What To Expect At Atlanta BeltLine’s Upcoming Free Art Festival
Atlanta BeltLine’s A.M.F.M. Summer Festival organizers (L-R) Angelica Pugh, Nikia Knight, EuGene Byrd III, Willow Goldstein, Miranda Kyle, Meredith Kooi and (center) Tyree Smith will be holding festivities in The Bakery.
Lauren Booker
Immerse all of your senses in the arts at the first-ever Art.Movement.Film.Music (A.M.F.M) Festival.
The four-day art extravaganza hosted by the Atlanta BeltLine will feature art shows, musical performances, food trucks and speakers series from Aug. 8 to 11 at The Bakery, 825 Warner St. SW, Atlanta. Cohosts of the festival include the National Black Arts Festival’s NextGen Artist Program, ARTlanta Gallery and The Bakery.
“Our purpose is to bring attention to local artists … [at] a lot of big places local talent is overlooked,” Tyree Smith, the founder of ARTlanta Gallery, said.
Here’s what to expect from the festival happening in southwest Atlanta, just steps away from the BeltLine’s Westside Trail.
It’s all about inclusion.
EuGene Byrd III, founder of Future Dead Artists and ARTlanta Gallery partner, said they hope to use art for inclusion within the West End and other Atlanta communities.
“Sometimes change makes people nervous. So what we can do through the arts is bridge that gap and let them know that we are including everyone,” Byrd said. “Art is a good bridge for change.”
Expect to see art that reflects various experiences within Atlanta.
“You want everyone to feel welcome in a space…this is for everyone,” Miranda Kyle, Program Manager at the Atlanta BeltLine, said.
View masterpieces made by locals.
Plan to admire the abundance of art sprinkled throughout The Bakery. Each day, the Atlanta Indie Market will be open to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. at Vendor Row.
Starting on Thursday at 9 p.m. then on Friday and Saturday at 12 p.m., The Hundo Show will feature pieces made by established artists that can be bought for $100. Smith said they hope to boost investment in the arts through the show.
“Every time we do them, we sell out of all the artwork. It’s great for the artist and for the community to be involved with that,” Smith said.
Come experience art through live performances.
From musical shows to crafted fashions, local artists will take center stage during the festival. Hear Bent Frequency, an Atlanta based contemporary music ensemble, on The Loading Dock of The Bakery on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Then on Thursday, see a freestyle rap session at the Soul Food Cypher on Thursday at 8 p.m.
Local students will show off their fashion design skills at the NBAF and ARTlanta Gallery Fashion Show on Saturday, Aug. 11. Angelica Pugh, with the NBAF NextGen Artist program, said the students’ pieces will be composed of recycled goods.
“The theme is ‘One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Art,’” Pugh said. “We are very excited about this. because we are giving them an opportunity to do art outside of the classroom.”
Visit panels to learn more about the arts.
Expand your knowledge about the business, culture and history behind art in Atlanta at the festival’s panels. The first panel on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. will be on the process behind public art. Byrd will be speaking about investing in art during a panel Thursday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m.
Skip driving to the event.
Parking is not available on the festival grounds. The organizers encourage attendees to use ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. The event location also has easy access to the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail off of Allene Avenue. The West End MARTA station stop is can be found less than a mile away.
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