Encouraging Community through Artwork
[Local Non-profit’s Mission]
The end of each year signals a time for reflection. When facing difficult times, as we experienced this year, one word resonates: Community; and encouraging community is the driving force behind The Creatives Project, a local non-profit.
Meet the Passionate Founder
No stranger to Atlanta’s art scene, Neda Abghari passionately unites emerging artists and Atlanta’s diverse communities through her local non-profit The Creatives Project (TCP). A former high school art teacher, Neda was encouraged by a fellow educator and mentor to pursue her true passion, photography. Neda moved to New York City, where she developed her skills as a photographer while expanding her professional network assisting other photographers and learning everything she could. Armed with the appropriate knowledge and experience, Neda returned home to Atlanta to branch out on her own and make an impact on her local community. Here, The Atlanta Creatives Project was born, a photo documentary project that would later evolve into the TCP we know and love today.
The Creatives Project provides affordable housing and studio space to emerging artists in Atlanta in exchange for community outreach initiatives – usually geared towards youth and elders who lack creative outlets. From organizing art workshops for children to painting beautifully vivid murals for neighborhood projects, these artists showcase their commitment to community.
Before beginning their 2-year residency, artist participants are selected through a rigorous review process by a board comprised of panelists from various disciplines: from art consultants and gallerists to outreach partners and other community members.
Building a Partnership
Colorchrome has been proudly supporting Neda’s devotion to arts and encouraging community since 2009. She discovered Colorchrome and reached out to Colorchrome’s president, John Rhodes, through a cold call. Neda was in search of photographic printers to reproduce large scale photographs for an upcoming exhibition. “I immediately recognized Neda’s talent and drive and knew I wanted to help her with her project”, said John. With Colorchrome’s help, Neda was able to fill the 6,000 square foot room for her successful exhibition and a lasting partnership was born.
As she took on more creative projects to raise funding for her art programs, Neda returned to Colorchrome for high quality signage in addition to fine art printing. “People were impressed by the art and professional signage and that elevated TCP’s image, lending credibility and legitimacy to the project”, said Neda. “This level of professionalism really raised the bar for the presentation of emerging artists, art exhibitions and arts organizations across the city, which as a whole, helps to uplift the artists themselves as well as the community”. The positive attention enabled TCP to share authentic stories and focus on their mission by attracting more artists, sponsors, supporters and property patrons.
Drive Thru ATL
COVID-19 has forced us all to connect more creatively, including TCP. But how do we stay connected to the community while keeping our distance? TCP Resident Fellow, Mason Webb, introduced the idea of creating a non-virtual exhibit experience “like a carwash or a drive-thru” during a team Zoom meeting. With Neda’s production experience and the support of TCP’s generous sponsors, including Colorchrome, Drive Thru ATL made its debut in June. Attendees drove through the large parking lot outside TCP’s Alumni Studios to view exhibits of over thirty talented artists. 800+ cars (approximately 2400 people) visited in support of the artists and their craft. 100% of all sales went directly to the exhibiting artists in a time when they needed it most.
Neda’s undeniable drive to support the arts, artists, and community has led to the sustained growth of The Creatives Project. As the organization pushes forward to additional projects (such as redeveloping the former George Adair School into affordable housing for local artists – Art Force), Colorchrome will continue to support TCP’s and Neda’s mission to support emerging talents while integrating art education and enriching programs into our communities.
For more information on The Creatives Project, visit https://www.thecreativesproject.org/ or check out @creativespro and @drivethruatl on Instagram. If you’re interested in seeing more of Colorchrome’s collaborative efforts on photographic printing click here. If you have an idea that you think Colorchrome can help you bring to life, let’s start a conversation.