I help run a nonprofit bike repair shop, Sopo Bicycle Cooperative, with a group of dedicated volunteers and we're hosting an art show and silent auction right now. If you appreciate good local art and/or bicycles, check it out. We had a lot of local street artists handpaint vintage bicycle frames into unique art that can be built up and ridden if you choose. www.artbikes.sopobikes.org The bikes are on display at a neighborhood restaurants and coffeeshops around town and available for auction at the website above. Thats right, pay what you want! The bikes are up for auction until the night of October 7th. That night we'll be having a final reception at the Goat Farm where there will be a few surprise art-bikes for sale as well. We'll be raffling off a New Belgium cruiser bike that night and have musical entertainment by DJ Chris Devoe (of Social Studies). No cover to get in, beer on donations (21+), art for sale and auction to benefit a good cause. The Goat Farm is one of Atlanta's best kept secrets, its tucked right behind the Taqueria Del Sol so many of you love, back off Huff Rd and is largely untouched by all of the over-the-top ugly construction that is currently plaguing the westside of Atlanta. Check out the bikes and auctions: http://www.artbikes.sopobikes.org Like us on FB: http://www.facebook.com/sopobikes FB Event Link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=242989755739992 For more information on the cooperative visit: www.sopobikes.org
Really cool complex of old factory buildings. They filmed the scene with the Latino gang fortress in the Living Dead here if you watched that series. It's pretty much an art collective, the owner only rents the studios out to local artists working and living on the property and there are stated visitation hours for visitors but I've never seen them enforced. It's become quite the hot ticket for art and music shows. The owner and board of directors are very picky about what goes on so we're lucky to be able to use their space for this event. Definitely one of the cooler places in Atlanta. It's got a similar feel to the Lake Claire Land Trust except without the dreds and patchouli, replace those with street art and livestock. Yes there are goats at the goat farm . . . We've got 12 bikes up for auction right now and are looking at having another five more available only in person on the 7th.
Nice man! E left a handful of those magnets and cubes littered around the yard when he dropped the frame off. Every few weeks I'll find a new one and I think I've got them all now. For those that just want to see pics, here's a link to the flickr album Sopo Art-Bikes on Flickr
Bump! This is tomorrow night Oh yeah, did I mention that we're raffling one of these off? I think I'm going buy some raffle tickets myself.
Everything is coming together perfectly. Getting a lot of buzz in national arts and cycling circles and heard a bunch of people talking about it when wandering around the Goat Farm yesterday.
Great event and lots of fun both there and on the grounds. We were able to get four very good prints and photgraphs. Hope you raised the money you were looking for.
Ended up having to be DD for everyone last night, I was fully annoyed that I couldn't get down there.
Thanks for coming out! I guess you had the WRB STi out in the parking lot? We raised a lot more money than our initial expectations and were glad that all of the frames but three ended up selling. Just great seeing people so excited to pick up their frames and art at the end of the night. Based on the success of the event I doubt it'll be another 3 years before we repeat it:sx: We're trying to raise money for a couple things right now. Most importantly is getting money set aside so we can move into a larger space which will lend itself to longer open hours and more activities that we can host out of our own shop. We're also planning on significantly ramping up our youth program for next Summer including paid youth interns and travel/event budgets for them and the children. We work very closely with the East Atlanta Kids Club but it would be great to do more work with kids from other neighborhoods in Atlanta and really be a lasting positive influence on the kids. I was wondering since you sounded so excited to come out. Lots of people are asking how frequently we'll be repeating the event so this may be end up being the fall fundraiser to balance our large Spring alleycat/benefit show/group ride weekend.
Let me know before the next event. I've got a friend that does some very cool Bike related art and I'm sure he would donate something. Also I think I still have a couple of cool vintage frames hanging around my parents basement that could be used for the next one. Matt
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.238727699518368.58768.129041077153698&type=3 Here are some pics. Be sure to 'Like' us if you want to keep up with most of the fun happenings.