A fire at South River Art Studios in Atlanta on November 12 destroyed or damaged over 50 works in "En Masse," a group exhibition of 21 regional printmakers that had opened just 11 days earlier in the Gogo Gallery. Curator Chloe Alexander and artists Maurice Evans, Grace Kisa, and Jamaal Barber describe the loss of unique, irreplaceable prints due to soot, smoke, and water damage, with many pieces on paper rendered unsalvageable despite appearing intact.
The fire's toll extends beyond the immediate loss of artwork, highlighting the economic vulnerability of independent printmakers. Artists invested significant costs in materials, framing, and installation, and the destruction of works creates a cascade effect on future exhibitions and income. The event underscores the growing but often overlooked printmaking community in Atlanta and the fragility of regional art scenes when studio spaces and exhibitions are lost to disaster.