🎨 Mural honors past & future

May 29 — Hi, folks. Hope you’re all ready for June! It hardly seems possible that May is almost over, but here we are. 

🏛️ This week, I’m pleased to share some insight into the 23/24 Emerging Artist Awardees from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. This grant provides financial support and an exhibition opportunity to winning artists. I recently spoke with the three winners of this award cycle about their work and process. 

🎨 Also this week, I’m sharing an interesting story about how a piece of Little Five Points history was nearly erased. Fortunately, one Little Five Points Association member’s keen eye recognized that the piece in question was made by local legend Mr. Totem, who has given the wall a fresh new mural.

🥂 Lastly, I just want to wish a very fond farewell to Camille Russell Love, the City of Atlanta Director of Cultural Affairs, who has dedicated over 25 years as one of Atlanta’s arts and culture experts. She has announced an intention to retire by the end of 2024. Love’s career spans the tenure of five mayors, and her impact will be felt and appreciated for years to come. Thank you for all your years of dedication and hard work, and congrats on your upcoming retirement. 

As always, thanks for reading!
Isadora

Emerging Artist Awardees on display at the Chastain Arts Center Gallery

🏆 The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs has curated a showcase of works by three Emerging Artist Award Winners at the Chastain Arts Center & Gallery. This recurring program is intended to support and encourage emerging artists through a monetary grant and an exhibition of their works.

One recent sunny afternoon I made the trek into the heart of Buckhead to visit the Chastain Arts Center & Gallery and discuss the award process and current exhibition with two of the winning artists, Billy Clifton-Strawn and Mary Shannon Kelly.

➡ Read more about the 23/24 Emerging Artist Awardees here.

New mural by Totem honors the past, makes room for the future in Little Five Points

🎨 In Little Five Points, the wall at the end of a strip of storefronts facing Seminole Avenue has new life with a new, vibrant mural.

Completed by Mr. Totem, a world-renowned graffiti artist who has been a regular fixture in the community since the 80s, this piece ties in the history of the community and its legacy as a home for the art of graffiti while confronting modern issues.

It all started with an idea: a new mural on an old wall.

➡ Learn more about Peace Wall Redux here. 

Art Happenings

🎉 Gallery Anderson Smith will host a grand opening of their new gallery space in the Forum in Peachtree Corners this Fri., May 31.

👟 Sneaker Stories, an exhibition that explores the connection between graffiti art and sneaker culture, will debut at Museum of Graffiti’s first pop-up art exhibit at Ponce City Market. Fri., May 31 from 7-10 p.m. Festivities continue Sat. and Sun., June 1 and 2. 

🗣️ Meet and hear about the work of Amy Landesberg during an artist talk on Sat., June 1 at 3 p.m. Landesberg’s solo exhibition, “In The Shallows,” is on view in whitespace through June 8. (pictured)

🛍️ Sudnat Studios will host an artist market during the second annual Smiggle’s Fest at Pontoon Brewing in Sandy Springs. Sat., June 1 from 12-9 p.m. 
🖼️ NextGen Artist x High Museum Student Art Exhibition will showcase works by the upcoming generation of emerging artists presented by the National Black Arts Festival (NBAF). The opening reception will take place at the High Museum of Art on Sun., June 2 from 2-4 p.m. 

🎨 Atlanta Against Cancer is hosting live podcast sessions, interviews with cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and experts, and panel discussions by experts in oncology, art therapy, and cancer research at Dancing Goats at Ponce City Market. Tues., June 4 from 12-5 p.m. 

Post of the Week

Dashboard, a creative non-profit producing transformative arts experiences in public spaces, has announced that they are the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts award. This award will facilitate the development and exhibition of “Old Suns,” a body of works years in the making by Iman Person. Congrats!