Colony Square To Feature 12 Artists Selected By Hambidge Creative

ATLANTA, Ga. – Colony Square will get a makeover of sorts this spring when the work of 12 featured artists will at least temporarily grace empty spaces along the Midtown business, residential and cultural hotspot.

The artists were selected by members of Hambidge Creative Hive, an artist enclave project, as well as by presenting sponsors North American Properties, the PNC Foundation and SKYY Vodka.

The move is the latest in the ongoing transformation of Colony Square into a more modernized city mecca that is more in touch with the vibrant community around it.

“Artist enclaves are often pushed to the fringes of society, but this innovative project brings the art community center stage at the heart of Midtown Atlanta,” said Jaime Badoud, executive director at The Hambidge Center, in a statement. “From live-figure drawing battles promoted by artists trash-talking each other to a deconstructed Islamic Garden, this group of creatives is sure to deliver unique, interactive works of art for the public’s enjoyment and engagement.”

The Hambidge team had initially planned to select just seven artists from 62 candidates, only to expand their list. The 12 artists selected will move into their spaces immediately, and the installations will be open for public interaction from April 1 to June 3.

Judges included Jonathan Odden, High Museum Curatorial Assistant, Contemporary and Modern Art; Neda Abghari, Founder and Executive Director of The Creatives Project; Karen Comer Lowe, Director at Chastain Arts Center; Jessica Helfrecht, Independent Curator; Susan Bridges, Whitespace gallery owner; Dayna Thacker, Artist and Hambidge Center Communications Director; and Jamie Badoud, Hambidge Center Executive Director.

The names of the art projects selected were World Wide Art Federation, Queen of the Field, Breath of the Compassionate, Midtown Players Club, The Rivalry of Your Elements, Bojanna Ginn & Brian Ginn, The Untamed Parlor, You are Welcome You’re Welcome, Hive Mind Arise, Free Art!, Scene and Fly on a Wall.

Upcoming events in which these artists’ work can be seen include several workshops/demonstrations, as well as Open House receptions in Colony Square’s outside courtyard and/or indoor atrium from April 1 to May 27. They are free to the public.

There will be a Hambidge Art Auction and Performance Gala on April 29. The closing event will take place on June 3 with a dance party and popping Hackenwerth’s balloon sculpture in the atrium.

Located at the corner of Peachtree and 14^th Streets, Colony Square lies in the very heart of Atlanta. With two office towers totaling 720,000 square feet, residential condos, a 467-room hotel and a 163,000-square foot retail center offers much to the city of Atlanta and the immediate community around it.

Photo courtesy of Hambidge Creative Hive