Masterpieces by Mouth

Fine

By Grace Huseth

Anyone who has gone through their child’s artwork knows how difficult it is to narrow down the pieces worthy of display on the refrigerator door. Kate March feels the same way when selecting art each year for a collection of prints, greeting cards and calendars for the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA).

March represents 66 adaptive artists as a national artist counselor of the association, which is headquartered in Europe. As she connects with mouth and foot artists, she continues the 66-year tradition of the international MFPA to create a partnership of painters who are unable to use their hands but have adapted to make a living using their talent.

The profits generated by the MFPA come through the sale of reproduced products that are sent out twice a year in the mail with the option to purchase. This October, MFPA USA will be sending their Christmas and Holiday package, containing holiday greeting cards and a yearly desk calendar. All the items they offer are reproduced from the stunning artwork painstakingly produced by 800 artists worldwide.

“All of our artists have painting as their life’s work. This is what drives them and they are constantly committed to excel in their artwork,” March said.

From her office in Atlanta, March advocates for artists such as Mariam Paré, a quadriplegic mouth-painter who discovered she could continue her love of painting after attempting to sign her name with her mouth. She now paints in a variety of mediums including acrylic and oil as an associate member of MFPA. Mouth-painter Keith Jansz best described the power of painting, “I love to feel the brush dance across the canvas and give back to me the sensation of movement which my body now lacks.”

MFPA encourages artists to use the organization as a platform to become professional artists. MFPA’s motto “self-help, not charity” displays pride in becoming artists recognized for their talent rather than their disability. “MFPA not only provides financial support but the ability to work within the community and contribute,” March said. “The association is not a charity, but bolsters individuals to do what they love. A world without beauty is a world without hope, and I am reminded of that hope every day in the stories and visionary works of the amazing artists of the worldwide MFPA.”

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The criteria for acceptance into the association is equal, if not more rigorous, than any other arena for contemporary commercial artists. Paintings are judged by an artistic jury including other mouth and foot painting artists who keep standards high. While they believe all art is a beautiful display of self-expression, jaws should drop when it’s revealed that MFPA paintings have been painted with adaptive techniques.

Full and associate members of MFPA receive a regular salary that can help them move away from government assistance, while student members receive a monthly stipend to cover art supplies, tuition and assistance. The financial support from MFPA allows the artists to enjoy a sense of work security and put their canvas front and center in their lives to produce even better quality work.

“It is an honor and a privilege to work for the artists of MFPA USA. I am humbled that they trust in me to give their extraordinary work the deference it so truly deserves,” March said. “As I review the hundreds of paintings from all over the world, I am made acutely aware of the transformative healing power of art.”

For more information, visit mfpausa.com.

Visual Arts

Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants: Dive beneath the surface of the world’s rivers in search of bizarre and extraordinary species of freshwater fish. Daily. $18-$20. fernbankmuseum. org

The Dark Crystal Ball - Gathering Of Gelflings: Join the Center for a masquerade ball in celebration of our special exhibit Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic. Aug. 29. $150-$300. puppet.org is one of the biggest hitmakers of all time with 56 songs in the Billboard Hot 100. Aug 23. $74-$204. foxtheatre.org

▲29Rooms - Expand Your Reality Experience: This multi-sensory event offers visitors 29 experiences under one roof, with each room revolving around its own theme. Daily. $34-$49. 29rooms.com

3-D And Small Works Art Exhibition: 77 small works and 26 sculptures from local Atlanta artists. Closes Aug 15. Free. atlantaartistscenter.org

Any Great ChangeCentennial Of The 19th Amendment: This exhibition explores the decades-long struggle for women’s suffrage as well as the key groups, their strategies, and their leaders. Daily. Free-$21.50. atlantahistorycenter.com

Curated by Design(er): Experience the power of art through the eyes of 30 of Atlanta’s most compelling interior designers. Tue-Thu. Free. dkgallery.us

DANK - Contemporary Cannabis Photographs: This is the first Atlanta exhibition of cannabis images by today’s leading photographer. Tue-Sun. Free. pulpatlanta.com

Doc McStuffins - The Exhibit: Explore a hospital and play doctor in the McStuffins Toy Hospital environment. Daily. $13.95$18.95. childrensmuseumatlanta.org

Leon Kelly – American Surrealist: Nearly 40 years since Kelly’s death, this exhibition will serve as one of the first retrospectives spanning the artist’s entire career. Tue-Sun. $5. museum.oglethorpe.edu

Of Origins And Belonging, Drawn From Atlanta: This exhibition will feature six artists who address issues related to place, belonging and heritage in their work. Tue-Sun. $14.50. high.org

Salvador Dalí’s Stairway to Heaven: Two fine print portfolios of illustrations for the “Comte de Lautréamont’s Les Chants de Maldoror” and “Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy.” Tue-Sun. $5. museum. oglethorpe.edu

Small Expressions 2019: This prestigious exhibition is the inaugural event for the

Wire & Wood - Designing Iconic Guitars: Explore the basics of guitar design while also considering how some guitars have become icons.Tue-Sun. Free-$8. museumofdesign.org

Performance Art

Backstreet Boys: At the height of a commercial teen pop explosion in the late ‘90s, this group emerged at the top of the boy band pack alongside friendly rivals *NSYNC. Aug 21. $59-$850. statefarmarena. com

Brad Paisley: Arguably the preeminent male country artist to emerge in the 2000s, Paisley cannily blended the past with the present Aug 23. $22-$89. vzwamp.com

CATS: This record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages. Aug 6-11. $46-$145. foxtheatre.org

Charlie Wilson: The powerful lead singer for funk legends the Gap Band, Wilson fronted 15 Top Ten R&B singles. Aug 30. $45-$275. classicchastain.com

East Texas Hot Links: Journey to the piney woods of East Texas at the Top O’the Hill Cafe for an up-close look at the folks, the drama and the humor. Closes Aug 11. $20-$50. truecolorstheatre.org

Southeast Fiber Arts Alliance’s ten-year anniversary celebrations. Tue-Sun. Free. fiberartsalliance.org

Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival: Brings together the classic southern staples BBQ and blues for one night in Decatur. Aug 10. $Free!-$20. decaturbbqfestival.com

Dionne Warwick: The legendary vocalist

▲Head Over Heels: This wildly entertaining musical romp follows the royal family of mythical Arcadia on a madcap journey to save their kingdom and follow their hearts. Wed-Sun. $20-$40. actors-express.com

Heart: Ann and Nancy Wilson continue to rock with new music and classic radio hits like “Magic Man” and “Barracuda.” Aug 19. $37.50-$320. vzwamp.com

Jill Scott: The R&B vocalist excels with slower, sensual material (“Slowly, Surely,” “I’m Not Afraid,” “My Love”) and versatile enough to pack plenty of punch. Aug 12. $47.50-$155.50. foxtheatre.org

John Mayer: The hitmaker has widened his approach over the years, encompassing everything from blues-rock to adult contemporary in the process. Aug 11. $59.50-$469. statefarmarena.com

Jonas Brothers: This popular boyband returns with hook-filled power pop anthems after an extended hiatus. Aug 12. $92-$495. statefarmarena.com jam band ethics. Aug. 3. $38.50-$113. cocacolaroxy.com

PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure!: It’s the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race between Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway and Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger, but Mayor Goodway is nowhere to be found. Aug 17-18. $23-$139. foxtheatre.org

Peter Frampton: One of the biggest arena rock stars of the ‘70s, making his name largely on the double-LP concert set ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’ Aug 11. $29.50-$361. vzwamp.com

Pocahontas: Come along and journey through the forest where you’ll find Pocahontas, as she awaits to share the tale of her beautiful, beloved homeland. Closes Aug 4. $13-$25. serenbeplayhouse.com

▲Khalid: This non-traditional R&B singer and songwriter attracted a large following with an undemonstrative but heartfelt vocal style and a down-to-earth perspective. Aug 14. $39.95-$99.95. statefarmarena.com

Kiss 104 Flashback Festival: Join Kiss 104 Labor Day weekend for a concert with some of R&B’s greatest legends. Aug 31-Sep 1. $41-$104. mablehouse.org moe.: carved a niche for themselves with a distinct blend of Americana, melodic turns, clever songwriting, and

Queen + Adam Lambert: A collaboration between the active members of the British band Queen (Brian May and Roger Taylor) and American vocalist Adam Lambert. Aug 22. $70-$375. statefarmarena.com

Spring Awakening: A provocative exploration of the journey from adolescence to adulthood told through an electrifying contemporary musical with a pop/rock score. Thu-Sun. $18-$24. onstageatlanta.com

▼Tenacious D: Rightfully hailed as “the greatest band on Earth,” the supersized acoustic metal/ comedy duo became an unlikely success story. Aug 5. $55$193. cocacolaroxy. com

The Smashing Pumpkins: Though they emerged alongside grunge acts like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, this

Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre - Art Over Dinner: Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre (TMBT) is the newest company underneath the thriving Serenbe Institute’s artistic umbrella. Aug 18. $85. artfarmatserenbe.com band were the group least influenced by traditional underground rock. Aug 21. $22-$268. vzwamp.com.

The Who: Though it took a while to find their audience, by the late ‘60s the Who rivaled the Rolling Stones as a live act and in album sales. Aug 18. $55-$418. statefarmarena.com

The Wiggles: For the first time in years, the world’s most successful children’s entertainment group will perform in 28 cities in the U.S. Aug 19. $40. cobbenergycentre.com

Vampire Weekend: Mixing well-read indie rock with joyful, Afro-pop-inspired melodies and rhythms, this band helped define the sound of indie music in the late 2000s. Aug 27. $35.75-$124.50. foxtheatre.org

By Collin Kelley

The Red Barn Cafe at Tiger Mountain Vineyards

After a weekend tour of Tiger Mountain Vineyards, relax on the patio over a meal. The café is open May through November for Friday and Saturday night dinners as well as Saturday and Sunday lunch/brunch. The menu includes soups, salads, small plates, entrees and desserts. 2592 Old 441 South, Tiger. Information: tigerwine.com.

The Dillard House ►

Famed for serving up Southern and country cooking, The Dillard House Inn and Restaurant doesn’t skimp on breakfast either. Whether you’re checking in for a getaway or just want some homestyle cooking, you’ll find out what’s been drawing hungry visitors for more than a century to Dillard. 768 Franklin St., Dillard. Information: dillardhouse.com.

Bodensee Restaurant

If you’re soaking up the charms of Helen’s Bavarian village, be sure to try some authentic German favorites like spätzle, Weiner Schnitzel, and house-made sausages. There’s also a great outdoor patio to enjoy the view. 64 Munich Strasse, Helen. Information: bodenseerestaurant.com.