Best Of Atlanta Poets Large1

Poets, Artists & Madmen

It doesn’t take a peek into Ponce City Market or walk along the Atlanta Beltine to know that the city of Atlanta’s landscape is in the midst of a rapid transformation. Whether or not all of this stadium and streetcar building will benefit the city’s greater cultural good remains to be seen. But like any major development in Atlanta’s historic past one thing that has always remained constant is the artistic community’s willingness to adapt, adjust, and stay inspired.

Case and point: This year’s Forward Warrior Project in Cabbagetown, spearheaded by local artist Peter Ferrari. In a year where Living Walls took some time off, and neighborhoods are losing character one mixed-use development at a time, Ferrari and co. brought more than 30 local visual artists out to cover the walls along Wylie Street in June. Going down in a historic neighborhood, relatively untouched by outside corporate hands, the resulting event showed how strong and inspirational our native creatives are.

This year we wanted to highlight the people, places, and organizations that have and still do fuel the city’s artistic spirit in the face of unprecedented change. Whereas old faithfuls such as the Fox Theatre and Adult Swim — which continues to put out quality, bat-shit-crazy programming 15 years after its launch — have stuck to their guns, there’s also a new crop of names filling voids left by creatives past.

Murmur Media, aka the Atlanta Zine Fest, opened its permanent space in South Downtown this summer, and now local zinesters have a venue to mix, mingle, and, most importantly, create. In a year where social justice and injustice was a hot-button issue, Wussy Mag emerged as thoughtful, well-curated voice for the city’s LGBTQ community.

The last year also saw more than $6 billion come through the state thanks to television and film production crews. On any given day there’s at least 30 productions being filmed in Georgia, so we decided to show love to some of the best in local TV and film. The local lit scene is still going strong, so we put the spotlight on everyone from the ol’ school players (Write Club) to the new-school fools (Lit. Atlanta). And how would we be able to keep track of all of this without our local documentarians? We turned the lens on four photographers (Ryan Vizzions, Julian Plowden, @welovebuhi, and Proph Bundy) who, in their own distinct styles, help us visualize Atlanta’s past, present, and future.

Regardless of what Atlanta looks like in years to come, you can bet that the visual and performing artists will have their say. We — residents, politicians, and civic leaders — owe it to ourselves to stop, look, and listen to their messages.

— Gavin Godfrey, Culture Editor

Best play BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Avenue Q

Best pop-up art space BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

weloveatl truck

www.weloveatl.org

Best public art event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Flux Projects

www.fluxprojects.org

Best public art event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Forward Warrior

Best public artwork BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Atlanta Beltline Inc

www.beltline.org

Best reading series BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Best stage director BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Freddie Ashley

www.actors-express.com/people/freddie-ashley

Best street art BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Krog Street Tunnel

Best street photographer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Lauren Holley

www.laurenholley.com

Best theater company BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Dad's Garage Theatre

Best touring dance performance BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Alvin Ailey

www.alvinailey.org

Best touring play BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Wicked

www.atlanta.broadway.com/shows/wicked-ss2

Best TV series made in Atlanta BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

The Walking Dead

www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead

«
1
2 (current)
»

Best local cultural ambassador BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Omar "Chilly"

Best local female actor BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Amber Nash AND Alison Hastings

Amber Nash

www.dadsgarage.com/Performers/Amber-Nash.aspx

AND

Alison Hastings

Best local lit publisher BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Deer Bear Wolf

www.deerbearwolf.com

Best local male actor BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Chris Kayser

www.alliancetheatre.org/member/chris-kayser

Best local playwright BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Topher Payne

www.topherpayne.com

Best Local Poet BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Terrill Soules

This is just a TEST created by David Miller (body)

Best local residency BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

MINT Gallery

www.mintatl.org

Best local screenwriter BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Tyler Perry

www.tylerperry.com

Best local spoken word artist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Theresa Davis

www.theresa-davis.com

Best local zine BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Deer Bear Wolf

www.deerbearwolf.com

Best male actor BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Kevin Harry

Best mural BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Krog Street Tunnel

Best muralist with a message BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Brandon Sadler

Best museum BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

High Museum of Art

Best neighborhood for the arts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Cabbagetown

Best new arts and culture website BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

WUSSY Mag

Best new trend in the arts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Free Art

Best opening BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

MINT Gallery

Best performance venue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Fox Theatre

Best place to hear a reading BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Best place to see a movie BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Landmark's Midtown Art Cinema

Best play BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Avenue Q

Best play BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Actor's Express Theatre Company

Best pop-up art space BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

weloveatl truck

www.weloveatl.org

Best professional funnyman BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Dad's Garage Theatre

Best public art event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Flux Projects

www.fluxprojects.org

Best public art event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Forward Warrior

Best public artwork BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Atlanta Beltline Inc

www.beltline.org

Best reading series BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Best reality TV representation of ATL BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Violet Chachki

Best stage director BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Freddie Ashley

www.actors-express.com/people/freddie-ashley

Best street art BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Krog Street Tunnel

Best street photographer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Lauren Holley

www.laurenholley.com

Best theater company BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Dad's Garage Theatre

Best touring dance performance BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Alvin Ailey

www.alvinailey.org

Best touring play BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

Wicked

www.atlanta.broadway.com/shows/wicked-ss2

Best Trend BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Immersive Theater

Best TV production house playing by its own rules BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Adult Swim

Best TV series made in Atlanta BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick

The Walking Dead

www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead

Best variety show inspired by pop culture BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Scene and Song Missing

Guest Critic: Shannon Evans BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Guest Critic

The co-owner and creative director at Studio No. 7 on why she chose Atlanta three years ago

Guest Critic: Susan Booth BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Guest Critic

Silver screen South: Best fest for under-the-radar storytelling BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Out on Film

Approaching 30, Out on Film is one of the oldest and largest LGBT film festivals in the U.S. In a country where same-sex marriage has finally been legalized, the fall fest functions as an eight-day education that includes screenings, panels, workshops, and parties centered on bringing often-untold storiesmore...

Silver screen South: Best local film festival BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

Atlanta Film Festival

Silver screen South: Best local film series BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Critics Pick

WonderRoot

With all the major productions it can be easy for the spotlight to shift away from the indie filmmaker. The minds at WonderRoot, the Atlanta Film Festival, and Plaza Theatre understand that and have helped keep our local talent in the collective consciousness with WonderRoot's Generally Local, Mostlymore...