Reflecting on Four Years of Impact

Orange Barrel Media x Atlanta Art Week Partnership. Photography courtesy of Orange Barrel Media.

Atlanta Art Week History 2022-present

As we prepare for the fourth edition of Atlanta Art Week, taking place from October 3–5, 2025, we find it an opportune moment to reflect on the evolution of AAW. With increasing awareness and interest from a broader audience, it is a fitting time to provide context on the initiative’s development and to acknowledge the significant progress made over the past four years.

Atlanta Art Week was launched in 2022 by Kendra Walker and SUTTON (2022-2024) and quickly gained momentum. In May 2022, word spread throughout the Atlanta art community, and galleries and institutions across the city reached out to be part of what was unfolding as a historic moment. Despite having a short runway for marketing in our inaugural year, we welcomed nearly 2,000 ticketed guests to celebrate art and culture in Atlanta.

The first year featured a strong lineup of participating galleries, including Arnika Dawkins Gallery, Jackson Fine Art, whitespace, Zucot, Spalding Nix Fine Art,  September Gray, Wolfgang Gallery and many others. Our opening reception at the Waldorf Astoria brought together nearly 350 select guests, where  community leaders, cultural change makers, and key figures in politics and business, marking a pivotal moment for the city’s art scene. At the opening reception, speeches were given by Doug Shipman, President of the Atlanta City Council; Camille Russell Love, Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Atlanta (from 1998–2024); Donovan Johnson, Director of Johnson Lowe Gallery; and Kendra Walker, Founder AAW and Art Advisor. The inaugural year also featured a private tour of the HIGH for AAW VIP guests, led by Kent Kelley.

Atlanta Art Week Opening Reception at the Waldorf Astoria, sponsored by Johnson Lowe Gallery. Photography by Kia Tavernier, courtesy of Atlanta Art Week

As the second year of Atlanta Art Week (2023) rolled in, the energy and anticipation surrounding the event grew exponentially. Word had spread since the inaugural year, and a larger, more engaged audience was now aware of AAW as a major moment on the city’s cultural calendar. The excitement was palpable—not just from the public, but also from artists, curators, collectors, and institutions eager to be part of something that was clearly gaining momentum. This year also marked the introduction of an advisory board and a selection committee, further solidifying the event’s structure and vision.

One of the standout developments that year was the involvement of UTA Artist Space, a significant addition to  AAW. Their participation brought a new level of visibility and creative energy, as they produced a thoughtful activation. Their programming added a fresh dynamic to the week’s events and further solidified AAW’s reputation as a platform where local and national voices could come together in meaningful ways.

With increased attendance, broader media attention, and new partners joining in, year two marked a pivotal moment for Atlanta Art Week—it became clear that this was an annual tradition in the making.

Image of Mint. Photography courtesy of Mint.

This outward-looking approach is particularly meaningful in light of the changes we witnessed in 2024 within Atlanta’s own landscape. The city’s art scene experienced significant shifts, including the unexpected closure of MINT — once a cornerstone of Atlanta’s independent arts community for many years. MINT’s departure marked the end of an era, as it had long served as an essential platform for emerging artists, curators, and cultural workers. Its absence is felt deeply by many, and it stands as a reminder of the challenges faced by grassroots art spaces in an evolving  environment.

As we move into 2024, these transformations — both local and national — serve to underscore the importance of connection, resilience, and intentional collaboration.

Atlanta Art Week Opening Reception 2023 at The Roof at Ponce City Market, sponsored by Slater Hospitality. Photography by Stephon Williams, courtesy of Atlanta Art Week

OCHI: Hana Ward: Cowpea Consciousness. Photography by Allen Cooper courtesy of Atlanta Art Week.

The third year, 2024, marked an exciting and pivotal chapter. We expanded our reach by collaborating with a dynamic range of galleries, cultural institutions, and nonprofit organizations from outside the city. The 2024 edition included nationally recognized names such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Peoria Riverfront Museum, OCHI, Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, and Aperture. It also marked a partnership with SOHO House and the addition of new sponsorships from Bank of America and Emory Libraries. These connections not only introduced fresh perspectives to the overall programming but also created opportunities for Atlanta to engage in wider conversations within the contemporary art world.

Spelman College Museum of Art. Ming Smith in conversation with Spelman’s Chair of Art & Visual Culture, Program Director of Photography, and artist Myra Greene. Photography by Montenez Lowery courtesy of Atlanta Art Week.