Mammal Gallery, Mother, and the Bakery. It’s a relatively short list of venues lost this year, but considering the limited number of small music and art spaces in Atlanta, it’s a huge chunk of flesh taken out of a live music scene still slumbering in quarantine-induced hibernation. It’s easy for anyone involved in the music industry to dwell in their depression and wonder how long it will take for bands and venues in the city to recover once this is all in the rearview. But for the folks at eyedrum, this has been an opportunity to find a new permanent home and start planning for the future.
Somehow it’s been 22 years since Eyedrum Art & Music Gallery was founded, and over the past two decades the organization has avoided many of the pitfalls common to DIY spaces. Thanks to a swath of dedicated of volunteers and mind-bending programming, eyedrum has hosted some of the best experimental acts to pass through Atlanta while remaining a base for many local ambient, noise, and other exploratory artists and songwriters.
Since June of 2018, however, eyedrum has been without a home after a fire on Broad Street SW left one man dead and forced the outsider art institution to vacate their property at 88 Forsyth Street. Their new location will be at 515 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., just a few blocks aways from MET Atlanta. The 3000 square foot space promises the same focus on film, music, and art, particularly targeting underserved communities. The new space will also feature an outdoor stage and courtyard for additional programming.
To help raise money for the relocation and expansion, eyedrum has launched a new fundraising campaign. All funds raised will help support staff and help build their curatorial budget, as well as an array of leading-edge virtual programming and membership perks. Donations can be made now via PayPal.
More Info
Web: eyedrum.org
Facebook: @Eyedrum-Art-Music-Gallery
Instagram: @eyedrum
Twitter: @eyedrum