Author: Tee Johnson

 The Atlanta Art Fair, now in its highly anticipated second edition, is open this weekend at the historic Pullman Yards, transforming the industrial landmark into a bustling hub of contemporary creativity from September 25 to 28.

Building on the inaugural event’s success—which drew over 12,000 visitors and earned rave reviews from outlets like Vanity Fair and Forbes—this year’s fair promises an even more expansive lineup, featuring more than 70 galleries from Atlanta, across the U.S., and around the world.

Organized by Art Market Productions (AMP), the fair cements Atlanta’s status as a rising powerhouse in the American art landscape. “Atlanta is no longer emerging—it’s arrived,” declared Forbes last year, a sentiment echoed by Fair Director Kelly Freeman, who envisions the event as a “cultural catalyst” for the South.

Under Freeman’s leadership, alongside Artistic Director Nato Thompson and local advisors Tim and Dirk von Gal of the Intersect Art Fair group, the 2025 edition amplifies Southern voices while fostering international exchange.

Expect a dynamic mix of paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, and immersive installations that challenge, inspire, and provoke.

A Feast for the Senses at Pullman Yards

Nestled in the Pratt Pullman District, Pullman Yards’ cavernous halls and open-air spaces provide the perfect canvas for artistic expression.

The fair’s expanded exhibitor roster includes local favorites like the Pamela Walsh Gallery, alongside national and global heavyweights, showcasing works that bridge regional traditions with cutting-edge global trends.

One standout is the Public Art Tour, a series of site-specific installations woven throughout the venue, inviting visitors to wander and discover hidden gems amid the fair’s industrial backdrop.

Programming takes center stage this year, with a robust schedule of artist talks, panel discussions, live performances, and special events. Curated by Thompson with contributions from Atlanta’s own Melissa Messina, these sessions dive deep into the creative process, tackling themes from Southern identity to climate resilience in art.

Highlights include a keynote on “Art as Activism” featuring emerging Black artists in partnership with the National Black Arts Festival, and interactive workshops led by Flux Projects.

The fair’s commitment to community shines through its collaborations with Atlanta’s cultural pillars: the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Contemporary, Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, and more.

These partnerships ensure the event isn’t just a marketplace but a full immersion in the city’s ecosystem, where collectors, curators, and casual enthusiasts mingle under one roof.

Tickets, Tips, and Why You Can’t Miss It

General admission tickets start at $25, with Fair Passes offering unlimited access for the full weekend, including the exclusive Opening Evening Party on September 25.

Atlanta Design at Callanwolde members can snag 10% off with code ADAC. Pro tip: Arrive early for Day One (September 26) to beat the crowds and catch Creative Loafing‘s critic’s pick—it’s primed to be a highlight of the fall season.

In a city that’s long punched above its weight in music, film, and civil rights history, the Atlanta Art Fair underscores why the visual arts are the next frontier. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply seeking inspiration, this weekend at Pullman Yards is your invitation to witness Atlanta’s artistic pulse—and perhaps take home a piece of it.

For more details and tickets, visit theatlantaartfair.com. Follow @AtlantaArtFair on social for live updates.

In a thriller that had Sanford Stadium rocking until the final whistle, the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs suffered a gut-wrenching 24-21 loss to the No. 16 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday night, ending the Bulldogs’ illustrious 33-game home winning streak dating back to 2019.

The defeat, Georgia’s first of the 2025 season, leaves the Bulldogs at 4-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play, while Alabama improves to 3-1 (1-0 SEC) and hands UGA head coach Kirby Smart another chapter in his ongoing rivalry saga with the Tide.

The game was a defensive slugfest turned offensive fireworks in the second half, with Alabama jumping out to a commanding halftime lead before Georgia clawed back valiantly but fell just short on a controversial late fourth-down gamble.

A crowd of over 92,746—many clad in red and black, braving a crisp fall evening under partly cloudy skies—watched as the Bulldogs’ comeback bid evaporated in the fourth quarter.

Alabama struck first in the opening quarter, with quarterback Ty Simpson connecting with wide receiver Germie Bernard on a 6-yard touchdown pass to cap a 75-yard drive, putting the Tide up 7-0 with 7:41 left.

Georgia answered swiftly in the second, as freshman quarterback Gunner Stockton aired out a 38-yard strike to Colbie Young, trimming the deficit to 14-7 midway through the frame after Alabama had added a field goal off a Georgia fumble.

But the Crimson Tide poured it on late in the half. Simpson, who finished 24-of-38 for 276 yards and two scores, bulled in from 2 yards out with just 34 seconds remaining, extending Alabama’s lead to 24-14.

A Georgia fumble by running back Nate Frazier earlier in the quarter had set up an Alabama field goal, but the dagger was Simpson’s ability to evade the rush just enough to make play after play.

Trailing by 10 at the break, Georgia’s defense—ranked among the nation’s best—forced a crucial stop to open the third quarter, stuffing Simpson for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-1 at the Bulldogs’ 49-yard line.

The offense capitalized, marching 51 yards in nine plays capped by Josh McCray’s 1-yard plunge, pulling UGA within 24-14 after a two-point conversion.

The Bulldogs’ rushing attack, which tallied 227 yards on the night, kept them alive. Sophomore Chauncey Bowens led the way with 12 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown, while McCray added his short-yardage score.

Stockton, maturing with every game, showed poise with his deep ball to Young, finishing with solid efficiency despite the loss.

Alabama’s efficiency on third downs proved the difference, converting 12 of 19 attempts to control the clock and tempo, as Smart noted postgame.

“A lot of credit to Alabama. They out-executed us tonight… I’ve never been 13-of-19 on third down. That tells the tale of the game,” Smart said, lamenting his defense’s inability to get off the field.

The Bulldogs held Alabama’s run game in check but couldn’t disrupt the passing attack.

Georgia’s 4th & 1 Call

The game’s defining moment came late in the fourth, with Georgia driving to the Alabama 9-yard line facing fourth-and-1 and trailing by three.

Opting against a chip-shot field goal, Smart unleashed running back Cash Jones on a quick-hitter, but Tide linebacker LT Overton stuffed him for a 2-yard loss, turning the ball over on downs.

“If we gained anything, we were going for it… I do that 10 out of 10 times,” Smart defended the call, explaining it was sequenced from prior plays and aimed at catching Alabama off-guard with tempo. “The decision is whether you go for it with tempo or not, and we felt like tempo had been really good.”

Unable to regain possession effectively—punting on fourth-and-13 with 3:19 left—Georgia watched as Alabama methodically bled the clock with first-down conversions to seal the win.

Despite the defeat, Smart praised his team’s resilience. “I am very proud of our guys and the way they fought… We’ve got a good football team that’s got to get better. I love the team in that locker room,” he said, emphasizing the second-half shutdown that limited Alabama to seven points after the break.

On the other sideline, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer lauded his squad’s grit. “Just a great team win… You’re going to get punches thrown at you. What’s your response going to be? Our response was to punch back,” DeBoer said, highlighting the road victory’s significance in silencing early-season doubters.

Final Word

For Georgia fans, the loss stings as a missed opportunity in a season of high expectations.

The Bulldogs’ home dominance—unbeaten in Athens since a 2019 slip-up against South Carolina—has been a cornerstone of the program’s recent dynasty, including two national titles under Smart. With Auburn looming next week on the tough schedule in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, UGA will look to rebound quickly.

As the final horn sounded, a mix of boos and applause echoed through the stadium, a testament to the passion of Bulldog Nation. In the SEC meat grinder, losses like this build character—or break teams. For now, Georgia licks its wounds, but the fight in Athens is far from over.