Atlanta’s 10 Best Contemporary Art Galleries | Cultural Georgia

Located in an artistic, European-style building, Besharat Gallery and its subsidiary gallery Besharat Contemporary are must-see venues in Atlanta. Promising high-quality works by acclaimed local, national and international artists, Besharat has established itself as one of the best contemporary galleries in the city. Owned by Massoud Besharat, the gallery focuses on photography, although works in multiple other mediums are also shown. Key artists represented by the gallery include Robert Jessup, Antoni Taule, and Jean Arceli. Besharat holds a number of eclectic exhibitions throughout the year but also holds its own private collection of diverse contemporary artworks.

Alan Avery Art Company (formally known as Trinity Gallery) opened in 1981. The gallery is distinguished not only by its heritage as one of the oldest and largest galleries in southeast America, but by its consistent delivery of stunning contemporary artwork. The venue presents a visual feast of sculptures, paintings, and photographs curated by experienced gallerist and owner Alan Avery. The gallery presents artists at all stages of their careers: from up-and-coming regional talents to celebrated international figures. Artists of note amongst the gallery’s extensive roster include Robert Rauschenberg, Chuck Close, Caio Fonseca, Thomas Hart Benton, and Robert Kipniss. Alan Avery is also renowned for its lavish vernissages and its unique environment to experience high-quality contemporary art.

Captivating and emotive artworks are a guarantee at Pryor Fine Art. Established originally as the Bennet Street Gallery in 1988 by artist and entrepreneur Susie Pryor, the gallery has flourished over the years. The gallery presents a unique collection of works that transcend their medium, transforming everyday objects and moments into tangible experiences. There is a strong focus on painting but it also features sculptural works. Works on show at Pryor Fine Art aim to create strong connections with the viewer, immersing them in the creative process. The gallery represents 50 artists from across the United States and Canada, and supports both established and emerging figures whose work illustrates an innovative approach to technique and content. Artists of note include Jean-Louis Emond, Michael Schultheis, Katharina Chapuis and Steven Seinberg.

The High Museum of Art is not only a leading south-east art museum, but also one of the most recognizable landmarks in Atlanta. Designed by Richard Meier and Renzo Piano, the museum itself is a work of art. It houses a permanent collection of over 13,000 artworks, including modern and contemporary art, and photography. The museum also prides itself on being the only major museum in North America to have a department dedicated specifically to exhibiting and collecting folk and self-taught art by southern artists. In addition to its exhibition program of significant national and international artists, The High Museum of Art holds regular events such as Friday Night Jazz, and Films at the High, ensuring a busy schedule of educational and entertaining activities.

Founded by self-taught artist Lloyd Benjamin in 2005, Get This! Gallery is an immaculate exhibition space with a unique, laid-back feel. It represents both emerging local talents and established contemporary artists through their compelling year-round program of solo exhibitions, thematic group shows and exhibitions by guest curators. Get This! Gallery features a variety of media including woodcuts, printmaking and street art. It exudes a professional yet unpretentious approach to contemporary art, providing high quality exhibition opportunities for up-and-coming talents such as street artists Paper Twins. Other represented artists include photographer Stephanie Dowda, installation artist Gyun Hur and sculptor Drew Conrad.

Nestled among a number of commercial and non-profit art spaces in Atlanta’s Westside Arts District, TWIN KITTENS brings further diversification with its inspiring business approach and aesthetic values. The generous and empowering spirit of TWIN KITTENS is represented by its 0% commission policy, enabling artists to maintain control over the sale of their artworks. As a result, exhibitions at the gallery are ambitious and thought-provoking, often containing an element of risk-taking on the part of the artist and always showing a great deal of artistic consideration. TWIN KITTENS hosts a range of creative programs and community engagement projects throughout the year, aimed at empowering working artists and inspiring the local community alongside innovative exhibitions by local national and international artists such as Kristen Jensen, Ryan Thayer and Anthony Wislar.

Spacious yet intimate art space Mason Murer Fine Art is a crown jewel in the Atlanta arts scene. Established in 2004, this well designed fine art gallery is the largest in Atlanta and boasts a truly unique offering of contemporary works by regional, national and international artists. Featured artists include sculptor Heather Hilton, mixed media artist Toby Martin, and abstract painter Allison Shockley. Mason Murer’s selection of contemporary works and curatorial focus is continually evolving, ensuring innovation while retaining the level of quality of content and presentation that had come to be associated with this award-winning gallery. In addition to its strong exhibition program, Mason Murer encourages the artistic development of up-and-coming talents through its annual Fresh Blood exhibition, featuring works across all media by recent graduates.

Whitespace Gallery was founded by Susan Bridges and is housed in a converted carriage house in the historic Inman Park. This modern gallery has an intriguing interior with a modern yet nostalgic feel, but its layout is highly suited to the artworks on show. Its cantilevered walls allow the space to change from an art gallery to an installation room depending on the requirements of the exhibition. Exhibitions at Whitespace are experimental and often include a combination of objects, images, video projections, and installations which are carefully curated and amplified by the atmosphere of the gallery. Featured artists include multimedia husband and wife duo Whitney and Micah Stansel, Meg Aubrey, Laura Bell, Robin Bernat and Jonathan Bouknight. The gallery is an integral part of Atlanta’s cultural community, guaranteeing the presentation of unique works by established and emerging contemporary artists.

A driving force in the local community, Atlanta Contemporary is one of a kind. Founded in 1973, the non-profit, non-collecting institution is known for showcasing cutting-edge, controversial works of art by local and international emerging and established artists. Its seasonal exhibition program is guaranteed to impress even the most seasoned gallery visitor. Atlanta Contemporary holds six to ten exhibitions per year alongside an extensive and diverse education program designed to enhance public experience of contemporary art. Shows often demonstrate a particular focus on artists who have not previously been shown in the southeast. Over the years, the center has exhibited works by many noteworthy artists including Anne Lindberg, Bill Adams, and Kerry Schuss. Atlanta Contemporary’s highly popular annual multi-media event, Art Party, is also not to be missed.

The Museum of Contemporary Art, Georgia (MOCA GA), focuses on works by artists with strong links to the region. Since its opening in 2002, the museum has developed a strong reputation for the exhibition of contemporary art of the highest quality, establishing itself as one of the leading visual arts galleries Georgia. MOCA GA usually holds around ten dynamic and challenging temporary exhibitions per year by Georgia-based and international artists. Exhibitions at MOCA GA feature a wide range of media including painting, print, sculpture, photography, and installation, while the ever-evolving permanent collection consists of over 800 works by significant artists such as Radcliffe Bailey and Harry Callahan. The institution’s abundance of educational and community engagement programs also facilitates active interaction between artists and the public.