King Historic District gains two new art spaces on Edgewood Avenue

January 15th, 2025

Both The Sun ATL (left) and One Contemporary Gallery (right) open on Friday, Jan. 17. (Shawn Vinson)
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Dale Kocevski (Colby College) / NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Dale Kocevski (Colby College)

Two new art spaces debut in the King Historic District this weekend when One Contemporary Gallery and The Sun ATL open their doors, joining nearly a dozen galleries and art organizations in the area, including the Atlanta Center for Photography and Whitespace.

Grand opening celebrations begin on Friday with One Contemporary Gallery’s “The Start of Something,” a group show of millennial artists who are at pivotal moments in their practice. The gallery was founded by Faron Manuel, former director of the Black Art In America Foundation.

And just next door, The Sun ATL will premiere “First Light,” an exhibition with work by 16 local and international artists, including paintings by the late Purvis Young and documentary photographs by Jim Alexander.

Longtime Atlanta gallerist Shawn Vinson founded Sun ATL, which aims to be part gallery, museum and event hub. Vinson recently joined “City Lights” managing producer Kim Drobes with details on the grand opening celebrations and the new exhibitions that introduce Atlanta to the Sun ATL and One Contemporary.

Located in a renovated 9,200-square-foot building, Sun ATL offers a library, a listening room and striking views of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

“You can feel the history walking around this neighborhood,” Vinson said. “Our front window frames the church beautifully — it’s a constant reminder of the significance of this area.”

“First Light” is a metaphor, Vinson explained.

“Especially given that the gallery is called The Sun,” he said. “It’s about shining a light on these incredible artists.”

Beyond the works of Young and Alexander, highlights also include Raphael Bahindwa’s vivid paintings, which tell stories of the Congo’s resource exploitation.

“They’re striking,” said Vinson. “His use of fluorescent colors against black backgrounds makes the works pop with life and urgency.”