As anticipation builds for the 2025 Atlanta Art Fair (AAF), Shannon Morris, Denise Jackson, and fellow CurateHers ATL members, including Natassha Chambliss, Kate Chesnutt Connell, Cynthia Farnell, and Birney Robert, shared insights about navigating this year’s event.
The excitement around the fair mirrors last year’s success, which invigorated Atlanta’s art ecosystem. Shannon Morris emphasizes the preparedness of the CurateHers ATL team for the upcoming fair, highlighting how an informal collective of female arts workers aims to support one another and inspire artists exploring the fair.
“There’s a strong sense of community amongst us,” said Morris. “This week’s Art Fair will serve as a platform for all who seek to navigate Atlanta’s vibrant art scene.”
Morris, a director at Spruill Gallery and member of the Atlanta Art Fair Advisory Board, advocates for attendees to engage with the Projects & Events programmed for the Fair. One notable highlight is the curatorial presentation by Melissa Messina, featuring artists Krista Clark, Sonya Yong James, and Vadis Turner.
“I am particularly fond of the Theater Programming and Events,” Morris added, noting that they provide attendees with engaging topics and speakers who can share valuable art insights.
Visitors to the fair can find Morris and Kat Eaves from the Atlanta Printmakers Studio at Cultural Booth — CP 02. They will showcase affordable artwork by talented visual artists, including Hannah Adair, Manty Dey, Sarah Emerson, Charity Hammidullah, Diyah Najah, and Jasmin Warnock, with the artists attending throughout the weekend.
Natassha Chambliss emphasized the importance of art fairs in facilitating connections between artists and collectors. “They create a unique opportunity to build relationships with galleries and meet many featured artists,” she said. Chambliss recommends attendees use rideshare services, plan their itinerary, and wear comfortable shoes for an enjoyable experience.
“The art fair is a great space to immerse yourself in creativity,” Chambliss continued. “I encourage everyone who can to purchase art. We want to demonstrate that Atlanta collects and values great works.”
Chambliss is particularly keen on the Spruill and Atlanta Printmakers Society collaboration, featuring works from their Emerging Artists in Residency programs. “Supporting artists early in their careers is crucial,” noted Chambliss. “Residencies equip them with necessary resources and networks.”
According to Kate Chesnutt Connell, founder of Labyrinth Curation, the Atlanta Art Fair serves as an accessible entry point for the public to engage with various artworks. “It transcends being a mere marketplace; it’s a vibrant space for inspiration and community interaction,” Connell stated.
She highlighted the Balentine Prize as one of her must-see features this year. This award recognizes an artist from Atlanta or the Greater American South for their exceptional promise, which adds a layer of excitement for attendees.
Cynthia Farnell, an East Atlanta gallery owner, encourages new art collectors to start by exploring works on paper, especially photography and printmaking. “These mediums have fostered a rich community in Atlanta, and engaging with them can lead to meaningful connections,” she shared.
Farnell is excited about specific exhibitions at the fair, particularly booths from Jackson Fine Art and the Atlanta Photography Group, which will present striking photographic works.
Denise Jackson, founder of Town + Culture, highlighted the significance of the Atlanta Art Fair in establishing Atlanta’s presence on the global art scene. “It captures the unique essence of our art community while showcasing 70 galleries, creating a platform for visibility and connection,” Jackson remarked.
She urged visitors to take their time while exploring the fair, thoroughly enjoying the displayed works. Jackson is particularly enthusiastic about the installation titled Between You and Me (2010) by Micah and Whitney Stansell, stating that viewing it at the Fair will feel like a full-circle moment for her.
“In addition to visual works, panels and discussions will enrich the fair experience,” Jackson said, pointing to her interest in back-to-back panels concerning photography and visionary women curators, which she believes exemplify Atlanta’s essential role in broader cultural conversations.
Birney Robert, an artist and curator, expressed her anticipation for Melissa Messina’s guest curatorial perspective. “It’s exciting to witness how such a creative vision can elevate the fair’s experience,” she explained. “Additionally, having Nato Thompson as creative director will undoubtedly push contemporary art’s boundaries further.”
Robert believes that art fairs represent more than just exhibition spaces; they serve as a concentrated moment for community engagement within the arts sector. “They illuminate how the arts contribute to our well-being and foster essential exchanges,” she added.
She recommended artists and collectors bring business cards to facilitate networking opportunities, emphasizing that fairgoers should benefit from opportunities to connect with gallery representatives and artists.
Among her recommendations is the Charlotte-based TFA Advisory’s showcase featuring Qualeasha Wood, whose innovative fusion of digital imagery and textile techniques captivated her during a previous encounter at Miami Art Basel. Robert also pointed out that the immersive works from Micah and Whitney Stansell should be on everyone’s radar, seamlessly blending narrative and visual storytelling.
For Jackson and her curatorial colleagues, the role of the Atlanta Art Fair extends beyond aesthetics; it creates vital connections between artists, galleries, collectors, and the public, shaping how art is experienced in Atlanta and beyond.
“Art fairs establish how artists gain visibility while simultaneously expanding the range of galleries and presenting new ideas to audiences,” Jackson asserted. “The Atlanta Art Fair embodies this philosophy, inviting everyone to form meaningful connections and enjoy exceptional art.”
The 2025 Atlanta Art Fair opens to the public on Thursday, September 25, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., continuing throughout the weekend with additional hours on Friday, September 26, and Saturday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and concluding on Sunday, September 28, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Art enthusiasts and collectors alike are encouraged to explore, engage, and support the thriving art scene at the Atlanta Art Fair this year.
image source from：artsatl
