Atlanta Art Week founder Kendra Walker in front of “Still untitled” by Patrick Eugene PHOTO BY PIERA MOORE

A LONG TIME COMING

If you are surprised that Atlanta didn’t already have a week dedicated to the art scene, don’t worry, so were we. Needless to say, the inaugural week dedicated to our city’s own artistic landscape strays from the triteness of art for art’s sake and instead inspires awareness.

“Broom Thing” (2020, mixed materials), designed by Stephen Burks PHOTO: BY JUSTIN SKEENS

Edgar Degas famously said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” In the spirit of the inaugural Atlanta Art Week, the burgeoning visual art scene is no exception to that sentiment. Kendra Walker, founder and director of the initiative, has been immersed in the arts through her career as an arts adviser and writer. Through her travels, Walker has witnessed the rallying cries that bolster the art realms across the country. “I really wanted to see this in my hometown,” she says of her inspiration. Thus, she took it upon herself to instill that awareness into Atlanta and establish a moment dedicated to the city’s impressive contemporary art community.

The materialization of a movement more often than not starts with an initial proposal. This meant throwing her idea out into the Atlanta art community and gauging reception of the concept. The community not only received but resoundingly welcomed the idea. “The response has been very enthusiastic from the start, and it’s been great to see such passion for the arts here in Atlanta, as well as a desire for arts professionals to work together to create new opportunities for one another,” says Walker. With resounding “yeses,” it then became transforming an idea into a tangible campaign.

Adama Jalloh, “Little Simz.” PHOTO: BY ADAMA JALLOH

A program dedicated to Atlanta’s contemporary art scene began to take shape thanks to the existing dynamic of the art landscape. “Atlanta’s art scene is eclectic yet supportive. We have a really wholesome way of working together,” says Walker, “While different organizations might have a different focus or program, the approach across the board is about nurturing dialogue and collaboration for the betterment of artists and Atlanta.” Soon enough, over 20 galleries, museums, institutions, artists and nonprofits jumped at the opportunity to participate.

To be held on the last days in September to October 2nd, the event highlights several interesting Atlanta-based artist including Antonio Darden, Fahamu Pecou, Kevin Cole and more. The events encompass everything from artist takeovers, like self-taught artist Taher Jaoui, who took over Maune Contemporary with vibrant, layered paintings influenced by the abstract expressionists of the 1950s and ’60s; to exhibition openings, like Mason Fine Art’s Keeping It Real; to artist talks, performances and book signings, like Kevin Cole: Where do we go from here? at MoCA GA. Additionally the week will involve a bevy of cultural partners and Atlanta institutions like Atlanta Contemporary and the High Museum of Art.

Shie Moreno, “Untitled” PHOTO: COURTESY OF MASON FINE ART

“I’m hoping an event like [this] will inspire more collaboration between the major art players in the city,” says Walker. “We ultimately want to put Atlanta on the map as one of the most important—and growing—hubs for culture in the United States.” Putting art in the heart of the already very rich soul of Atlanta. Sept. 29-Oct. 2, atlantaartweek.co