Westside Atlanta Artist Colony Doubles Capacity, Adds Ceramics Studio

Second Phase of Guardian Studios at Echo Street West is now underway and will open in January with space for more than 30 local artists

After opening Guardian Studios this summer and signing agreements with 13 local artists, Lincoln Property Company today announced plans for a second phase that expands the number of studio spaces and creative offerings at Echo Street West, the 19-acre mixed-use village rising in English Avenue. This January, the former warehouse turned artist colony will unveil 17 more art studios and one of the largest ceramics studios in Atlanta.

Throughout the next phase of Guardian Studios, Lincoln will continue to partner with Black Women in Visual Art (BWVA), a local minority and women-led arts advocacy group, to manage the studio rentals and curate exhibits. Phase two will deliver 17 studios ranging in size from 240 to over 1,000 square feet, bringing the artist colony to over 30 artists while fostering an energetic community of collaboration, creativity and inventiveness. Guardian Studios will also introduce a complete ceramics studio equipped with kilns and pottery wheels, a much-needed addition for local ceramics artists who lack access to spaces with adequate technology, ventilation and square footage.

“The interest and excitement that accompanied the first phase of Guardian Studios was everything we had hoped for – a colony of local artists coming together to bring unique concepts and art to the Westside,” said Tony Bartlett, Executive Vice President of Lincoln Property Company. “Echo Street West is being designed for people to connect, learn and try new experiences and having artists as part of our community drives home our vision for the project. We’re excited to continue expanding this creative community and provide a place for English Avenue and the surrounding neighborhoods to engage with interesting local art.”

The first phase of Guardian Studios was met with great success, featuring 14 studios ranging from 200 to 500 square feet, a 3,000-square-foot open gallery space and multiple outdoor murals. Since opening, all studio spaces have been leased, with artists boasting different mediums and focuses, from mural painting and custom upholstery to fine arts and photography. Each creator possesses a unique story and conveys that through their concepts, such as:

  • Sawdust and Fabric – Growing up, the only art experience Shankevia Mitchell had was making doll clothes out of scraps lying around the house. Today, she’s brought her dream of owning a business to life with Sawdust and Fabric, a custom upholstery and home furnishing brand. Her space at Guardian Studios is designed with vibrant colors and thoughtful details, conducive to the inspiration and creativity put into each and every piece of work. Guests are invited to shop Mitchell’s wide range of custom pieces, including home furnishings, pillows and chairs.

  • Madeline K Barry Fine Art – After working with an artist collective in Brussels for a few years, Madeline Barry decided to move back home and bring her fine arts talent to Atlanta. Barry specializes in live event painting, murals and custom commissioned pieces with women as the inspiration. Each of her works celebrate women and the different paradoxes they embody, such as being both soft and fierce or having a career while being a mother. Barry started in a few different spaces before finding her home at Guardian Studios, where she is excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with local artists and share her approach with the community.

“Being at a walkable development was a huge part of my decision to come to Echo Street West, especially since it’s not finished yet,” said Barry. “Bringing artists into this major project at the beginning shows that the developers genuinely want to partner with the community and invest in the neighborhood. There are so many opportunities with the retail, office and BeltLine connectivity – it’s going to be transformative for the area and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.”

To learn more about BWVA, including updates on Guardian Studios, available studio space and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.blackwomeninvisualart.com. For the latest project updates and details on upcoming events, follow Echo Street West on Facebook and Instagram or visit echostreetwest.com.

About Echo Street West

Echo Street West is a 19-acre, mixed-use community rising in Atlanta’s Westside at the intersection of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and Northside Drive. Echo Street West is located in short proximity to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, Georgia Tech and the new Westside Park and is directly on The Atlanta Beltline Westside Connector, not far from where Microsoft, Apple and Amazon are making investments. Echo Street West is a multi-phase project with the initial development consisting of 300,000 square feet of creative office space, 50,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 292 multifamily units, an events venue, artist colony and 3.4 acres of outdoor entertainment and greenspace. Future phases will bring additional office, retail, residential and hotel components to the site.

About Black Women in Visual Art

Founded in 2019 by two arts professionals, BWVA was created to steward and nurture enduring representation and leadership in the visual arts and cultural sector. BWVA aims to foster networks, share resources and develop programs with the goal of increasing visibility for women in the global majority. With the mission at the forefront, the company’s goals are to promote lasting equity in the visual arts and cultural ecosystem, cultivate effective mentorship across the sector, participate in arts advocacy, provide opportunities for educational and professional development. To learn more, visit www.blackwomeninvisualart.com.