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The ATL Arts Collective

The ATL Arts Collective

By: Wordplay Collective
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Art in Atlanta isn’t confined to galleries or concert halls - it shows up everywhere. In murals, small stages, neighborhood studios, restaurants, and community spaces all over the city.

The ATL Arts Collective is your backstage pass to the people making Atlanta’s creative scene what it is. Hosted by Kim Drobes and powered by ArtsATL, the podcast brings together artists, journalists, musicians, actors, chefs, and cultural leaders for conversations about the work, and the city, they care about.

Each week, Kim is joined by a different voice from Atlanta media to explore the stories behind the performances, exhibitions, and ideas shaping Atlanta right now.

This is the sound of Atlanta’s arts scene.

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Art Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Joel Byars, MomoCon 2026 & Atlanta Jazz Fest | The ATL Arts Collective

    Joel Byars, MomoCon 2026 & Atlanta Jazz Fest | The ATL Arts Collective
    May 20 2026
    ✦ Joel Byars ✦ Momocon ✦ Atlanta Jazz Festival ✦ Derrick Stroup ✦ Art News ✦ Best Bets ✦ Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective: Weekly Atlanta Arts Scene Roundup Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective, powered by ArtsATL. This is your new home for stories from the local Atlanta arts and culture scene, with reporting from ArtsATL writers, conversations with local artists, and voices from across our creative community. Each week, Kim Drobes will be joined by a rotating co-host: someone you may already know, or someone you’re about to be very glad you met. And today… Joel Byars! Joel Byars (photo by Joel Byars Connext Media) ✦This Week’s Featured Guest Co-host: Comedian Joel Byars Comedian and podcaster, Joel Byars, has been voted Atlanta’s Best Clean Comedian. He’s also the host of the award-winning Hot Breath! Podcast, where he’s interviewed over 400 comedians, about their craft. Joel believes comedy is a way to bring people together, and he’s partnered with organizations like the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society to spread joy and laughter to those who need it most. (courtesy of MomoCon) ✦MomoCon 2026: Anime, Gaming, and Animation in Downtown Atlanta Momocon 2026 kicks off tomorrow, bringing together fans of anime, gaming, comics, and animation. The event turns downtown Atlanta into something almost cinematic with the unmistakable energy of people finding joy in the things they love most. Having grown steadily for over 2 decades, the convention attracted almost 60 thousand attendees last year. Arts Reporter Brittany Makins has more. Atlanta Jazz Festival (photo by Terence Rushin) ✦ 49th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta belongs to Jazz. From May 23 through May 25, Piedmont Park will be the home of the 49th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival. At the center of it all is Adriane Jefferson, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. She just celebrated her one-year anniversary in the role, and it’s clear she’s set on not just keeping the lights on, but elevating the entire house. Her first fully curated Jazz Fest lineup includes acts like the Roots and PJ Morton and aims to draw music lovers from across the region to experience the latest and greatest in jazz culture. Derrick Stroup (Photo by Todd Owyoung NBC) ✦Atlanta Comedy Spotlight: Derrick Stroup Live at Center Stage Atlanta Fresh off his debut Netflix special titled Nostalgic, comedian Derrick Stroup is quickly becoming a household name on both his own tours and touring sold-out arenas with Nate Bargatze. Born in Alabama, he has southern roots and relatable humor, making him a must-see comedian coming to Atlanta this month. Just one year ago, the comedian was performing in the side room of an Atlanta comedy club, and now he is headlining two shows at Center Stage on May 27th and 28th. The 28th is already sold out, so save your seats for the 27th on Derrick’s website before they’re gone. When I recently talked with Stroup, we began by discussing the last time we’d seen each other. CTR Culture Studios ✦Local Art News Briefs & Weekly Best Bets ArtsATL senior editor Isadora Pennington keeps her ear to the ground and each month brings us her Arts News Brief. Today, her stories include the new CTR Culture Studios and GFB3 designing the art for this year’s Atlanta Jazz Festival. ✦ ArtsATL’s executive editor Shane Harrison stops by with his picks for this week's Best Bets. This week, his mix includes the return of Hot Jambalaya, The American Astronaut for Plazadrome, and Shakespeare Out of a Hat. Special thanks to today’s sponsors: The Atlanta Opera Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University Join us on social at @artsatlanta and @atlartscollective. Let's lift the artists shaping Atlanta together. Show up, spread the word, and be part of the community. And if you’re able, consider donating to the ATL Arts Collective. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps this show going strong for years to come. Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois' Hit the Deck from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. The ATL Arts Collective is part of the Wordplay Collective podcast family. Check out our sister show, In Pieces with R Land, for conversations with artist R. Land. Thank you for listening! 00:00:00 Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective 00:01:15 Atlanta Comedian Joel Byars 00:02:10 Episode Preview: Guests & Segments 00:03:23 MomoCon 2026 Event Preview 00:07:18 Getting to Know Joel Byars 00:16:50 49th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival Lineup 00:27:30 Derrick Stroup Live at Center Stage Atlanta 00:41:18 Atlanta Arts News Brief & Weekly Best Bets 00:49:13 Closing
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    57 mins
  • Anna Jensen & Kevn Kinney Interview: Let’s Go Dancing Art Exhibition | The ATL Arts Collective

    Anna Jensen & Kevn Kinney Interview: Let’s Go Dancing Art Exhibition | The ATL Arts Collective
    May 18 2026

    *Please note the exhibition is on view through May 23, but the concert has passed*

    Drivin N Cryin Frontman Kevn Kinney & Artist Anna Jensen Uncut Interview Last week, we discussed the incredible "Let’s Go Dancing" art exhibition running at The Sun ATL gallery in Atlanta. Created by acclaimed Atlanta artist Anna Jensen, this monumental project serves as a profound visual response to the classic songs of Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee Kevn Kinney, who is also Jensen's husband. The scale of this project is unprecedented: 100 of Kinney’s songs (spanning his solo work and his legendary career with rock band Drivin N Cryin) have been reimagined by 100 different collaborating musical artists. Jensen has since painted a unique, corresponding canvas for every single track. She is releasing the massive tribute music project through her own independent label, Tasty Goody Records. We couldn't fit the full interview into our standard weekly broadcast, so we are throwing open the vault. Please enjoy this full, uncut conversation with Anna Jensen and Kevn Kinney as they break down the intersection of visual art, Southern rock history, and creative partnership.

    00:00 - Welcome & Special Bonus Episode Introduction

    05:19 - Selecting 100 Kevn Kinney Songs & Painting Every Track

    05:57 - Launching Tasty Goody Records: Distribution & Vinyl Workload

    27:08 - Supporting Music Charities & Community Impact

    28:30 - Where to Stream the Music, Buy Art & Order Merch

    30:44 - Let’s Go Dancing Art Exhibition Dates & Closing Sign-off
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    31 mins
  • Amy Sherald at High Museum, Kevn Kinney & Jessi Kirtley | The ATL Arts Collective

    Amy Sherald at High Museum, Kevn Kinney & Jessi Kirtley | The ATL Arts Collective
    May 13 2026
    ✦ Summer Evans ✦ Let’s Go Dancing ✦ Commonplaces ✦ American Sublime ✦ Jessi Kirtley ✦ Best Bets ✦ Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective, powered by ArtsATL. This is your home for stories from Atlanta’s arts scene, with reporting from ArtsATL writers, conversations with artists, and voices from across the creative community. Each week, Kim Drobes will be joined by a rotating co-host: someone you may already know, or someone you’re about to be very glad you met. And today…Summer Evans! Courtesy of Summer Evans ✦ Summer Evans is a freelance journalist and multimedia storyteller based in Atlanta. She has a background in public radio and has built her career covering the city’s arts, culture, and community stories. Currently, she works as a freelance social media content producer for Rough Draft Atlanta, creating daily newsletter recap reels to reach audiences. As a photographer, she has over 10 years of experience in visual storytelling, including weddings, couples, brands, families, and photojournalism. When not working on stories, she enjoys outdoor activities with her husband, two kids, and dogs. Kevn Kinney and Anna Jensen talk with Kim at The Sun ATL (Photo by Kim Drobes) ✦ Kevn Kinney Live at The Sun ATL: Let’s Go Dancing Art Exhibition Let’s Go Dancing, the new exhibition at The Sun ATL by Atlanta artist Anna Jensen, is a profound visual response to the songs of Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee, and Drivin N Cryin’s frontman, Kevn Kinney, who also happens to be Jensen’s husband. What began as a 60th birthday surprise video during the COVID-19 lockdown has grown into a monumental project: 100 songs reimagined by 100 artists, each with a corresponding painting for the track. Jensen produced the whole affair and started Tasty Goody Records in order to put the music out into the wild. It’s truly a love letter for the ages. To celebrate, Kevn Kinney is performing amongst Jensen’s paintings at the Sun ATL tonight, with special surprise guests, and a few tickets are still available. Kim recently visited the exhibition and spoke with Jensen and Kinney about the massive undertaking. Author and Distinguished University Professor of Georgia State, Josh Russell. (Photo by Adam Forrester) ✦Author Josh Russell’s New Essay Collection: Commonplaces What started as ten-cent photocopies in a college library has transformed into a lifetime of capturing the world’s strange and wondrous connections. Georgia State professor and author Josh Russell’s new essay collection,Commonplaces, explores the intersections of life’s challenges with everyday beauty. Literary critic Rachel Wright brings us this story. Amy Sherald Portrait (photo by Kelvin Bulluck) ✦ Amy Sherald’s "American Sublime" Exhibition at the High Museum of Art Painter Amy Sherald’s American Sublime exhibition is currently on view at the High Museum. While the world may know the artist for her iconic portrait of Michelle Obama, Atlanta knows her as one of our own. Born in Columbus and trained right here at Clark Atlanta University, Sherald’s return to the High feels like a full-circle moment, especially since this is the final stop of the exhibition’s national tour. Co-host Summer Evans recently visited the High to see the exhibition and discuss the work with the museum’s assistant curator of modern and contemporary art, Angelica Arbelaez. Kirtley (far right) and her "Operation Mincemeat" castmates (Photo by Emilio Madrid) ✦ Roswell Native Jessi Kirtley Makes Her Broadway Debut Jessi Kirtley never missed performing in a school musical from elementary to high school, and now, the Roswell native is living her dream and performing on Broadway. Theatre correspondent Sally Fuller brings us her story. Trey-Wright (photo by Keith Taylor) ✦ ArtsATL Weekly Best Bets with Shane Harrison ArtsATL’s executive editor Shane Harrison brings us his picks for this week’s Best Bets. Today, his mix includes your chance to indulge in European films, some free jazz performances, and a bunch of neighborhood festivals. Special thanks to today’s sponsors: The Atlanta Opera Join us on social at @artsatlanta and @atlartscollective. Let's lift the artists shaping Atlanta together. Show up, spread the word, and be part of the community. And if you’re able, consider donating to the ATL Arts Collective. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps this show going strong for years to come. Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois' Hit the Deck from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. The ATL Arts Collective is part of the Wordplay Collective podcast family. Check out our sister show, In Pieces with R Land, for conversations with artist R. Land. Thank you for listening! 00:00 Special Sponsor Message & Show Support 00:22 Episode Introduction & Weekly Welcome 01:43 Meet This Week's Co-Host: Journalist Summer Evans 02:12 Inside the...
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    54 mins
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