Local Stories 2021
Local Stories is an initiative that uses creative storytelling to present lesser-known facts about Downtown Atlanta's rich history. In 2021, A&E Atlanta worked with curators Anna Akpele and Emily Blackwell to select four Atlanta artists to each interpret a local story through a visual lens.
An Atlanta native, Anna Akpele graduated from SCAD in 2014, with a BFA in Graphic Design and a minor in Photography. Shortly after graduation, Anna began working in the field of fine arts as a gallery manager for a previously prominent photography gallery known as Hagedorn Foundation Gallery.
Emily Blackwell is the gallery retail owner of No Signal in downtown Atlanta. Emily has a passion for the art of yesterday, with a focus on vintage furniture and fashion archival history. Her mediums include design installations, media marketing, and creative brand management.
Click on each artwork below to view the art and read the full story.