Beyond the Booth: My Experience at The Other Art Fair Atlanta
I've been reflecting on my experience at The Other Art Fair Atlanta, and finding the right words to describe it has been harder than I expected. From October 1–4, I had the opportunity to exhibit alongside an incredible group of artists, sharing a collection that was deeply personal to me. I walked into that space carrying months of work, a whirlwind of emotions, and honestly, no idea how people would receive what I had created. What I walked away with was so much more than I could have imagined.
The Other Art Fair Atlanta: More Than an Exhibition
This exhibition was different from anything I'd done before. My latest collection, The Weight of Feeling, was created during one of the most emotionally challenging periods of my life. While caring for my mother, I found myself turning to art to process feelings I couldn't always put into words. Grief, exhaustion, love, frustration, and hope all found their way into the work. I wasn't necessarily trying to create something beautiful. I was trying to create something honest.
My mom had always been one of my biggest supporters, and I had hoped she would be there to experience this exhibition with me. Although she passed away shortly before the fair, so much of her love and influence was present in the artwork I shared. In many ways, bringing this collection to Atlanta felt like carrying a part of her with me.
The Beauty of Human Connection
One of the most memorable parts of the fair wasn't simply displaying my artwork. It was watching people connect with it. Throughout those four days, strangers stopped to look, ask questions, share stories, and sometimes just stand quietly in front of a piece. Some conversations were lighthearted, while others were deeply emotional. There were moments when someone would tell me what they saw in a drawing, and I'd realize that an experience I thought was uniquely mine was something another person understood just as deeply.
As an artist, you spend so much time working alone, wondering whether the emotions and ideas you're putting into a piece will translate to someone else. Seeing those connections happen in person reminded me why I love exhibiting. Art has this beautiful ability to bring people together who might otherwise never cross paths.
A Special Thank You
To my new collectors, thank you for choosing to bring my artwork into your homes and lives. Every original piece carries a story, and knowing those stories will continue in new spaces means more to me than I can express. To everyone who visited my booth, followed my work, shared a conversation, brought a friend, or simply stopped to offer encouragement, thank you. Your support made this experience incredibly special.
I also want to extend a special thank-you to Jewel Wicker and Nancy Tao for their time, kindness, and support in helping share my story. Having my work and the inspiration behind The Weight of Feeling featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ahead of the fair was an incredibly meaningful moment in my journey. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share not only my artwork, but also a little of the person and experiences behind it.
What Comes Next
As I settle back into my little home studio and reflect on everything this experience has given me, I'm excited about the possibilities ahead. Exhibiting has become an important part of my journey as a contemporary artist, and experiences like this continue to shape how I approach my work and the people I hope to reach through it.
To everyone who discovered Angela Lanell Art during the fair, welcome. Whether you've collected a piece, followed along online, or are just beginning to explore my work, I'm happy you're here. There are more stories to tell, more artwork to create, and hopefully many more opportunities
for us to connect.
Thank you, Atlanta, for making this chapter one I'll never forget.
With love and gratitude,
Angela Lanell
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