ArtFarm



Atlanta's ArtFarm was one of the many fun, underground venues that has been plowed over in the recent years to make way for the city's rapid growth of condos and loft spaces. The city has been getting an extreme makeover and the colorful spaces that make it unique are becoming, basically, endangered species.

ArtFarm was located near Cabbagetown, an intimate little town which, to this day, welcomes art and individualism with open arms. The Farm was in an incredibly old building but I have heard that owner, Dennis Coburn had a passion for destructivism. I remember that the place was a really fun place to hang out at parties. They would have a girl running around in front spinning flaming hulahoops around her neck and arms. Inside, the beer was cheap and we got to draw on the walls with permanent markers hanging from strings, there was always a band playing on one side and art being shown in a hallway on the other. However, just when you started to get the hang of things - bam a new room pops up thats covered in pornography and takes you by surprise again. Man that was a fun place, the gallery Eyedrum reminds me of it a lot. (Which by the way is next on the developers demolition list.)

However, not everyone thought so...this is an example of one of many opinions I have found about the venue...

"it was by far the worst place I have ever been too. It was dirty, not accomadated at all for the event, and almost everyone working there was clueless and rude. I don't even think they knew there was a film festival going on. All the screenings were an hour behind the starting time, and they refuded to give refunds to those who needed to go home. People do work in Georgia. I would never recommend this place to anyone for anything. It was just a dirty old loading dock inthe middle of cudzoo. "

Well, you can please everyone...Most people I talked to said they really enjoyed the place. There was always something really exciting going on.Plus, It was not only a venue spot or a gallery, it was also a residence space for some very colorful characters like Atlanta's late artist Pananrama Ray.

Here are two articles from creative loafing about the Struggle and the Fall of Atlanta's ArtFarm.

We'll miss you.