The High Museum of Art in downtown Atlanta has been covering the wide-world of art since 1926. The new building built in 1983 as the collection expanded is stunning. A special exhibit building connects with a sky bridge to the main museum.

In front of the building is a statue by Rodin (The Shade) presented to the museum by the French government as a gift in memory of the Orly victims. Today the sculpture stands as a memorial outside the High’s Stent Family Wing. (Note: The Women’s Committee of the Atlanta Art Association organized a tour of European art capitals in 1962. On the return flight from Orly Field in Paris, the plane crashed at takeoff and one hundred and twenty-two people perished of whom one hundred and six were Atlantans; only two flight attendants survived. At that time, it was history’s worst single-plane disaster.)

With limited time, it made sense to start with the special exhibit which is entitled “American Sublime.” The incredible art of Amy Shepard is a must.

Amy’s technique is to take a photograph of a model and then create an art piece by painting over the photo. The art is black people in everyday life dress/poses. A few pieces of her artwork are whimsical and some are making a statement. The show piece is of Michelle Obama. Truly incredible brightly color, contrasting eye-candy with a story behind each one. If you ever get the chance to see Amy Shepard’s art, do it!

Take the sky bridge into the main museum and you’ll be dropped onto the modern art floor. Lots of art on display in large rooms and always fun to see what creativity artists have chosen to communicate with their art.

Then brass art, folk art, and religious art generating wonderment.

After over an hour and half, everyone is hungry. Time to walk down the winding ramp of the museum (Guggenheim feeling anyone?) to exit.

A short Uber ride to Ponce City Market, a shopping and restaurant destination in mid-town Atlanta. We branch out and explore to find our favorite food. A little shopping and back to the house for some chill time.

A special dinner invitation to a friend’s home was the icing on the day. We were part of a Shabbat ceremony, served delicious food, drink, and spent the dinner enjoying interesting conversations. What a wonderful day in Atlanta!