Decatur Lantern Parade with Color Wheel Studio is TONIGHT!

For all of my local Decatur and Atlanta friends, I highly recommend you checking out the Decatur Lantern Parade tonight put on in-part by our friends at the Decatur Arts Alliance and Color Wheel Studio!  It will be a fun event "celebrating the arrival of summer and the creative kid in everyone!" The Parade's line-up festivities will begin at 8pm tonight at Color Wheel Studio located at 508 Howard Avenue.  The parade will officially start around 8:45 pm at Color Wheel and will finish at the Decatur Square.  There will be music and fun for the whole family!

You can check out the event's Facebook page here!

I recommend arriving well before 8:45 so you can check out Color Wheel Studio!  I had the privilege of meeting some of their talented teachers, touring their AMAZING studio space, and watching their students make lanterns in preparation for the parade. Color Wheel Studio, Founder and Director Cathy Spencer has an incredible vision and creates a one-of-a-kind environment for young artists.  It is a must-see for any locals with kids!!  As an artist and arts-based business owner I am inspired by her work and mission!

During my recent visit to Color Wheel Studio I had the pleasure of watching Mixed Media Instructor Chantell Ryter teach her students how to create some of the amazing lanterns you will see tonight.  Chantell Ryter, brings extensive experience in parades to Color Wheel.  She focuses on "lantern parades based in public participation." On her website she describes this focus: "Shifting from come-see-the-parade to come-be-the-parade has been a wondrous evolution. I like to build big art that is intended to go outside and play, to inhabit a public space, and interact with people."

Below are a few images of the lanterns in-progress and the studio!!