My Eye on the Philadelphia Mummers, which is scheduled for release later this year.Guests will be able to enjoy Uncle Fred's BBQ and there will certainly be a cash bar. 

Art Out Loud is blend of visual and musical works that celebrate community and the value of the Arts in our lives.  On July 16, 2011 you’ll find MGS seizing the moment with brilliant colors, buttery lines and playful banter, while the bands perform their hearts out.  So save the date.

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