Announcing the Representation of Alumna Jessica Blinkhorn at Atlanta Art Fair

The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design is proud to announce participation in the inaugural Atlanta Art Fair. The school will have a footprint in both the cultural partner and exhibitor sectors. Alumna and recent Guggenheim Fellow Jessica Blinkhorn (M.F.A. 2010) will represent our school among other galleries with an installation of her project, SPANKBOX.ATL, and two live performances.

The inaugural edition of Atlanta Art Fair, a celebration of the dynamic arts community of Atlanta and the greater American South, will take place at Pullman Yards from October 3 – 6, 2024 with a VIP opening reception October 3. Featuring local galleries, artists, and curators alongside a roster of leading regional and national programs and a dynamic series of public projects and events, Atlanta Art Fair aims to amplify local voices and act as a platform for the incredible creativity and connectivity inherent to its city. The Atlanta art Fair team has recognized our institution as a key player in the Atlanta Art scene through the cultural partner invitation. The school's participation in the exhibitor sector follows a long history of art fair involvement, predominantly in Miami, at satellite shows around Art Basel.

Jessica Elaine Blinkhorn is an interdisciplinary artist, social rights activist, and educator from Atlanta GA. Her work advocates for the disabled, aging, and LGBTQ+ communities promoting equality, equity, and inclusion by way of installation and performance with a focus on personal autonomy and shifting of social narratives. Originally from Marietta, GA, Blinkhorn moved into the City of Atlanta to pursue her graduate degree with a focus on drawing and painting. Her attention quickly shifted from traditional media to the exploration of performance art with an emphasis on creating and constructing a social narrative to promote change, equity, and inclusion. Performance, installation, and curation gave Blinkhorn a language that allowed her to create as her body deteriorated due to her physical disability

Jessica is a disabled artist who uses a wheelchair as her freedom device. Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy-Type 2 at the age of 19 months, she was given a life expectancy of 3 years. Now, at 43, she has been featured on ABC World News(2010), was the subject of the award-winning documentary short "Grounded by Reality"(2010), was named a finalist for the Forward Arts Emerging Artist Award, GA(2011), and have received grants from Change, Inc., FL(2012), Artist Fellowship Grant, NY(2013, 2014, 2015, 2021), Foundation for the Contemporary Arts, NY(2018, 2020, 2021), C4 Atlanta, GA(2020), and, most recently, was named a Franklin Furnace Awardee, NY(2019-20), Artist in Residence at the Momentary, AR(2020), Artist in Residence for the Paseo Project, NM(2021), BeltLine Artist, GA(2021-22), ELEVATE Artist, GA(2021), the Nexus Fund(2022), and Idea Capital’s Margaret Kargbo Artist as Activist Grant(2022). my work has been seen in Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Taos, NM; Birmingham, AL; Bryn Mar, PA; Spartansburg, SC: Fayetteville, AR; Portland, ORE; London, UK; and most recently Miami, FL at Miami Basel.

For more information about Jessica Blinkhorn’s practice, visit jeblinkhorn.wixsite.com/mysite

Atlanta Art Fair Hours:

Blinkhorn's performances will Thursday, October 3, and Saturday, October 5, from 5:30 -8:30pm

For more information about Atlanta Art Fair and to purchase tickets, please visit https://theatlantaartfair.com/