ARTS
Buckhead’s Miami Circle has become the epicenter of fine art in Atlanta for easy conversion to art galleries and design businesses. Open spaces with industrial elements such as exposed steel beams and concrete floors are perfect for showcasing fine art. Another Bennett Street transplant is Thomas Deans Fine Art. Founded in 1983 and now sharing a building with Anne Irwin Fine Art, the gallery specializes in contemporary paintings, contemporary and historical works on paper, as well as the occasional sculpture and photography. “We moved to Miami Circle because the tenants on Bennett Street were changing rapidly. The street was quickly losing its art and antiques focus,” explained founder Thomas Deans. “An art gallery next to an all-night barber shop wasn’t an ideal pairing. At the time, the economy was still recovering and space was plenti-
BY ISADORA PENNINGTON In 1993, Reinike Gallery moved from New Orleans to a space on Miami Circle in Buckhead. The establishment of this art gallery, the first on Miami Circle, set in motion a progression of the area into one of Atlanta’s largest hubs of art and design. Almost 30 years later, Miami Circle is home to a dozen art galleries and a number of specialty design companies for everything from antiques to furniture to fabric. Interior designers and art lovers alike enjoy the proximity of so many businesses that are devoted to art and design, and events like the bi-monthly Miami Circle Art Stroll provide a unique opportunity to tour all of these businesses while enjoying drinks, bites, and socialization. “It has been really good to see everything grow up around us,” explained Emily West, who took over ownership of Anne Irwin Fine Art back in January of 2020. Founded in 1985 by artist Anne Irwin, the gallery occupied a space on Bennett Street before relocating to Miami Circle. “A lot of businesses moved with us when we moved here. In the beginning it was not nearly as busy as it is now; now it’s a hub for the interior design business which are some of our primary clients.” West began working at Anne Irwin Fine Art back in 2012, and she has witnessed the burgeoning art district evolve over the years. She remarked that with every new neighbor, from design shops to galleries, the sense of community on Miami Circle has grown. “Our street has become kind of a onestop-shop for designers and homeowners
26 AUGUST 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS
Johnson in the wake of Lowe’s passing in 2021. In an interview about his rise to the position of executive director for a recent feature, Johnson described his initial impressions of the gallery when he, as a young man, came in to apply for a job. “That first experience of walking into the gallery, it was kind of like standing at the base of Niagara Falls. It was an existential moment,” said Johnson. “It was a real spiritual experience to me when I first walked through the doors of the gallery.” Founded in 1989, the Bill Lowe Gallery was also originally located on Bennett Street before relocating to Miami Circle. While the past few years have been challenging for art spaces given the restrictions of the pandemic, the Bill Lowe Gallery has actually flourished. Whereas in the past many collectors might travel to Miami, New York City, Los Angeles, or abroad to find artwork, when travel became less feasible many art lovers started looking for galA mural by Buckhead Murals welcomes visitors leries to support closer to home. to Miami Circle. (Photo by Isadora Pennington) “It is an ever expanding world,” explained Johnson, noting that the increased emphasis on their online presence has been key in keeping up with the times and weathering the COVID-19 pandemic. “The digital world is ever expanding. We have collectors in Europe and Australia, we have collectors everywhere Inside Thomas Deans Fine Art. now. Because of the political atful on Miami Circle; and importantly, the mosphere and the economic development street was known as a design destination.” of the city, and because of the film industry Emily West with Anne Irwin Fine Art. Deans highlighted the benefits of being and music industry, Atlanta is expanding at located near other art and design businessan exponential rate.” for art, furniture, rugs, lamps… there’s reales, noting that it eases the burden of estabJohnson expressed his belief that the Bill ly a little bit of everything now. Lots of anlishing a gallery as a destination in and of Lowe Gallery is uniquely positioned to retiques and framing. We have all that too,” itself. “Instead, the street itself is the desmain one of the cornerstones of Miami Circontinued West. tination—for all sorts of people interested cle’s design district while also adapting to “The thing I like about being on the in art and design—and you are among the the times and the changing desires of art street with so many galleries is that they places to visit, or discover.” collectors. each have their own distinct personality,” Thomas Deans Fine Art seeks to show“Atlanta has an opportunity to be reshe said. The galleries not only get along, case a diverse array of works created by flective of the diversity of the city,” Johnbut they also refer clients to one another, American and international artists, includson continued. “Our clients come from all embracing the camaraderie lent to them by ing emerging and “blue chip” artists. Deans walks of life and different demographics. their physical proximity. is committed to providing an excellent art We have a very diverse collector communiWest described many of the art showbuying experience for private and corporate ty here both in race and in age, I am hopcased at Anne Irwin Fine Art as soft and collectors, casual buyers, designers, museing that I can expand that to class as well.” serene, and the gallery represents over 40 ums, and art consultants. emerging and mid-career contemporary Just down the street closer to the enartists from across the country. trance to PATH400 is the Bill Lowe GalMany of the buildings on Miami Circle lery, now under the leadership of Donovan were once warehouses, a detail that allowed reporternewspapers.com
