Jessica Smith, Flagpole Magazine Journalist Profile

Articles

The Neverending Glen returns to Kelburn Garden Party

3 weeks ago | glasgowworld.com | Jessica Smith

Now in its 15th year, Kelburn Garden Party invites audiences to journey deep into the heart of its ancient woodland for the return of The Neverending Glen - a transformative programme of immersive artworks, performances, installations and workshops responding to the 2025 theme: Relics. Taking place from 3–7 July 2025, Kelburn Garden Party celebrates its birthday with a landmark programme of genre-spanning music, cutting-edge performance, and boundary-pushing installations.
Steven Teller Paints 'A Blossoming Ode to Georgia's Musical History' at Akins Ford Arena

Jan 29, 2025 | flagpole.com | Jessica Smith

Painted by Florida-based muralist Steven Teller, “A Blossoming Ode to Georgia’s Musical History” depicts several of the state’s most influential artists singing and creating sound in unison. Recently completed in the lobby of the new Akins Ford Arena at the Classic Center, the mural pays homage to luminaries who have paved the way for the musical landscape that exists today.
Georgia Music Collections at the Akins Ford Arena Celebrates the State's Musical Legacy

Jan 22, 2025 | flagpole.com | Jessica Smith

When the Georgia Music Hall of Fame shuttered in 2011, the future of its thousands of artifacts, sound recordings, instruments and documents representing the state’s rich musical heritage was uncertain. Located in downtown Macon, the 48,000-square-foot building that had served as the state’s official music museum since 1996 faced financial difficulties due to decreasing revenue and low attendance.
AthFest Educates Announces Will Eskridge as 2025 Theme Artist

Jan 17, 2025 | flagpole.com | Jessica Smith

AthFest Educates has selected local painter Will Eskridge to be its 2025 theme artist, a role that is responsible for creating a cohesive aesthetic theme to use across a variety of merchandise and promotional materials for the nonprofit’s two flagship fundraising events, the AthFest Music & Arts Festival (June 20–22) and AthFest Half Marathon & 5K (Oct. 11–12).
Flagpole Premieres: Tears for the Dying's "Jolene" Music Video and Q&A

Jan 17, 2025 | flagpole.com | Jessica Smith

Athens death rockers Tears for the Dying take Dolly Parton’s forlorn country hit “Jolene” into darker, gothic territory with their new cover and music video. The song has personal significance for singer and guitarist Adria Stembridge, whose uncle, Chip Young, played the iconic finger-plucked guitar parts on Parton’s original recording. Flagpole: Can you tell us more about your Uncle Chip and his musical background? Were you two close, and did he inspire you to become a musician at all?
Noah James Saunders' Ode to a Watering Hole

Jan 15, 2025 | flagpole.com | Jessica Smith

Athens artist Noah James Saunders is best known for his large-scale, three-dimensional portraits shaped from everyday wire. Often suspended so they are free to gently spin or sway, these prism-like sculptures cast an infinite number of shadows resulting in the illusion of subtly shifting expressions. His latest body of work, “Ode to a Watering Hole,” represents his expansion as an artist, shifting in both scale and dimension to further push the limits of wire as a medium.
New Art for the New Year: 10 Exhibitions Opening This January

Jan 8, 2025 | flagpole.com | Jessica Smith

Providing colorful and cozy experiences against the gray and dreary backdrop of winter, a handful of Athens galleries are kicking off the new year with new exhibitions that open this January. Discover a wave of exciting new artwork below, and check Flagpole’s weekly Art Around Town listings for future exhibitions.
See Paintings by Cris Kocher at a Special Pop-Up Exhibition This Weekend

Dec 13, 2024 | flagpole.com | Jessica Smith

This weekend presents a rare opportunity to see artwork by Cris Kocher, a prolific yet private artist and longtime Athenian who led a fascinating life. An exhibition and silent auction of paintings will be held at The Athenaeum, located at 287 W. Broad St., on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15 from 2–5 p.m. A small reception will close out the weekend on Sunday from 3–5 p.m. with the auction closing at 4:30 p.m. that day. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Nuçi’s Space.
Watch JOKERJOKERtv's Livestream of Athens Uncovered: Revival

Dec 11, 2024 | flagpole.com | Jessica Smith

Last Friday at The Foundry, Aubrey Entertainment presented Athens Uncovered: Revival, a benefit for Nuçi’s Space that featured an all-star lineup of performances. Promising appearances by members of R.E.M., Drive-By Truckers, Cracker, Widespread Panic and several other local luminaries, the show sold out well in advance. Thanks to JOKERJOKERtv, however, the entire night can be relived below.
The Significance of Sustenance: Food in Art History

Dec 11, 2024 | invaluable.com | Jessica Smith |Fine Art

Among the many recurring themes in art history, food stands out as one of the most enduring and evocative. Its deep connection to human culture – representing sustenance, celebration, and symbolism – has inspired countless artists across generations and media. Join our table as we explore some of the history of food in art. We’ll examine the evolving meaning of food as we feast our eyes on the most delicious examples of food in art we can find.