Look Out, Art World! Atlanta Has Arrived.
The inaugural Atlanta Art Fair shined an overdue spotlight on the city, establishing Atlanta as a destination for the arts.
New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami…At least one of those cities will probably immediately come to mind when you think of our major art hubs in the United States. With Atlanta on the rise in every other aspect, it won’t be long before we see this southern city join that list. As a fast-growing art hub and the sixth most populous metro area in the country, it is only right that Atlanta finally has a global art fair- The Atlanta Art Fair. And while those other major hub cities may initially come to mind, please don’t compare them to Atlanta because we are (and have always been) in a class of our own in the arts. Yes, there may be many differences and similarities between Atlanta and other art cities, but when it comes to every area of the arts, it’s that southern energy that separates Atlanta and gives us our own razzle-dazzle. Needless to say, we were overdue for a global art fair.
Presented by Art Market Productions (AMP), the inaugural edition of Atlanta Art Fair’s opening night was held at The Pullman Yard on October 3, 2024, and was open to the public through October 6, 2024. The fair welcomed 63 exhibitors and cultural partners (25% being Atlanta-based) showcasing artworks by over 100 established and emerging artists. The Atlanta Art Fair’s Artistic Director Nato Thompson was joined by Atlanta-based guest curators Lauren Jackson Harris and Karen Comer Lowe, who each presented public projects and exhibitions at the fair, foregrounding local artists. Both Harris and Lowe are deeply involved in the Atlanta art scene and have long histories of championing underrepresented voices in the arts. “It was pivotal to us to collaborate with Atlanta-based curators who are deeply embedded within the city’s art scene and who can respond to the pressing needs of the arts community,” said Nato Thompson.
Naturally, when you think of what to expect at an art fair, you may envision walls adorned with a variety of art, which is, of course, a big part of it. However, at this year’s Atlanta Art Fair, attendees could not only view amazing art but also enjoy daily theater programming that featured panels discussing topics such as Atlanta’s emergence as a leading cultural hub, design in the American South, art collecting, preserving artists’ legacies, being a Southern artist, and more. I had the opportunity to sit in for the opening night’s panel, Atlanta’s Cultural Renaissance, and one of the Saturday panels On Deck in the South. Both panels were very insightful, as the panelists spoke thoroughly on the respective topics. Looking back, I wish I had planned my schedule more accordingly to fit in more of the panels during the weekend. One of my friends, and fellow artist, Damaine Bolton, attended the fair on Friday and had the chance to sit in on the Collecting in the South panel. There, he connected with two of Atlanta’s well-known collectors and learned more about how they view and invest in art. His feedback on his experience and the information that he got from this panel definitely made me regret not being able to attend the fair at that time. I say that to emphasize that this year’s fair was much more than just viewing art; it was also a fantastic information and networking opportunity for anyone already in or wanting to enter the art space—from artists to collectors, curators, galleries, and art enthusiasts.
One thing I really enjoyed about this fair, besides the art (obviously), was meeting and talking to the gallery owners, directors, and artists. Seeing the art is one thing, but actually being able to engage in conversations that give you deeper insight into the pieces can make the overall experience that much more amazing. I could easily give a long list of art that I was absolutely in awe of, but the two pieces I would have immediately claimed for my collection if I could, were This My Baldwin by Najee Dorsey from the Black Art In America gallery and Nope Not Today by Guy Stanley Philoche from the Maune Contemporary Gallery. Speaking to those artists about their work made me appreciate it even more.
The photo captured of This My Baldwin does no justice to the work. The details that Dorsey put into this piece are immaculate, making it one of those artworks I can examine repeatedly, discovering new elements each time that enhance its incredible quality. Nope Not Today immediately commanded my attention with its striking red background. The innocence and curiosity of the young Black child wearing a “Nope Not Today” t-shirt drew me in, especially since I was wearing those same shoes and own a shirt with the same phrase. Perhaps I saw myself in this piece, which made me curious to learn more about this and others in the collection. From Philoche’s series Give Us Our Flowers, this piece, along with his others on display at the fair, depicts the joy and positivity of the everyday life of black children. In a world where certain stereotypes already exist towards Black children, these pieces aim to send a powerful message and shine a positive light on them- essentially giving them their flowers.
I have attended art fairs in some of the other major art cities, and I can confidently say that not once during either day was there an air of pretentiousness. From the moment I walked into the fair, it felt welcoming, and most, if not all, of the artists and gallery representatives I spoke with were warm and engaging. While not all of the galleries and artists were from the South, I’d like to think that the energy of Atlanta naturally rubbed off on everyone, creating an atmosphere of Southern hospitality. Needless to say, for this to have been the first Atlanta Art Fair, I’m very impressed; to be honest, this is one of the best art fairs I have attended. I look forward to seeing the growth of this fair in the years ahead. If you missed out on this amazing weekend in Atlanta, you missed something truly great in the city. But don’t worry- this was the first of many, so be sure to mark it on your calendar for next year!
