The Visual Art and Music of Abe Partridge – February 11, 2023

Abe Partridge is a heralded musician, singer/songwriter, visual artist, and podcaster based in Mobile, Alabama.
Since the release of his debut, Cotton Fields and Blood For Days, in 2018, Partridge has toured relentlessly, including several tours of the Netherlands and the U.K. developing a reputation for moving, passionate, and sometimes comedic, performances at prestigious songwriter festivals and a regular at Nashville’s Bluebird Café. He has performed on the syndicated radio programs, Mountain Stage and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. When Partridge is not writing or touring, He is creating his folk art paintings, which now hang in art galleries around the southeast and in the private collections of Tyler Childers, Mike Wolfe (American Pickers),
and Rick Hirsch (Wet Willie). His artwork was featured in Stephen King’s 2019 sequel to The Shining – Dr. Sleep.
He painted the cover art for Charlie Parr’s, Last Of The Better Days Ahead (Smithsonian Folkways). He also
created art for Tyler Childers ’2022 release, Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven? Facebook: https://fb.me/e/2AyFTTckC

Artist Statement
I left Mobile when I was 18 in pursuit of a theological education. I attended 4 bible colleges in 4 years… partly
because I couldn’t follow rules, partly because I knew better. I became a pastor of a small Independent Baptist Church in the Appalachians of Eastern Kentucky at 25 years old. When I was 27 years old I became acquainted with a horrible depression. I left the ministry and turned to Art. I have written songs and made paintings like these for years. Only after joining the military and going to war did I decide to begin sharing my art with the world. I never took a songwriting class, nor have I ever had an art class. I always just thought I was weird…

“Rethink preconceived notions.
Question authority.
Create new methods of survival.
See beauty.”

  • Abe

Friday, August 5, 2022 – Art Opening

The Art Guild of the First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta

Invites you to the opening reception of:

The Visual Art of Nancy Emerson White

Friday, August 5, 2022, 6:00-8:00 PM

The First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta

470 Candler Park Drive, Atlanta, Georgia

Free and open to the public!

Artist Statement

When I lived in Sheridan WY, I saw that the college was offering a community class on pottery. I had a small child and few friends as we had recently moved there so it seemed like a place to exercise my mind and hands and meet people. Later when we moved to Idaho Springs, I heard of a class in Ellie Mitchell’s garage where an artist from Central City was giving classes every week. That was when I took up pastel pencil sketching and then oil painting. Ever since then I have found clay classes wherever I lived. It feeds my need for creativity.

Special Music provided by Lonesome Redwing

Lonesome Redwing features bluegrass and old-time fiddle classics, as well as fresh original material.  Kathy, Russell, and Ellen are all natives of Georgia, and are multi-instrumentalist as well as songwriters. Lonesome Redwing has opened for many legendary performers, including Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, Claire Lynch, Patty Loveless, and the Steep Canyon Rangers. 

Saturday, November 20, 2021, 1-4 PM

Chilly Chili E-Fest at First E!

Downloadable Flyer:

https://firstexistentialist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Chilly-Chili-Fest-Flyer-2021.pdf

What’s the occasion? We miss each other!

We can gather, socialize, and

lay eyes on each other in a safe way!

It will be a day of outdoor fun and fellowship at First E.

We’ll have FOOD:

veggie

& beef or turkey

chili, and cornbread

beer & soft drinks, live music,

a Peace Pyramid

And other FESTIVITIES!

  Hopefully this will be a way for us to rejuvenate our spirits & morale

since we haven’t been able to gather as a Congregation for so long.


There will be a table for donations, so please bring what you can.


We are very excited to announce the  LIVE entertainment line-up:

Elise Witt and Mick Kinney

with Cuban musicians 

Lisset Rod & Irina Vazquez!

Kathy McGuire!

Debra Hiers, poet!


So bundle up and join us for fun, entertainment and chili on a chilly November afternoon. Watch Robert’s e-Blasts for more information.

This E-vent is sponsored by the Art Guild and the ACTION Committee. 

FRI, 09/17/2021 – PASS THE PLATE PRESENTS:

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE

On Friday, September 17 at 7:30, join us on Zoom to play a rousing game of truth, deception and outright lies.  Share three statements about yourself, two true and one false.  Your job is to make us believe the lie.  The rest of us will attempt to discern the lie. 

The zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/95955377139?pwd=aXVHb3J0bFR0NVRaRi92eCsrY3dSZz09

So, bring the most outrageous true things about yourself and the most believable lies.  Please bring enough for about three rounds.

Suggested donation is $10.00, but any amount will be appreciated.  Come and find out which of your friends are the best liars!

July 16, 2021 – SHOW & TELL!!!

BY POPULAR DEMAND

IS BACK! THE MEMBERSHIP GUILD INVITES YOU TO:

Remembrance of Things Past

Join us on Zoom July 16 at 7:30.  Bring something meaningful to you to share. It can be arts, crafts, pets, a beloved childhood toy, photographs, or anything else you want to tell a story about.  At the first event,  our Congregation shared stories of childhood friends that gave them something interesting, cookware that held memories of family feasts and other fascinating stories from their pasts. So, gather up your meaningful things and tell us why they are important to you.

The zoom link is here:

https://zoom.us/j/92830347666?pwd=MGU5NkpRc0I0YkJ5VWZmejRrM0FkQT09

   We’ll see you and your memories there!

May 14, 2021 – The Membership Guild Presents Another Story-Telling Event:

“9 TO 5” – STORIES FROM WORK

Inspired by the musical based on Stud Terkel’s book Working, the Membership Guild invites you to pour yourself a cup of ambition, gather up your best occupational stories and join us on Friday, May 14 at  7:30 on Zoom.

https://zoom.us/j/92068997547?pwd=WTRFbitKTitrV3A5dDlmQ252YTV0Zz09

Share your tales of never getting credit, being a rung on the boss man’s ladder, putting money in his wallet and the dreams he never took away.

Watch the e-blast for the zoom link and we look forward to hearing about your service and devotion, takin’ and no given’ and tides turning.

Look for information about attending the musical “Working” below, and in the e-blast.

Join us for “Working” – the musical!

The Membership Guild invites you to see the musical “Working” on Wednesday, June 2, at 8:00 pm (rain or shine).  The play is is at the Alliance Theater at the Callaway Plaza Tent.  It is outside, socially distanced and masks are required. We have a block of 12 tickets in pods of 2 or 4. The group rate is $25 per ticket. Reserve your tickets by e-mailing sueking@gmail.com. Tickets are limited, so get them while they’re hot!

December 22, 2024 — Sara Drew

“Lanterns”

Inspired by Marian Wright Edelman, a longtime civil and children’s rights advocate, her book Lanterns: A Memoir of Mentors, and as we find ourselves in the darkest time of the year: we’ll focus on who and what has provided us light and guided our way through life. As we look forward, we will also consider how we might serve as lanterns to our communities – shining some hope where we find darkness.

Facilitator:   D. Patton White
Musician: Mick Kinney

December 15, 2024 — Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs

“Light in the Shadows”

As the year winds down and we gather in the holiday season, we turn to the timeless gifts of hope, faith, and joy. But what do these words truly mean in our ever-changing world? Together, we will explore new and ancient ways to understand these qualities, inviting in both the warmth and the challenges they bring. How do hope, faith, and joy show up in our lives amid uncertainty? Can we hold space for joy while facing life’s struggles? Join us as we deepen our connection to these sacred principles and find new ways to let them light our way forward.

Facilitator:  Cindy Lou Who
Musician: Jean Heinrich and the E-Chorus

December 8, 2024 — Arri Eisen

“Science & Religion: How Even What Little I Know About Them Might change Our Nation”

Science and religion are two sides of the same coins, which are spent on figuring out the nature of reality and the human condition.  America is in a big mess; can science and religion looked at this way get us moving forward better?  I’ll tell a few stories to get you thinking on the answer.

Facilitator:  Charlene Ball
Musician: Kristen Hampton

December 1, 2024 — Rev. Marti Keller

“Let the Gifting Begin”

A post Thanksgiving look at the history of and contemporary practices of holiday gifting. From the absurd to the spiritually generous. Confession of the speaker: she once “observed” Black Friday and the lessons there from.

Facilitator:  Stell Simonton
Musician: Jean Heinrich

November 17, 2024 — Rev. Kimble Sorrells

“Reflections for November”

This time of year is always busy and full between holidays and life’s demands. The additional impacts of a major election, of which we may not know the results by this discussion, could potentially add distress or conflict.  Let us gather together for support and to talk about our ways forward. 

Facilitator:  D. Patton White
Musician: Mick Kinney

November 10, 2024 — Sharon Mathis

“In Limbo, Learning from Weeds”

Persistent, prolific survivors and thrivers. Awesomely diverse strategists. Inspiring or maddening, it all depends. Most of all, weeds endure.

Facilitator:  Libby Ware
Musician: Bill Chelton

November 3, 2024 — Rev. Marsha Mitchiner

“Day of the Dead”

We celebrate the Day of the Dead as a time to recall and honor those who have died. We bring photographs and flowers to remember them on this occasion. This Mexican holiday is somewhat like a joyful family reunion — with dead ancestors the guests of honor.

Facilitator:  Jan Lister
Musician: Charli Vogt

October 27, 2024 — Rev. Janna Nelson

“Our Work and Play Remains the Same”

Between the time of writing this and speaking at the congregation, all of us will have been doing everything we can with the skills, abilities, resources, influence, and privilege we have to affect the direction of a critical election. While we all are working and wishing for the kind of positive outcome that we want, we do not know how it’s going to turn out. However it turns out, our work remains the same. 

As Rainer Maria Rilke said, and as I believe, we are here to learn how to love. This world needs our love, we need our love, the people around us need our love and caring concern. Regardless of how the election turns out, many people are now more vulnerable to a kind of virulent hatred that some of us thought had died out. Those of us with privilege need to be prepared to support and stand with the vulnerable members of our communities. We need to continue to play and create joy, and share that joy with a hurting world. As existentialists, this is our time.

Facilitator: Sara Drew
Musician: Scott Hooker and Janna Nelson

October 20, 2024 — Mitch Walking Elk

“Look Behind the Buckskin Curtain: The Other America”

Mitch Walking Elk will talk about his experiences, which include running away from BIA school, singing around the world with an Indian voice, preserving traditional ways and customs and continuing the long struggle for justice in indigenous communities.He is an enrolled member of the Southern Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and is also part Hopi. He is the winner of the 2013 Best Blues Recording, UP FROM THE ASHES, Native American Music Award. He worked in Minneapolis teaching traditional ceremonial life ways to indigenous youth. He has been a sundancer and conducts sweat lodge ceremonies and healing ceremonies. Mitch has also been a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) since 1974.

Facilitator: Wade Marbaugh
Musician: CJ Jones Spirit Bones Band