On Friday, April 8, get ready for a foot traffic jam that isn’t the result of a big sports event or a parade through the streets of Atlanta. Venture into the Castleberry Hill district between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., and you’ll find hundreds of art aficionados weaving in and out of galleries.
This edition of the monthly event, which occurs every second Friday, gallery owners expect a large influx of visitors as the weather warms up and walkers emerge from winter hibernation.
Castleberry Hill, a three-street triangle formed by Peter, Walker and Nelson streets, is located just west of Downtown Atlanta. It’s lined with art galleries, studios, businesses and bars. The landscape of the arts-centric community has changed throughout the years, but Castleberry Hill has retained a reputation synonymous with support for the arts. The galleries that line the streets cater to all forms of art — everything from the emerging to traditional to contemporary.
Denise Jackson, the founder of Emerging Art Scene, a gallery located on Nelson Street, believes that the relationship between galleries in Castleberry Hill creates the perfect atmosphere for such a thriving arts scene and a popular art stroll.
“The galleries are all very supportive of each other and encouraging and generous,” Jackson said. “Castleberry Hill has all worked together to create a strong art scene and even with the economy in the state that it is in, people have continued to support the neighborhood. We want to see the art community across the board doing well.”
For the April stroll, Jackson will be channeling an industrial loft feel in her new show. She will feature large, industrial pieces by Colton Brown and Scott Strayder. The live-work studio will also be displaying other small-scale pieces, as well as bringing in music and an espresso bar to please visitors. Emerging Art Scene will be among several other galleries — including Besharat Gallery, Castleberry Point, Granite Room, Marcia Wood Gallery and many others — slated to participate in April’s art stroll.
With such a bustling arts scene, it’s no wonder the art stroll has become such a popular event. The neighborhood association has even recently established an art stroll committee that organizes volunteers and makes the stroll more navigable and appealing to guests. Unlike other art strolls in the city, the Castleberry Hill neighborhood is highly accommodating to pedestrians, as all galleries are practically a stone’s throw away from each other. Businesses and restaurants also take part in the event, usually offering specials for the night or allowing artists or musicians to showcase work at their businesses.
Mandie Turner Mitchell, the founder of Sous Whisky Marin on Peter Street, has seen great support for the studio through the art walk. Mitchell describes Sous Whisky Marin as a gathering place for fine art, music, theatre, literature, education and performance. The venue also acts as a working studio for artists and performers with a “cozy speakeasy feel.”
“Attending the Art Stroll many times over the years as a student, artist and curator, I’ve always found something I liked and enjoyed myself,” Mitchell said. “This has always been my experience in Castleberry Hill…there has been a real benefit to bringing the arts to Castleberry.”
During the April 8 stroll, Sous Whisky Marin will showcase a performance by Jessica Johnson that she self-described as a “multi-media-mutilating atrocity.” There will be a video screening of the performance as well as Johnson’s sketchbook and comic book pieces on display.
Since it began, the event has grown exponentially in popularity. Creative Loafing has named the Castleberry Hill Art Stroll Best in Atlanta for the past two years.
“You’ll find some hidden gems and even develop favorite galleries that you will want to come back to,” Jackson said.
To check out the art stroll and find more information on participating galleries and businesses, visit www.castleberryhill.org.
