The Atlanta Beltline and Emory are co-sponsoring the Southeast Woodlands Stickball Summit, including a stickball game and panel discussion in collaboration with NAISI and the Carlos Museum. This event centers around the new Atlanta Beltline artwork “Itti’ kapochcha to’li’” by Addison Karl (Chickasaw and Choctaw). First, there will be an exhibition stickball game in the historic Old 4th Ward Activity Park, beginning at 10:30am EST, followed by a panel discussion about the history and future of stickball at 7:00pm EST.

Time: Saturday, October 15th, 10:30am-3:00pm, then 7:00pm

Place: Old 4th Ward Activity Field (the game), Ackerman Hall at the Carlos Museum (panel)

Toli (stickball) has been enjoyed by many of the Woodland Nations of the Southeast of the US. Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Cherokee have deep roots in the game. The Chickasaw played as a substitute for war, to settle disagreements, as well as enjoy sports and athletics. This artwork is a celebration of generation after generation playing this game. Karl dedicates this work to his grandfather, whose Toli sticks featured prominently in the home he grew up in and for the woodland nations on whose land the artwork is being installed. Click here to learn more.

Addison Karl Bio: Born in Denver, Addison Karl is currently base in Italy, and is a Chickasaw and Choctaw visual artist, painter, sculptor, and public artist. Karl’s artistic emphasis finds its way through multidisciplinary materials and methods to create a visual narrative. The execution of his visual library is deeply rooted within the methods of creation. Pulling references from personal interactions, nature, culture, the history of humanity, altruism, perception of colors, and emotional states. His process explores two main domains combining humanitarian figurative & aesthetic subject matter. In working internationally with different cultures, Addison has explored the social construct of individual versus community. These ideas raise issues he feels are primordial to discuss in both contemporary and public arenas. Furthermore, through his artistic practice, he hopes to reintroduce into shared visual space a sense of ownership.  Addison works with the Chickasaw Nation as a growing Culture Bearer.