Gallery pop-up, The Bunker, ‘Poker Face’ and more for art aficionados hitting the town on First Friday

Local artists lead the way at galleries this First Friday, along with all the great music, shopping, dining and fun everyone expects.

Plus, this First Friday, there’s the unique opportunity to drop in on the old, downtown Cold War bomb shelter that’s now Macon-Bibb County’s Emergency Management Operations Center.

That’s at 700 Poplar St. from 5-7 p.m. Far from how it was outfitted in days-gone-by, the open house will give a glimpse into how the emergency management agency (EMA)  and their community partners use the state-of-the-art operations center to prepare for and then organize recovery from the unexpected.

Spencer Hawkins, EMA director,  said the facility is now affectionately referred to as “The Bunker” and, with its personnel, is key to managing emergencies, coordinating responses and keeping the community safe.

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Another featured event on the schedule this First Friday is a Mindful Headquarters set up in Cotton Avenue Plaza by Macon Mental Health Matters. From 5-7 p.m., there will be free yoga, drum circles and more to stress the importance of good mental health. Drop by and pick up a mindful bingo sheet to explore other goings-on downtown.

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The McEachern Art Center at 332 Second St. is presenting a dozen local artists in an art pop-up Friday and Saturday called “Out to Launch Pop-Up.” 

Johnny Cohen, McEachern director, said for many of the artists, it’s their first gallery showing, so it’s a great opportunity to see many new creators you may not have seen before and pick up works at pop-up prices.

But there are a few you likely have seen before, like Anna Richards, who has been involved in the Macon community and its art world for years and graduated from Wesleyan College with an arts degree in 2023. An abstract artist, she said she’ll be showing primarily new work, some of which shows off her process and experimental nature regarding the use of materials.

“A lot of it is new stuff that’s more about me experimenting with canvas and paper and the ways I test out new materials and how people respond to it,” she said. “I’m always interested in new ideas and have a need to keep developing how I work. Lately, I’ve even been learning how to do beadwork and embroidery. I guess my work at the MAC this weekend is kind of a sample of all my different types of work.”

Richards has had numerous Macon shows but said this will be her first gallery exhibit this year and first showing at the McEachern since 2020.

She said the weekend marks another first for her: she’ll also have work at an exhibit in Atlanta.

“I’m excited Johnny invited me to be in the show and another cool thing about it is being in it with a lot of local artists I haven’t met or shown with before,” Richards said. “I’m also excited to have work opening with The Bakery Atlanta, a collective of artists, curators and art administrators. The exhibit features several artists and centers around textiles and activism.”

Richards said the exhibit is called “Interwoven” and The Bakery Atlanta is presenting it Saturday from noon – 5 p.m. at The Supermarket, an arts and creative event space at The Shops at Otto’s.

Doors open for “Out to Launch Pop-Up” at the McEachern on Friday 4-9 p.m.

At 7 p.m., Cohen said a video will begin showing to launch the art center’s new season with presentations on artists to be featured in the months ahead. Gallery memberships will also be available for the coming season, offering special perks and discounts.

On Saturday, “Out to Launch Pop-Up” is open from 4-8 p.m.

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At The 567 Center for Renewal at 456 First St. popular Macon folk artist Rhonda Miller opens her show, “Poker Face,” with a reception from 5-8 p.m. and an artist talk at 7 p.m. There will be light refreshments and a chance to meet Miller.

Miller calls her exhibit a collection of new work and “portrait stories,” all done in her vibrant style, laden with meaning. Her artist talks are as out of the ordinary as her artwork and just as lively.

“’Poker Face’ is a spinoff of the idea of an exhibit I had at the Macon Arts Alliance called ‘Outsider,’” Miller said. “The reason behind ‘Poker Face’ is that we hide behind masks and other people have no hint of the personal feelings we keep from view; they don’t really know us. I’m doing this because people need to be real and transparent. For our mental health, we have to be transparent — I know I had to learn to be transparent. The portrait stories are about being brave and courageous and then about freedom.”

Miller said there are obvious and less obvious symbols and meanings in her work. For instance, in one, earnings outright say “self-love.” In another, flying birds represent freedom.

Miller, who has undergone many life difficulties including mental health issues and battling cancer, said becoming a painter has been a big part of her healing process. On a First Friday where mental health is a theme, her show is fitting.

In a much better place and frame of mind now, Miller said she finds herself in a new, unexpected place in her work.

“This is the first time I’ve ever painted for an exhibit without depression,” she said. “And it’s been hard, hard. When I was depressed or stressed, I could sometimes do several paintings in a single day. It was easy for me to be creative when I was feeling bad. Now, I’m feeling good, and it’s it takes me a lot longer and a lot more work.”

But she said the journey, and where she finds herself now, has been well worth it.

Miller has created almost two dozen new works for the exhibit and said several are done larger than any she’s done before.

As for her artist talk, as opposed to the typical off-the-cuff talk most artists give, those attending her talk can expect the same poetry, drama and fascinating stories Miller is known for. And, she said there will be a few surprises and some “interactive” pieces with meaningful takeaways related to going through dark times into brighter days.

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Other galleries are having exhibit openings. For details, look up their websites or search Facebook events pages for “May First Friday” for NewTown Macon’s near-complete list of happenings and “First Friday Art Walk” created by The 567 Center for Renewal. While you’re out and about, be sure to walk through Poplar Street’s arch, now transformed into an art installation called “Echoes of Sound.” 

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Also of note:

• Friday at 7 p.m., Macon Pops and The Hay House, 934 Georgia Ave., are presenting “Live on the Lawn” celebrating Hay House’s Annual Spring Stroll Tour of Homes and Gardens.
• Macon Arts Alliance’s Fired Works Ceramics Festival continues through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Round Building at Carolyn Crayton Park.
• And finally, Alice Cooper is at the Atrium Health Amphitheatre Saturday, 7:30 p.m., with his “Too Close for Comfort” tour.

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com. Find him on Instagram at @michael_w_pannell.