Atlanta Contemporary Hosts Winter Exhibits Showcasing Georgia Women Artists

Five innovative female artists from Georgia explore the book as an artistic medium and the power of language and memory.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:23am

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The Atlanta Contemporary art center is hosting a series of winter exhibits featuring the work of five Georgia women artists who are redefining the book as an artistic medium and exploring the physicality of language and memory. The exhibits, which run from February 1 to May 17, 2026, include "Georgia Women to Watch 2026: A Book Arts Revolution," "Unbound Narratives: Embodied Language," "A Litany for Shelter" by Natalie Rose Eddings, "Bleed" by Jean Shon, and "Dokafleh" by Brittany Adeline King. Additionally, the "Rejoice, Resist, Rest: Images of Black Liberation" exhibit showcases student artworks and archival materials from the Johnson Publishing Company.

Why it matters

These exhibits highlight the innovative and boundary-pushing work of female artists from Georgia, providing a platform for them to share their unique perspectives and artistic practices. In an era of renewed interest in materiality and narrative, the book arts have emerged as a powerful medium for experimentation, protest, and the exploration of personal and collective memory. The exhibits also draw attention to the rich cultural heritage and artistic talent within the state of Georgia.

The details

The "Georgia Women to Watch 2026: A Book Arts Revolution" exhibit features the work of five Georgia artists - Eliza Bentz, Hannah Israel, Cynthia Lollis, Serena Perrone, and Eileen Wallace - who are redefining the book as an artistic medium. "Unbound Narratives: Embodied Language" brings together four artists - Bethany Collins, February James, a'driane nieves, and Gabi Madrid - who use language as a physical, lived experience. Natalie Rose Eddings' outdoor installation "A Litany for Shelter" explores questions of labor, rest, and interiority, while Jean Shon's "Bleed" examines memory through material acts of transmission. Brittany Adeline King's "Dokafleh" considers the responsibility to keep record through rendered silhouettes and found objects. The "Rejoice, Resist, Rest: Images of Black Liberation" exhibit features student artworks and archival materials from the Johnson Publishing Company.

  • The exhibits will be on display from February 1 to May 17, 2026.

The players

Cynthia Nourse Thompson

The director of Curatorial Affairs at the Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art, who curated the "Georgia Women to Watch 2026: A Book Arts Revolution" exhibit.

Nydia Blas

The M.F.A. professor who directed the "Rejoice, Resist, Rest: Images of Black Liberation" exhibit at Spelman College.

Chad Dawkins

The Ph.D. professor who directed the "Rejoice, Resist, Rest: Images of Black Liberation" exhibit at Spelman College.

Eliza Bentz

A Georgia artist featured in the "Georgia Women to Watch 2026: A Book Arts Revolution" exhibit.

Hannah Israel

A Georgia artist featured in the "Georgia Women to Watch 2026: A Book Arts Revolution" exhibit.

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What they’re saying

“These talented artists engage with the rich and intricate history of bookmaking while also exploring the vast possibilities of the form - structurally, conceptually, and politically. It's a privilege to witness such innovative practices that embody resilience, experimentation, and the transformative power of storytelling in its many varied expressions.”

— Cynthia Nourse Thompson, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art (Creative Loafing)

The takeaway

These winter exhibits at the Atlanta Contemporary highlight the vibrant and diverse artistic talent within the state of Georgia, showcasing how female artists are pushing the boundaries of traditional mediums like the book and exploring the physicality of language and memory. The exhibits provide a platform for innovative and thought-provoking work that engages with important social and cultural themes.