We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shawn Vinson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn, thanks for joining us today. undefined

I recently launched The Sun ATL, a groundbreaking art, business and cultural hub in Atlanta’s MLK Historic District. Located in a 9,200-square-foot building on Edgewood Avenue – just steps from the original Ebenezer Baptist Church – this venture is a significant departure from the traditional gallery model I’ve worked with for three decades.

The innovative aspect lies in our hybrid business framework. The Sun ATL combines three distinct elements: a fine art gallery, a museum-quality exhibition space, and a versatile venue for meetings, events and content creation. We showcase works by notable Black artists alongside international talent, maintaining a particular focus on art and documentary photography that celebrates the rich history of Atlanta and the South.

Beyond exhibitions, we’ve transformed the LEED Platinum-certified space to offer rentals of a private conference room, a photo/video studio, and a spacious venue equipped with IT infrastructure. This multi-use approach allows us to participate in the area’s renaissance while creating a sustainable business model that goes beyond art sales.

Our location is particularly significant, situated in what I consider to be the heart of Atlanta. We’re part of a vibrant community working to revitalize an area that experienced decades of neglect after Interstate 75’s construction disrupted thriving Black communities in the 1950s. Our mission is to honor this history while fostering a new chapter of cultural and economic growth. We’re collaborating with neighboring galleries and art spaces to build the Edgewood Art District, a mile east of downtown and Peachtree Street.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My journey into the art world began with darkroom photography and printmaking classes in high school. Though I initially wanted to be a professional photographer, a serendipitous connection at my karate school led to my first job as an art handler. This evolved into a sales role that brought me to Atlanta in 1993, where I produced a successful pop-up exhibition during the 1996 Olympics.

In 1998, I opened Vinson Gallery in Decatur, establishing a reputation for contemporary paintings, prints, and works on paper by local and international artists. A pivotal moment came when I represented – and later married – a talented painter from England, Ruth Franklin, whose connections helped expand our reach to include notable British artists. After a decade with Vinson Gallery, I worked as an independent dealer before launching Different Trains Gallery in 2017, which continues to operate by appointment and for special exhibitions.

With 35 years in the industry, I provide comprehensive art services including installation, consulting, and procurement for private collectors, corporate clients, and healthcare facilities. I’ve carved out a unique niche in providing cleared art for Georgia’s film and television industry. What sets me apart is my ability to assist clients with art acquisition challenges, from finding the perfect piece for a specific space to navigating film production artwork needs. Career highlights include placing Ruth Franklin’s works in Universal Studios Florida’s executive offices and collaborating with country music legend Naomi Judd.

I’m most proud of the long-term relationships I’ve built with my artists and clients. Being both a collector and creative myself gives me great empathy. Fostering meaningful connections between artists and collectors who truly appreciate their work is how I define success.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Winston Churchill said, “if you’re going through hell, keep going” – which has been particularly useful advice throughout my life. My career started as a road warrior art rep in the pre-digital era, driving a van packed with artwork through six southeastern states from my home base in Florida. I’d find the cheapest motels with free local phone calls, pull out the yellow pages, and cold-call local galleries and designers to build my client base. Those six-week road trips taught me the meaning of resilience!

I then decided to take a leap of faith and move to Atlanta in 1993, a city I loved at first sight. In 1998, I opened my first gallery on Decatur Square and, ten years later, just as things were humming along, the 2008 financial crisis hit us hard. Despite our decade of tenancy and contribution to the Square’s culture, our corporate landlords were unmoved by requests for rent relief. We faced Chapter 7 bankruptcy but somehow managed to stay in the art business, thanks in large part to the age-old art of bartering and the kindness and generosity of family and patrons.

Fast forward to 2020. We had just opened The WADDI, a gallery and event venue, right as the pandemic lockdowns began. Once again, we adapted and survived through online sales, licensing, and the incredible support of our community. Now, I’m embarking on my most ambitious project yet – The Sun ATL. I’ve been telling friends that this will either be my magnum opus or my last hurrah. Thankfully, the response so far has given me confidence that it will be the former.

Chumbawamba!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Resilience. LOL.

But equally important is my unwavering commitment to showcasing artists I truly believe in. I’ve always focused on building relationships – not just transactions – with both artists and collectors.

I’m also a big fan of the Golden Rule.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vinsonart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinsonart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VINSONart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinsonart/

Image Credits

Shawn Vinson/VINSONart