
When Kendra Walker founded Atlanta Art Week, her goal was to advocate for artists and highlight the cityโs cultural landscape. Now entering its third year, it has become a much-needed effort to bring together galleries, artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts to promote education, economic development, and art appreciation both locally and abroad. For this esteemed art advisor and writer, looking back at the weekโs past success is important, but it is paramount that she looks forward to its future, so it can continue to evolve and thrive.
Although this significant event may come to be in 2022, its founder began her art journey long before its impetus. Walkerโs introduction to art was serendipitous, sparked by her studies abroad, which exposed her to some of Europeโs most prestigious institutions, including the Louvre and Tate Modern.
โPrior to that trip, I didnโt have any formal background or understanding of the art space,โ she recalls. โIt was that trip of having formal art history training where I was first put on to the art space,โ This encounter, combined with her fine arts studies at Georgia State University and several pivotal internships, laid the foundation for a career that she describes as a โbeautiful and uniqueโ experience.
Atlanta Art Week was born from Walkerโs observations of the cityโs growing art atmosphere. โI was watching how our ecosystems were thriving and being so active,โ she explains. Inspired to create a platform that would amplify contemporary art on a regional level, Walkerโs vision was to establish a moment in time that would encourage travel, exposure, and expansion for local and international artists. The result was an event that has rapidly gained traction since its inception, attracting over 2,000 ticket holders in its first year.
Reflecting on the eventโs early achievements, the Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree credits the enthusiasm of the cityโs art community. โI think it was able to prosper the first year because of how ready Atlanta was for something like this to exist,โ Walker tells ESSENCE. Without the benefit of a large social media following, AAW was largely driven by word of mouth and support from the local art society.
As the event has grown, so too have the challenges. In the beginning, much of Walkerโs effort went into selling the idea of Atlanta Art Week to participants and supporters. โYouโre very much in grind mode. Going into year three, that same kind of sales pitch isnโt as necessary.โ Now, she finds herself in a new phase, one where reflection and expansion take precedence. โItโs definitely a different set of things weโre thinking about and considering today three versus when we started,โ she says.
One of the key aspects of Walkerโs work is her identity as a Black woman in the art industry. While she approaches her craft with professionalism, she is acutely aware of how her race, gender, and age play a role in her experiences. โFor me, my passion is around Black artists, BIPOC artists,โ she says. โI naturally try to aid in opening doors or creating opportunities that I myself would want.โ However, Walker is committed to inclusivity, ensuring that Atlanta Art Week represents a wide range of voices and perspectives.
Looking ahead, Walker envisions AAW progressing with time, with an emphasis on expansive programming, innovative exhibitions, and more educational content. She hopes to involve more universities and even schools at the middle and high school levels. As she continues to build on the success of her brainchild, Walkerโs dedication to nurturing Atlantaโs art scene and her commitment to creating opportunities for artists remain at the heart of her mission.
โI think Atlanta Art Week has aided in helping individuals from outside the city, internationally, find a moment in time to collectively visit,โ Walker states. โIt also has created a moment for the Atlanta art community to really come together and really and amplify all the amazing work that is happeningโnow the world gets to see.โ