On the evening of July 15, over two dozen visual artists gathered at Atlanta’s Eyedrum Gallery, engaged in a night of creativity from sunset into the early hours of the morning. Huddled around tables filled with pens, brushes, tablets, and books, some artists sketched while others added finishing touches to their paintings, embodying a spirit of collaboration and inspiration.
For many artists, all-night work sessions usually stem from looming deadlines, but for the participants of High Contrast, this was a casual Tuesday night.
“It’s like the best day of my week,” shared illustrator Joe Havasy, who was busy drafting thumbnails on loose-leaf paper. “I get to see all my friends that are artists, and they inspire me and push me to go harder and do more interesting work.”
High Contrast, founded in December 2023 by creative multi-hyphenate Dosa Kim, was born out of a desire to combat feelings of isolation and depression that often accompany the artistic process.
“It was just lonely,” Kim admitted, reflecting on his return to Atlanta’s art scene after years as a concept artist in California. “Being in LA, it’s just more community-based. When I got back here, I just didn’t find that.”
In response, Kim simply started a weekly drawing group, which began with modest sessions in his studio at the co-working facility Art & INDUSTRY.
Initially, only one participant, Eemer, attended the first gathering. But as word spread, attendance snowballed into a vibrant community. “Before you know it, Raz showed up. And then it started to snowball from there,” Kim recalled.
In just a year and a half, High Contrast has established a loyal and enthusiastic following. Many attendees rarely miss a Tuesday night session, which Kim likened to a religious gathering: “It’s almost like church.”
The group comprises seasoned street art veterans who exchange playful banter and eager newcomers sharing recommendations for their favorite tutorial books. Although the artists represent a wide variety of styles and mediums, there is a unifying spirit of sharing—whether it is techniques, materials, food, or conversation.
The environment fosters creativity without the competitive constraints often present in professional settings. The guiding principle of leaving egos at the door creates a warm and welcoming community.
Graphic designer Leah Abucayan, who spent the evening sketching stylized portraits of her fellow group members, expressed how High Contrast encourages self-driven creativity. “I feel like High Contrast forces you to do something for fun just for yourself. You’re around people who are doing the same thing—something non-competitive,” she said.
Abucayan’s involvement with the collective extends beyond Tuesday night meet-ups, participating in various special events organized by Kim.
This upcoming Saturday, she was set to compete in a high-energy Ink Battle, with a crowd of hundreds at Dragon Con eagerly anticipating the spectacle.
The auxiliary opportunities provided by High Contrast play a significant role in fostering artistic growth. The Atlanta Crossroads Mural Festival, co-organized by Kim and local muralist Chris Wright, allowed several painters to try their hands at public wall art for the first time.
The Fortuna Art Show, taking place in May 2025, will showcase the individual styles of artists via a collaborative custom tarot deck.
Other projects may be less public-facing but nonetheless cultivate long-term connections and emotional understanding among artists. Initiatives such as a community-illustrated scroll and a Secret Santa art exchange foster camaraderie and shared experiences.
“Almost every project that we do, we make sure that we represent like 20% brand-new talent,” Kim explained. “It doesn’t feel like you’re amongst gods or anything like that. We’re all a bunch of dorks running around trying to figure out what we’re making and stuff. So that’s fun.”
Despite the rebellious and avant-garde social media aesthetics characterized by stark photocopied flyer designs and balaclavas, the atmosphere at High Contrast remains one of kindness, acceptance, and generosity.
While Kim never labeled the group as a family, the relationships formed within the collective certainly evoke that dynamic.
Midway through the night, Kim brought in a chocolate cake adorned with lit candles to celebrate the birthdays of two team members. Friends gathered to sing, and cake was shared, affirming the familial bonds nurtured within the group.
As midnight approached, the artists unrolled a long paper scroll, continuing a months-long collaborative effort to fill the scroll with spontaneous drawings and text.
While some might question the investment of time and energy into a piece that cannot be fully displayed, Kim shared that the collective’s commitment speaks volumes.
“You know, I got really defeated when I saw the writing on the wall. I was like, ‘Damn, this sucks.’ But, by the same token, there’s all these people here,” he reflected.
“They’re not doing it for any other reason but to get with like-minded people that like to make things. It’s a testament that humans are going to be doing what humans do. It’s kind of awesome.”
image source from：artsatl
