Atlanta has always been a city that punches above its weight - in civil rights, in music, in art, in culture. This exhibition is our chance to show the world exactly why. We have incredible artists working here right now, and a history that belongs to everyone. This Is Atlanta is a celebration of both."
- Shawn Vinson, Founder & Director, The Sun ATL
This Is Atlanta opens June 11, 2026 and runs through July 25 at The Sun ATL, 399 Edgewood Avenue SE in the historic Old Fourth Ward. Spanning two floors and 9,200 square feet, the exhibition brings together painters, photographers, a neon artist, and self-taught visionaries - each born, based, or with a deep connection to Atlanta and the American South.
Two miles from Atlanta Stadium. One block from The King Center. Steps from Ebenezer Baptist Church. This summer, as the world comes to Atlanta, This Is Atlanta is our chance to show our incredible artists and a history that belongs to everyone. We hope visitors carry something with them long after the final whistle.
In celebration of the beautiful game, the exhibition features football-inspired works by Raphael Bahindwa - a Congolese-born painter and SCAD graduate - and Kosmo Vinyl, whose connection to Atlanta dates to 1982 when he accompanied The Clash for their legendary concert at The Fox Theatre.
Veteran photographers Jim Alexander, Sue Ross, and Steve West contribute candid portraits of iconic Atlantans who shaped history - from civil rights leaders to cultural figures whose influence extends well beyond this city.
The Southern vernacular tradition is represented by Howard Finster, "Panorama Ray" Herbert, Purvis Young, and Harry Underwood, while Atlanta-based contemporary artists Eben Dunn, Ruth Franklin, Anna Jensen, and Ato Ribeiro bring the city's current creative voice to the fore.
Also on view: Self Fashioning Sacred Selves, a powerful exhibition centering the ways Black artists and communities create their own identities through movement arts, visual arts, and storytelling - with a Juneteenth artist talk and film viewing on June 19.
This Is Atlanta is a work in progress - much like the city itself. Curator and gallery director Shawn Vinson expects to add artists and make adjustments through installation. Check back for updates.
