Artist Chronicles LGBTQ History Through Button-Encrusted Art

Beau McCall's 'Divas, Blues, and Memories' exhibition at Hammonds House Museum celebrates friendship, loss, and the healing power of music.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Hammonds House Museum in Atlanta opened an exhibition titled 'Beau McCall: Divas, Blues, and Memories' that showcases McCall's deeply personal button-encrusted collages and wearable art. The exhibition chronicles McCall's circle of friends bonding through 'diva worship' and finding solace in the music of female performers during the 1970s-1990s, as they navigated the early days of the LGBTQ movement. The exhibition, curated by McCall's partner Souleo, balances celebration with remembrance of friends lost to AIDS and other social ills.

Why it matters

The exhibition explores the healing power of music and friendship within the LGBTQ community, particularly during a pivotal time in the movement's history. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by earlier generations and the progress that has been made, while also highlighting the ongoing struggles the community continues to face.

The details

Beau McCall, who has worked with buttons for over 40 years, created the exhibition as a tribute to his friends who passed away during the early days of the LGBTQ movement. The collages and wearable art pieces incorporate dazzling button-encrusted designs that celebrate iconic female performers, such as Dionne Warwick, Cory Daye, and The Pointer Sisters, whose music provided solace and community for McCall and his friends.

  • The exhibition opened on Friday, February 14, 2026 at the Hammonds House Museum in Atlanta.
  • A panel discussion related to the exhibition is scheduled for the following day.

The players

Beau McCall

An artist who has worked with buttons for over 40 years and created the 'Divas, Blues, and Memories' exhibition as a deeply personal tribute to friends lost to AIDS and other social ills during the early days of the LGBTQ movement.

Souleo

Beau McCall's partner, who served as the curator for the 'Divas, Blues, and Memories' exhibition, selecting pieces that balance celebration with remembrance.

Halima Taha

The artistic director of Hammonds House, who noted the exhibition's universal themes of 'love of music and verse and memory and motion and spirit'.

David Manuel

Representing Fulton County's FACE program (Fashion, Art, Culture and Education), who praised McCall's innovative use of materials in his work.

Mo Ivory

The Fulton County Commissioner for District 4, who said during the opening reception that McCall's work made her 'want to dance'.

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What they’re saying

“I walked around and looked at your work, and it made me want to dance.”

— Mo Ivory, Fulton County Commissioner for District 4 (The Atlanta Voice)

“All my friends passed on. I have one of the guys that's in the exhibition. We used to have this conversation about who was going to be the last one to tell the story, and I ended up being the last one.”

— Beau McCall (The Atlanta Voice)

“Music is very important to me in my life. I grew up with jazz playing through the house 24/7. When I came out and met like-minded guys in the LGBT community, we started diva worshiping. These songs bonded our friendships together through music.”

— Beau McCall (The Atlanta Voice)

“In the 1970s, particularly, when Bo and his friends were coming of age in the LGBTQ movement, those were the early days. We've come a significant way in terms of gay marriage, but we see with the government, there's still a lot of challenges up ahead. This show is a reminder that no matter what the odds are, we can overcome them.”

— Souleo, Curator (The Atlanta Voice)

“What you will see is love of music and verse and memory and motion and spirit.”

— Halima Taha, Artistic Director, Hammonds House (The Atlanta Voice)

What’s next

A panel discussion related to the 'Divas, Blues, and Memories' exhibition is scheduled for the day after the opening reception.

The takeaway

The 'Divas, Blues, and Memories' exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and community within the LGBTQ movement, highlighting how music and friendship can provide solace and healing even in the face of adversity. The exhibition's exploration of personal history and universal themes resonates with both the local Atlanta community and a broader audience.