Poets, Artists & Madmen

When thinking of an advocate, Liliana Bakhtiari embodies the definition. The Muslim daughter of Iranian immigrants, she has dedicated her life to helping those in Atlanta, and in other countries, looking for a better life. She’s raised money for Cambodian refugees and has traveled the world to gather stories from survivors of genocide and sex trafficking. Once she returned to ATL, she resumed working with refugees, as well as becoming active in homeless outreach, local arts advocacy, and women’s health programs. In August she purchased a school bus to assist in community based projects and for living and working on the go. She’s also taking it a step further running for District 5 of Atlanta City Council.

Photo courtesy of Michael Schwarz

The exhibition offers a vision of Africa in the twenty-first century as a place of unbounded optimism, rapid growth, and massive cultural transformation and presents the continent as a hub of experimentation that generates innovative design approaches and solutions with worldwide relevance...

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This year, the Masquerade and Underground Atlanta hosted the inaugural Dames and Dregs Beer festival - a celebration of great beer and the often-overlooked contributions of local women who brew it. Events like these bring awareness to the inequality within our society, but also to the supportive communities within it. Cheers to a successful first year and many more to follow.

Photo Courtesy of Sam Holt

The South Asian concept coffee shop offers a chance to play with foster kitties by the hour and adopt them through the Humane Society of Cobb County. Sipping on good coffee while earning feline affection and helping save cats - what’s not to love? The cozy coffee shop has expanded to a second location in Marietta, where they also plan to serve beer and wine.

Photo courtesy of Alex Patton

Sanithna Phansavanh came to Atlanta via Kansas City, MO, where he and his family lived through a refugee program after his mother escaped Laos. He’s created murals all over Atlanta incorporating ideas of growth, women as strong members of society, and perception. This year alone he completed three murals, all full of energy, bringing the streets of Atlanta to life with every brush stroke. Keep doing your thing, Sanithna. We?re thankful for your passion and talent.

Photo courtesy of Sanithna Phansavanh

Before heading out West this year in the name of love, Adron left behind a treat for ATL - her latest record, Water Music. Perhaps because we’re struggling to define what is “real” in this time of social media and political discourse, there’s a great need for an artist like Adron, whose record grounds its listeners in reality while giving them the impetus to take on the world. Her shows are an intimate experience, as she explains in brutal honesty the meanings behind her songs. Water Music will continue her legacy of authenticity regardless of where she is. Thank you, Adron, for keepin’ it real.

Photo Courtesy of Charles Mitchell