For the 19th year, Illumine, an illuminated immersive art event, will take place at Atlanta’s historic Oakland Cemetery.
The installation kicked off Thursday and will run through Sunday and then again April 23-26. For the second year, the cemetery partnered with local gallery Cat Eye Creative to curate with new artists and a new path through the cemetery.
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Three new artistic partners have also joined for this year’s Illumine: The High Museum of Art, The Neon Company, and Atlanta Downtown.
In partnership with the High, works from late photographer Ralph Eugene Meatyard will be displayed, making him the first Illumine artist with work featured posthumously. In addition, digital artist Daniel Phelps will create a piece with his Atlanta Downtown MAP Rover, a public art projection program on wheels; and lighting from the Neon Company.
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Other featured artists include artist Vanna Black; muralists Fabian Williams and Christina Kwan; light artist Eddie Farr; artist and designer Jordan Graves; artist & SCAD professor emeritus Marcia R Cohen; and graffiti artist VAYNE.
This year’s theme, “Foundations,” invites Illumine artists “to consider foundations of their own — their own roots and how they’ll make their mark among Oakland’s headstones,” according to a press release.
As an homage to the beginnings of the cemetery, this year’s event route will include the Original Six Acres, as well as many of the Jewish sections and fan-favorite and recent burial, Kenny Rogers.
In addition to the art pieces, the event will feature live entertainment, bars, an Oakland pop-up shop and art-centered workshops.
IF YOU GO
7:30-11 p.m. Friday, April 17-Sunday, April 19 and Thursday, April 23-Sunday, April 26. $15-$25. Oakland Cemetery, 374 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE, Atlanta. 404-549-8932, oaklandcemetery.com/illumine-2026.
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