Atlanta art studios open to public: Welch School hosts MFA showcase

The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design opened its graduate studios to the public on October 23 for an event known as MFA Open Studios. The gathering transformed the Arts and Humanities Building into a space for viewing both finished artworks and pieces currently in development.

Thirty-two graduate students participated in the event. They welcomed visitors into their individual working spaces across five floors of the building. The exhibition featured work by both graduate and undergraduate students. Disciplines represented included drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, and photography.

Visitors moved from one studio to the next, speaking directly with the artists. These conversations covered the materials used, the specific processes involved, and the underlying concepts of the work. The direct access allowed attendees to engage with the creative research happening daily within the university's studios.

Student clubs contributed to the event with their own sales and activations. This provided guests with the opportunity to purchase work from emerging artists and support the student organizations active in the Welch School community. The Exlucis Photo Club operated a Polaroid photobooth that attracted high attendance.

The event offered the campus and the wider city a look at the breadth of practice within the school. The display highlighted the diversity of artistic output generated by the student body. The school stated that the showcase reflects its standing as a home for emerging talent in Atlanta.

The Welch School is part of Georgia State University. The MFA Open Studios served as a public window into the graduate programs. The event concluded with the studios closing to the general public after the scheduled visiting hours.