2008 Decatur Arts Festival

Meet Our Jurors

2D Jurors

Corey Barksdale

Corey Barksdale was born in Nashville, Tennessee into a family of Artists. He was exposed to color and form at an early age by his grandmother, a quilt artist, and his mother who was gifted with an intuitive feeling for design and a fastidiousness for detail which she expressed in all aspects of her daily life. Barksdale earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at the prestigious Atlanta College of Art in 1994. A prolific artist, his fine art subject matter ranges from human figures to non-objective abstracts. In recent years he has concentrated his talents on themes that portray the love and strength that exists within the African American community. His paintings grace the covers of books, magazines, CD covers, and posters. Among his convictions is to give back to his community through art education.

Bart Kasten

Bart Kasten received an MFA in photography from the University of Florida.   He was an Artist-in-residence at Penland School of Crafts prior to moving to Atlanta.  Over the past 15 years he has taught at Georgia State, Agnes Scott, Atlanta College of Art, and SCAD Atlanta. Along with teaching, he photographs artwork for artists.   Bart also created and ran a toy store called "Gazoyks," which he considered a "retail art project."  He believes art can be an element in every thing we do and views art making as simply the play between thoughts, materials, and vision.  A recipient of a Southern Arts Federation Individual Artist Grant, Bart has exhibited his work nationally including site specific pieces, installations, and billboards.

Mindy Spritz

Mindy Spritz is the Director of Education and Development for the Spruill Center for the Arts. Throughout Mindy's career she has held a variety of positions at numerous arts centers and colleges of art in the Midwest & Southeast. Most recently Mindy comes to the Spruill Center from the Art Institute of Atlanta were she held the position of a faculty member, as well as the Coordinator of Student Success. Ms. Spritz has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, a Master of Arts/Studio Arts- Painting, and is completing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Mindy is an accomplished painter, educator, writer and editor.

3D Jurors

Johnnie Dobson

Dolores Fawkes

Dolores Fawkes was the owner and operator of  "CAMERTON PLACE"  Fine Craft Gallery, in Sandy Springs,  from 1994 to 1999. The Gallery specialized in fine handmade crafts from the United States. From 2000 until 2003, Ms Fawkes organized and operated the Sandy Springs Holiday Artist market for the Sandy Springs Business Association. In 2001 she went on the road full time as a ceramic artist, participating in many of the top 100 shows in the nation. In 2005, after studying at the Glen Parr School of Metal Arts, she switched mediums to Jewelry, and is currently a fulltime Silversmith.  The past year Ms Fawkes participated in 45 Art Festivals around the country from Naples, Florida to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Frances Schube

A University of Florida Journalism/P.R graduate in 1982 and self-proclaimed Gator fan, Frances Schube has dabbled in the arts her entire life. After a brief career in the public relations arena, Schube turned her sights towards the world of art.  She started her own painting and design company, called proudly "Board Silly," where she produced colorful and whimsical work for children. For twelve years, Schube traveled to festivals with her creations, and often worked with other artisans to improve their skills and enhance their displays. Perhaps her true calling is running her own shows. In 2002-2003, she took over the reigns at the Atlanta Jewish Festival in Dunwoody, where she was influential in bringing 100 artists to the yearly summer gathering. Schube was involved in promoting the event, writing press releases, and working directing with the many talented artists, volunteers, entertainers and food vendors. Her latest venture is Norcross Art Fest, where in 2004; she re-invented a small craft show, and turned it into an annual two-day celebration featuring more than 100 artists from all over the country. The non-profit festival, in its fifth year, is located on the streets of historic downtown district of Norcross and held every fall.