Young creatives from Westlake High School are stepping into the professional art world through a dynamic new exhibition hosted by the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA), which is located at Pittsburgh Yards. Featuring over 100 pieces from 22 students, the showcase will mark the inaugural debut of many of the student artists, most of whom are participating in their first-ever gallery experience.
The exhibition, which opened Friday, April 11, will run through Sunday, April 13, ending at 5 p.m. offering extended time for community members, family, and friends to view the work. It is part of the Youth Artists Program, an initiative led by Westlake art department chair George Galbreath, who founded the program eight years ago to provide real-world opportunities for young artists.
“We try to give the students a real-world experience,” Galbreath explained. “From framing and labeling their pieces to talking about them with visitors and potential buyers, we want them to go through the full process of what it means to be a professional artist.”
This year’s exhibit primarily features juniors and seniors in Westlake’s AP and IB art courses, with a few outstanding sophomores included. The students gain inspiration through semester-long visits to Atlanta’s art venues—including the High Museum, Zucot Gallery, Hammond’s House, and ADAMA—where they begin sketching ideas for their final pieces.
Among the student exhibitors is Makayla Sellars, a junior, who says the program has helped her build discipline and personal expression. “There really is no limit,” she said. “We’re given keywords or themes based on our emotions or the locations we visit, and from that, we create something deeply personal.”
Showcasing a three-piece collection, Sellars emphasized her work exploring how daily stress can warp one’s perception of the world, “It’s about tunnel vision—how when stress builds up, you stop really seeing what’s around you. The piece feels smaller than it is, because that’s how it feels when you’re consumed by everything.”
Sellars admitted to feeling self-conscious seeing her work in a public setting for the first time, especially since it was originally created for an IB grade. Still, the chance to explain the meaning behind her art to strangers made the experience worthwhile. “Even if I’m not 100% happy with how it turned out technically, I love that I get to share what it means.”
The exhibition was made possible through a collaboration with Fahamu Pecou, an Atlanta-based artist and founder of ADAMA. Pecou, who has hosted the showcase for two consecutive years, emphasized the value of giving students a platform in a professional space.
“This moves being an artist from an abstract idea to a concrete experience,” Pecou said. “Now they’re not just imagining what it’s like—they’re seeing people engage with their work, ask questions, and even purchase it. That’s what being a working artist is: it’s business, it’s communication, and it’s presentation.”
Pecou also noted the emotional impact of seeing students’ families experience their work in a gallery setting—many for the first time. “It’s heartwarming,” he said. “I grew up hearing that artists don’t make money. But when parents see their child’s work in a gallery, it becomes real. It shifts perspectives.”
The show not only uplifts student voices but also begins to chip away at the “starving artist” stereotype. “This is absolutely a step in changing that narrative,” Pecou said. “Now more than ever, people are seeing successful artists who look like them, and programs like this open the door for more young people to believe it’s possible.”
Students keep 100% of profits from any artwork sold—money that often goes toward college expenses. The Youth Artists Program has now expanded beyond Westlake to include students from Langston Hughes and Tri-Cities high schools, among others.
For Galbreath, the goal is simple: give students exposure, experience, and confidence. “When they see their work on a wall—and see someone else see it too—it changes everything.”
