SCAD ATLANTA PRESENTS PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION ON PEACHTREE STREET

LED Screens Showcasing SCAD Alumni and Faculty Work To Debut September 1

ATLANTA — AUGUST 31, 2021 — Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is proud to debut the newest curation of alumni and faculty art to be showcased on state-of-the art-LED screens on the façade of the university’s flagship campus on Peachtree Street, to be revealed September 1. The dynamic presentation of public art presented by SCAD celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of SCAD’s talented network of visionaries aimed to surprise and inspire the community in the heart of Midtown, the city's premiere arts and entertainment district. 

For over fifteen years, SCAD has been a visionary leader and integral part of the Atlanta arts community. SCAD’s Peachtree Street art showcase began in 2011 with the installation of lightboxes which has featured standout commissioned works of over 40 alumni artists from SCAD’s top-ranked degree programs including fine arts, photography, printmaking, animation, illustration, among others. In 2020, SCAD Atlanta further elevated the front of the edifice to include bright, vivid, energy-efficient LED screens to make for a 24-hour digital rotating exhibition. 

To debut on September 1, the prominently displayed SCAD Atlanta LED screens will feature works by a supremely talented roster of SCAD alumni and faculty artists including: Charles Clary (M.F.A., painting 2009); Honor Bowman (Chair, SCAD Fine Arts and M.F.A, painting, 2014); Michael James O’Brien (Chair, SCAD Photography); Peng Zhou (M.F.A., photography); and Todd McCutheon (M.F.A., painting, 2001).  

“For me, still life - nature morte - has always been as much about absence as about presence,” said Michael James O’Brien, Chair of SCAD’s Photography Department and featured artist in SCAD’s LED showcase. “This series was inspired by the great Northern European Vanitas paintings from the 1600's, and the essence of carpe diem, of time passing. It is an honor for my work to be presented in this special installation, and a testament to SCAD's legacy of bringing public art to the community.”

SCAD’s Peachtree Street public art installation further exemplifies SCAD’s position as a leader and champion of the city’s vibrant arts scene, including initiatives and exhibitions at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion and Film; signature events and festivals such as SCAD TV fest, SCAD AnimationFest, SCADstyle, SCAD Open Studio; plus the services of the university’s art advisory and curatorial platform, SCAD Art Sales.

SCAD’s LED art installation will be on view starting September 1 at 1600 Peachtree Street NW with plans to shift on a monthly cadence to spotlight a rotating curation of five artists per month, showcasing the creative genius of over 60 artists year-round. SCAD is honored to present this free and accessible exhibition for all in Atlanta to enjoy.