Urban Art Collective is Chamblee’s “hidden gem”
A brick building on Peachtree Road in Chamblee alongside the railroad tracks is a haven for scores of local artists.
This is where they independently produce creations that span various artistic disciplines—painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and more.
Urban Art Collective (UAC) is home to more than 30 professional artists. The studios range from neat spaces with framed art pieces stylishly arranged on walls to messy studios with paint and other media on the floors and walls with works displayed in random fashion.
Whether one prefers traditional works or more contemporary creations, the collective is a place to view art, watch artists in the creative process, talk to those artists, and purchase their works.
“The Collective brings together local independent artists, each with their own studio and practice, within one shared creative community,” said Jasmine Shammay, an artist who rents space at UAC and who recently leads its marketing efforts.
Among the artists with studio space at UAC:
- Dana Reese, contemporary folk art, abstract florals and figures
- Ann Johnson, nature/animal/people portraits
- Bob Mahoney, photography
- Ali Howell, jewelry designer
- Daisy-Anne Dickson salvages discarded, surplus, or broken materials, repurposing them into her abstract artwork
Shammay has been part of UAC for five years and her contemporary mixed-media fine art blends design and texture “across subjects including nature, Judaica, figurative work and Western influences.”
The collective’s studios are open to the public Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as by appointment. However, several times a year UAC invites the public in for special meet the artists and art events. The next one is Fall Art Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 13 when all studios will be open and “lite bites” and refreshments will be served.
“Our Fall Art Walk is one of those opportunities to experience the Collective in person,” said Shammay via email. “We’ll be opening the studios to the public for the event, with participating artists welcoming guests into their spaces and sharing new work and collections.
“We hope people come to experience the work, support local artists and small businesses, and discover original pieces that resonate with them,” said Shammay. “Most of all, I’d love for visitors to leave feeling inspired and connected to the creative community right here in their own backyard.”
Located just north of Chamblee’s Antique District at 5655 Peachtree Road, the building formerly housed a home décor business until 2012 when the owner invited other creatives to share the space.
“It’s a quiet, historic pocket of town that feels like a hidden gem,” said Shammay of the collective’s location.
For more information on UAC, go to urbanartcollective5655.com.
