Visit a new art community without leaving home! Thanks to online museum art collections and gallery art databases, as well as social media, public art maps and other resources, it is easier than ever to have a #virtualartadventure in a new city.
Atlanta's relative affordability, cultural diversity and vibrant communities make it a natural fit for creatives to work, live and visit for inspiration.
Museums:
The High Museum of Art: The High is Atlanta's largest art museum, and is the American south's leading art museum. Formerly the Atlanta Art Association, the museum moved into its first permanent home in 1926 and now hosts major exhibitions and its own world-class art, including a growing collection of African-American art as well as folk and self-taught art, and work by Southern artists. In 2014, it announced a major acquisition of work by Romare Bearden, some of whose iconic work can be explored here. We especially love these pieces by Alex Harris, Kara Walker, and Howard Finster. Find your favorites in the museum's online collection, and then check out The High's Museum Stories initiative, which highlights a wide selection of its history, art and artists, as well as creative exercises and tutorials.
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA): This Atlanta contemporary art museum focuses exclusively on "significant" works by Georgia contemporary artists. A relatively new museum, it was founded in 2000, presented its first show in 2002 and currently hosts 1,300 pieces in its permanent collection, in addition to rotating exhibitions throughout the year. Some of our favorite pieces are by Jim McLean and Ann-Marie Manker. The MOCA GA has a fairly detailed archive and online collection interface, but you can also explore its Random Images section if want to see something cool, but don't know exactly what to search for. While you are visiting MOCA GA online, check out its photos of past artist studio visits or test your skills in research trivia.
Spelman College Museum of Fine Art: This museum, part of HBCU Spelman University, is the The only museum in the nation "emphasizing art by and about women of the African Diaspora." Its permanent collection includes work by Carrie Mae Weems, Toyin Ojih Odutola and Elizabeth Catlett, and it recently co-published Deborah Roberts' upcoming release, "The Evolution of Mimi."
Atlanta Contemporary: The Atlanta Contemporary evolved from a grassroots movement, and now presents work by local, national and international artists in its main gallery and project space. It is also one of the few Atlanta-area art spaces that commissions new works, primarily by emerging artists in the Southeast. It offers virtual exhibition tours as well as a searchable index of past and current programs, including work by Lynx, content from the 2019 Atlanta Biennial and Catbox.
SCAD FASH | Museum of Fashion and Film: Part of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Atlanta campus, this fashion-focused museum has exhibited work centered on "Fashioning Art from Paper," Fashion Illustration, "Dressing for Dystopia" and "Masters of Cut." Explore some of its permanent collection here, and click here to learn about its Legends and Luminaries honorees.
Art Galleries and Artist Highlights :
Unlike museums, gallery exhibitions change fairly often and the art is for sale. If you see a piece you want to purchase from the gallery or its associated artists, contact the gallery for current eCommerce purchase and shipping policies.
Jackson Fine Art: Fine art photography gallery representing artists like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Amy Friend and Karen Knorr.
TEW Galleries: Contemporary art gallery showing artists like Curtis Catshaw, Cedric Smith and Helen DeRamus.
Pryor Fine Art: Specializes in expressive art, and includes artists like Lisa Noonis, Anke Schofield and Isabelle Menin.
Mason Fine Art: Showcases work by emerging and established artists including James Clover, Frank Morrison, and Karen Tunnell.
Art Spaces and Highlights:
These gallery/studio/residency hybrids support artists with resources, visibility and opportunities to connect with future collectors. Many of them have work for purchase. Please contact the artist or art space directly for their latest eCommerce purchase and shipping policies.
Hudgens Center for Art & Learning: The Hudgens Center (in Duluth, GA) is a nonprofit art space that offers fine art exhibitions, arts enrichment classes, self-guided tours, and community outreach programs. Its recent exhibitions have focused on women artists and photography. Explore the Center virtually through its Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Atlanta Artist Collective: Part of a southern cohort that includes Charleston, Nashville, and Washington, DC, this group connects artists with art lovers, collectors and interior designers, and also raises money for local charities. Explore its new work online, including affordable paintings by Winston Wiant, Eleanor Post and Katherine McClure.
Goat Farm Art Center: This for-profit art compound, housed in a former textile mill, includes studio spaces, entrepreneurial studios, and fabrication shops.
MINT: MINT provides gallery space, a community environment and artist support, including its designation as the first Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E.) certified organization in Georgia. Browse online photos from past events, learn about MINT's collaborative special projects and explore the rich work, stories and perspectives of its Active Artists like Danielle Deadwyler, Hasani Sahlehe, and Sydney Daniel.
Public Art:
Look for Tiny Doors across the city, and even take part in a virtual self-guided tour (click the location pin to see a photo.) Visit the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs for information and a self-guided public art map. Art on the Atlanta Beltline features permanent and rotating exhibitions along a seven-mile public trail.
Creative Shopping:
These independent Atlanta shopping options include art, decor, prints and other creative gifts. Contact them directly for current eCommerce and shipping policies.
Thought Starters and Discussion Points:
What did you enjoy learning about art and creative spaces in Atlanta? What surprised you?
The High Museum features a lot of work by folk and self-taught artists. How does their work compare with more traditional artists? Think in terms of both ability, and narrative. Even if an artist is "self taught," did you have trouble understanding or appreciating their work? Why or why not? Does their work inspire you to create something?
Community spaces like Goat Farms and MINT provide a lot of support to their artists. How would you structure a space to support artists, in a time when resources are tight? Beyond hypothetical financial help, what could you offer and how might it support their work?
Think about the Tiny Doors public art project. In your imagination, who uses those doors, and where do they lead?
See our Atlanta, Georgia art map to plan future art adventures.
About K.Co and #VirtualArtAdventures: We post regular Virtual Travel Guides, art content, and share more on our Instagram account. So check in often! We also publish Art Start, frequent dispatches of short, creative digital sparks to begin your day!
