I feel a lot like the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland running all around and out of time for most everything. I am a little late in telling you about a fabulous festival that's held every year in Atlanta where the arts community showcases the power of photography in our lives.
The month of October in Atlanta has an exciting event known as the Atlanta Celebrates Photography Festival (ACPFest). Artists from around the southeast contribute work that's displayed in exhibitions held just about anywhere around town. Georgia State University, the Atlanta Photography Group Gallery, the heart of Midtown with a mural, art galleries, public art spaces, libraries, shop windows – so many shows to see. One recent fun event happened when the Little 5 Points neighborhood hosted their 3rd annual L5Hallowine Photo Crawl on October 6th where attendees sampled treats while they strolled around and viewed photography displayed in store windows. This is an example of one of the ways people get to enjoy the exhibitions. There are also in-person openings, artist talks, virtual shows, and more. The ACPFest offers an online guide that breaks the photographic displays down by artists, venues, neighborhoods, dates, photos, and tags.
“This year, ACPfest is a collection of artists and dreamers making our city a thriving creative community for all to enjoy. We hope you’ll discover the listings on our dedicated festival site and iPhone app, make time to explore virtual galleries and attend in-person exhibitions and lectures.” ACPFest
I like to go to as many as I can reasonably go to with 3 kids and our juggling schedules. I recently stopped by the Atlanta Photography Group‘s Gallery in the Ansley Mall area to see the virtual show “Slow Exposures”. It's a frame-by-frame exploration and celebration of the contemporary south. The Atlanta Photography Group has a free gallery you can visit to see current exhibitions and attend exciting photographic events along with workshops, critiques, and listen to artist lectures. The APG is a group made up of photographers, supporters, and collectors and membership is always welcome.
Transforming Vision by Phillip Mosier
Showing in the library at Georgia State University Perimeter Campus until November 30, 2021.
The second display I caught was the Phillip Mosier one at Georgia State University Perimeter College campus in Clarkston. Big tip if you go to see it, the work is in the library on the 4th floor. I did the work for you by walking all around a good part of the campus until I found the 3rd person who could help me. It's in a very quiet space in the library which is nice for viewing it along with your thoughts. Mr. Mosier is a faculty member and has documented Georgia through his photography since 1987. He has an interesting bio on his festival guide page, and I liked his quote: “My biggest influences are the places I haven’t been and the people I haven’t met.”
Since the festival runs the length of October, there are different dates and times to consider. The best thing to do is make sure you consult the event guide with a link here and above. You'll hopefully find something you want to see within it. Here are some notable ones I hope to go visit.
Culture Shock – Photography by John Gutmann
Showing at the Breman Museum on Spring Street until January 2, 2022
The photographer himself is pictured above in a self-portrait. He was a Jewish photographer as well as a German immigrant to the United States during the Great Depression. This is a collection of 60 something images he documented about pop culture.
Resonance: Recent Acquisitions in Photography
Showing at the Michael C. Carlos Museum until October 24, 2021
An exhibition of photographs taken between 1963 and 2015. Viewers are asked to think about the past 17-18 months and their experiences. Look at these images through the lens of 2020 and 2021 and interpret and explore your emotions. How are things different or the same?
Alternative Realities featuring work by Sistagraphy Members
Showing at Haugabrooks on Historic Auburn Avenue from October 15 – November 30, 2021
With Covid 19 and the way the world has shut down at varying times, the photographers wanted to reimagine and reinvent our day to day lives into alternate ones. Fantasy, SciFi, and parallel worlds. I, for one, plan to go see this one.
Little 5 Points Halloween Photo Walk
Photographs are displayed on storefront windows throughout the neighborhood until November 3, 2021. You can download a map and do a self-guided tour. Go on explore and eat at one of the great neighborhood venues.
You can also see them virtually here until December 31st.
The photos are by artists who won for their images of the annual Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Parade. If you've never been to either, they're definitely not events to be missed!
So much in life and art is captured by the wonder of photography. It is a huge part of my life and I am grateful to live in a city that celebrates it every day and kicks that joy even higher during the month of October. ACP offers a multitude of ways to experience the arts whether it's a quick visit on your lunch break to see a show at a library or go out to dinner and walk through one in a public venue. I aspire to see more and hope you do too.
