ALWAYS PARACHUTE NAKED
I’m a firm believer in going big or going home - that’s why I put my whole heart into each project I work on. Always Parachute Naked (APN) is an energy, a vibe, and a work ethic. If you’re gonna jump, bear it all and feel it everywhere.
APN ~
APN ~
I’m an optimist and a daydreamer. I am driven by passion and I live by my color-coded planner. In my free time, you can catch me drinking lambrusco on my porch, riding my bike on the Westside Beltline, or watching beautiful sad movies with my soon-to-be husband, Jesse. My greatest strength? I’m dependable. My biggest weakness? Chocolate.
ABOUT ME
Amanda P Norris (she/her)
I am an arts and culture administrator who specializes in creative project management and communications. I’m currently based in Atlanta and hold a B.A. from Georgia College & State University in Mass Communication and Theatre.
I have worked with several organizations ranging from Living Walls to New Georgia Project. Seven years of this work has led me to the Assistant Director position at The Bakery. The Bakery Atlanta is an art services 501(c)3 nonprofit with a DIY ethos dedicated to offering alternative models to local creatives and the general public. We host and produce experiences that connect and inspire people through collaboration, experimentation, and play.
In addition to my administrative projects, I am also an artist and curator. My work is influenced by generations of artists in my family and the ethos of The Bakery Atlanta, the arts organization and collective that I help lead. I use recycled and found materials to create mostly fiber-based work. My pieces are a playful exploration of materials, techniques, and the limitless possibilities of the medium. Each creation is an experiment driven by curiosity.
Accomplishments and Recognitions:
Program Committee for Creative Placemaking Summit (2023)
Public Art Tour Guide for Smart Growth America’s Community Connectors Convening (2023)
Review Panelist for the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs MSA Grant (2023)
Applicant Juror for The Hambidge Center (2023)
Individual Artists Grant Recipient for Fulton County Arts and Culture CFS (2023)
Fellow at The Hambidge Center Creative Residency (Spring 2023)
Panel Speaker at Mystic District Marketplace Lunar Disco (2023)
Accepted to practice // practice residency program at AS220 in Rhode Island (2020, postponed due to Covid)
Speaker at Empty Storefronts Conference in Milwaukee (2019)
Artist in the #AllForAtlanta Finish Line Women Art Show, Nike (2019)
Best of Atlanta Critic for Creative Loafing (2019)
Course Valedictorian, America's Cultural Diverse Heritage, GCSU (2013)
Awards with Organizations:
ELEVATE: OPEN SPACES Grant Recipient (The Bakery), Office of Cultural Affairs (2022)
Arts & Entertainment Atlanta Grant Recipient (The Bakery), A&E Atlanta (2021)
Best Year for Street Art: New Murals (Living Walls) Best of Atlanta, Atlanta Magazine (2019)
Best New Arts Incubator (The Bakery) Best of Atlanta, Atlanta Magazine (2018)
Best DIY Arts Space (The Bakery) Best of Atlanta, Creative Loafing (2018)