Celebration Meets Commemoration
Oct. 1 — Atlanta’s arts calendar rarely slows, but this past weekend felt like a sprint. Pullman Yards buzzed with the Atlanta Art Fair, SITE staged another ambitious takeover at The Goat Farm, the Atlanta Center for Photography honored Corinne Adams and Mickalene Thomas at its gala, and ABV Gallery marked its 15th anniversary with a packed all-day party.
All of these events underscore just how many communities are setting Atlanta’s creative pulse at once.
In this issue of Sketchbook, we take a moment to spotlight two stories that speak to the heart of Atlanta’s creative momentum.
First, we step inside “Caminos Compartidos,” a Hispanic Heritage Month exhibition at the Gallery at Abernathy Arts Center that makes space for artists from various branches of the Latin American diaspora. Curator Carol Santos threads together practices as varied as fabric and clay. The result is a chorus of carrying culture forward.
Then, we turn to Southeast Atlanta, where artist Fabian Williams has unveiled a Brownsville mural that refuses to let history fade. Honoring the victims and survivors of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre, the work took on added resonance when fellow artists stepped in to complete it after Williams fell ill.
Make the memories count.
Sherri
Courtesy of Abernathy Arts CenterShared Paths
🖼️ “Caminos Compartidos” at Abernathy Arts Center gathers nine Latin American artists whose practices span painting, sculpture, and installations. Curated by Carol Santos, the exhibition illuminates both unique cultural histories and the shared threads of identity, belonging, and resilience.
➡️ Meet the artists behind the show.
Celebrate 20 Years of Stories at the Decatur Book Festival
SPONSORED BY THE DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL
📚 Join us this weekend, Oct. 3-4 in downtown Decatur as we celebrate 20 years of one of the nation’s most beloved literary festivals.
The festival kicks off Friday evening with two special events only: the 6 p.m. Kidnote with Angie Thomas and the 7 p.m. Keynote with Saeed Jones. All remaining events take place Sat., Oct. 4, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
✨ Enjoy 100+ authors, book signings, performances, kids’ activities, and more. Free admission. Get the full schedule here.
Living History
🎨 Atlanta muralist Fabian Williams unveiled a new work in South Atlanta honoring the victims and survivors of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre. Created with the help of fellow artists, the mural is truly a community effort to preserve history.
➡️ Read our conversation with Williams.
🎉 Atlanta’s biggest free block party is back! Join us this Sun., Oct. 5, for Westside Stride – a family-friendly afternoon with live music, local eats, a vendor market, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and more along Howell Mill Rd. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Art Happenings
🎉 Order Out of Chaos: Exhibition Opening & Gallery Grand Opening | 5-9 p.m., Oct. 2 | Construct Gallery.
🕊️ Pillars of Strength: Opening | 5 p.m., Oct. 3 | Big Bethel AME Church.
🧊 CHILLY-O 21-YEAR CELEBRATION: DANZ PRACTICE | 7-10 p.m., Oct. 3 | Trade & Tempo.
👹 Where the Weird Things Are | 7:30-9:30 p.m., Oct. 4 | Historic Fourth Ward Park.
👟 ATLFW Originals Pop-Up Experience | 4-8 p.m., Oct. 2 | Former Z Gallerie Building, Atlantic Station.
🖼️ Atlanta Art Week | All day, Oct. 3-5 | The Works.
Post of the Week
🪑 “Order Out of Chaos” debuts.
On Oct. 2, Construct Gallery opens with “Order Out of Chaos,” an exhibition by Logan Wayne White, marking a fresh addition to the gallery scene.
➡️ See the post.
🖋️ Today’s Sketchbook was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.