ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Baring All For The Arts A luddite’s soft approach to creativity
A Funny Tragedy This Valentine’s Day weekend, The Ringgold Playhouse will bring John Cariani’s “Love/Sick” to life in five performances that outline a brilliant account of the relatable highs, lows, and every feeling in-between that comes with being in love. Opening this Thursday, “Love/Sick” brings a unique storytelling structure to the stage. Told through a series of nine short plays strung together into one act, this 85-minute performance set in an alternate suburban reality highlights the parts of a relationship that are rough around the edges intertwined with comedy. Cariani connects the tragic qualities in his play with a fitting quote from Fitzgerald, “The sentimental person thinks things will last—the romantic person has a desperate confidence that they won’t.” Although each play has its own plot, they all come together to capture a larger picture that forms a satisfying whole. With names such as “Obsessive Impulsive” and “The Singing Telegram”, each section is sure to introduce identifiable scenarios and laughable settings. You’ll find yourself slipping into the characters’ shoes as you experience the all too familiar feelings of love and heartbreak in this wholesome community theatre experience. Performances will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Ringgold City Hall (in advance or at the door) or online at eventbrite.com., and are $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors and students. — Lindsey Clute
By Jessie Gantt-Temple Pulse contributor
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I feel like I’m still in the middle of some crucial development that is tenuous and on-going.”
10 • THE PULSE • FEBRUARY 13, 2020 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
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ITHOUT ACCEPTING COMMISSIONS AND NO upcoming shows, artist Laura Henley is hard to pin down but her work is worth the search. As she is a proud luddite, yet understanding some social media is needed, her work can only be seen on her Instagram @LLHenley. “There’s a certain pace of work that I strive for—that would be a massively slow pace—that is really at odds with the speed of my iPhone and of people’s expectations for representational art. Or any art,” she says. “I feel like I’m still in the middle of some crucial development that is tenuous and on-going. I’m like jello that’s partially set—I need to stay in the fridge and be left alone.” Remembering a desire to draw
since the age of three, she proclaims she is not self-taught and has received guidance from a ton of developed artists over the years. Mary Carrithers, Danny Filipino, and Shelly Winters were integral parts of her early development then when she was older, she took workshops with folks like Mia Bergeron, Hollis Dunlap, Angela Cunningham and Seth Haverkamp. As many artists like to have goals of more shows or to learn a new tech-
