🎨 The Atlanta Art Beat — Your Local Art Roundup (June 18)
Hey Atlanta artists! The city is absolutely humming right now. Between the World Cup energy, a landmark exhibition at the High, and open calls with deadlines breathing down your neck, there is so much happening that deserves your attention. Arty rounded it all up so you don't miss a thing. Let's go.
🖼 On the walls right now
Amy Sherald: American Sublime at the High Museum of Art (through September 27). This is the big one. The final stop on the national tour of Sherald's mid-career retrospective features more than 35 paintings made between 2007 and 2024, including her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama. Born in Columbus, Georgia and a Clark Atlanta University graduate, Sherald has deep roots here. Tomorrow (June 19) the High is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration with art-making, performances, and Friday Jazz from 6 to 10 p.m. Perfect timing for a visit.
Isamu Noguchi: "I am not a designer" at the High Museum of Art (through August 2). Nearly 200 objects spanning sculpture, furniture, lighting, and more. This show also highlights a model of Piedmont Park's Playscapes, the only Noguchi playground built in the U.S. during his lifetime, which turns 50 this year.
Niki in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (through September 6). Forty-one sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle are scattered throughout the Garden's paths, lawns, and conservatories in what is believed to be the largest showing of her work ever presented in North America. The Garden is celebrating its own 50th anniversary, and Thursday evenings through September feature lighted after-hours views of the sculptures.
Art of the Game by Contrapunto Group (June 11 through July 11). A group exhibition of international artists exploring the passion and cultural weight of soccer through painting, drawing, and mixed media, timed to the World Cup's arrival in Atlanta.
Through Our Eyes at One Contemporary (June 11 through July 26). A group photography exhibition co-curated by Atlanta photographer Sheila Pree Bright, sponsored by Leica Camera USA in its centennial year. A beautiful intersection of sports photography and fine art portraiture.
Current Exhibition at Whitespace (June 13 through July 18). This intimate contemporary gallery in a historic carriage house in downtown Atlanta always delivers thoughtful shows. Open Thursday through Saturday.
🙋 Get in on it (don't just look, participate)
The Bakery Atlanta: Open Call for Solo Exhibition (Deadline: June 21). This one is days away, so move fast. The Bakery is offering one emerging artist free gallery space, a $1,000 stipend, artistic guidance, and administrative support for a solo show in August 2026. A real launchpad opportunity for an artist who's ready.
Portrait Society of Atlanta: Fall Open Exhibition (Entry Deadline: August 17). Open to members and non-members alike, with an additional category for young adults ages 18 to 24. The Fall show runs October through December and will be juried by Dawn Whitelaw.
Freedom Park Photography Contest: "The Park is Art!" (Submissions: June 1 through August 1). The Freedom Park Conservancy is running its 2nd annual photo contest. Submitted photos should be scenes or objects within Freedom Park. A lovely reason to grab your camera and spend an afternoon in Atlanta's designated Art Park.
RevArt: "Perspectives of Atlanta" and "Nature and Metal" Open Calls (rolling basis). RevArt has two open calls for its downtown Atlanta exhibition space. One invites artists to interpret their own unique experience of the city, and the other explores the interplay between Atlanta's urban landscape and surrounding natural beauty. Apply early.
💛 Feel-good corner
150 local artists are turning Atlanta's walls into an outdoor gallery for the World Cup. The Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs commissioned 17 murals and Downtown Atlanta Inc. sponsored four additional public artworks through the city's Bridges, Tunnels, and Walls program. One standout: Wild Seed, Wildflower, a new public mural by Atlanta-based artist Charity Hamidullah in South Downtown, dedicated by Mayor Andre Dickens this spring. The city is treating its public infrastructure as canvases for local talent, and the whole thing feels like a love letter from Atlanta's creative community to the world. Whether or not you follow soccer, these murals are worth a walk.
That's your Atlanta art scene right now. Go see a show, submit to a call, snap a mural. This city is giving artists so many reasons to be out in it.
Got a show coming up or just wrapped one? Arty can help you turn it into a post, a caption, or an artist statement that sounds like you.
🎟 Other Fun Things to Do in Atlanta This Month
Not everything has to be about art. Here's what else is happening around town, roughly in order:
Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival (June 19–21). Three free days of live music, a parade, a 5K, and incredible food at Piedmont Park. One of the biggest Juneteenth celebrations in the whole Southeast!
Atlanta Beltline Fest (June 20–21). A free two day blowout at Pittsburgh Yards with World Cup watch parties on the big screen, local DJs, food vendors, and Busta Rhymes headlining Sunday.
FIFA World Cup: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (June 21). The World Cup is literally in our backyard this summer. Catch Spain at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a noon kickoff and soak in that once in a lifetime energy.
Alex Warren at State Farm Arena (June 25). Breakout star Alex Warren brings his tour to Atlanta for a midweek show that is going to be all over your social feeds.
Tame Impala: DEADBEAT Tour (July 11–12). Two nights of psychedelic perfection at State Farm Arena. If you love immersive visuals (and you do, you're reading an art blog), this one's for you.
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