🎨 A mural pays homage to the past and the future

May 29 — Hi people. I hope you are all ready for June! It hardly seems possible that May is almost over, but here we are.

🏛️ This week, I have the pleasure of sharing some insights from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs 23/24 Emerging Artists winners. 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 their process.

🎨 Also this week I’m sharing an interesting story about how a piece of Little Five Points history was almost erased. Fortunately, the keen eye of a member of the Little Five Points Association recognized that the piece in question was created by local legend Mr. Totem, who adorned the wall with a new mural.

🥂 Finally, I just want to say a very warm farewell to Camille Russell Love, Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Atlanta, who has dedicated herself for over 25 years as an expert in the arts and culture of Atlanta. She has announced her plans to retire by the end of 2024. Love’s career spans five mayoral terms, and her impact will be felt and appreciated for years to come. Thank you for all your years of dedication and hard work, and congratulations on your upcoming retirement.

As always, thanks for reading!
Isadora

Emerging Artist Winners on Display at Chastain Arts Center Gallery

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

On a recent sunny afternoon, I took a trip to the heart of Buckhead to visit the Chastain Arts Center & Gallery and discuss the awards process and current exhibition with two of the winning artists, Billy Clifton-Strawn and Mary Shannon Kelly.

➡ Learn more about the 23/24 Emerging Artists winners here.

New Totem Mural Honors the Past and Embraces the Future in Little Five Points

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

Created by Mr. Totem, a world-renowned graffiti artist who has been an integral part of the community since the 1980s, this work reconnects with the community’s history and its legacy as the home of graffiti art while confronting the modern issues.

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

➡ Learn more about Peace Wall Redux here.

Artistic events

🎉 Anderson Smith Gallery will host the grand opening of its new gallery space at The Forum at Peachtree Corners this Friday, May 31st.

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

🗣️ Meet and discover the work of Amy Landesberg at an artist talk on Saturday, June 1 at 3 p.m. Landesberg’s solo exhibition, “In The Shallows,” is on view in White Spaces until June 8. (photo)

🛍️ Sudnat Studios will host an artist market during the second annual Smiggle’s Fest at Pontoon Brewing in Sandy Springs. Saturday June 1st from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
🖼️ The NextGen Artist x High Museum Student art exhibition will feature works from the next generation of emerging artists presented by the National Black Arts Festival (NBAF). The opening reception will be held at the High Museum of Art on Sunday, June 2 from 2-4 p.m.

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

Article of the week

Dashboard, a creative nonprofit producing transformative arts experiences in public spaces, announced that it has received an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. This award will facilitate the development and exhibition of “Old Suns,” a body of work in progress by Iman Person. Well done!