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Bar Rentals & Bartender Staffing inAtlanta, GA

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RTB Atlanta - A Decade of Exceptional Bar Rental Services

If you're looking to make an impression at your next celebration or event, few services take your gathering to the next level like Raising the Bar. At RTB, we mix superior service and delicious spirits with the finest bar rentals in Atlanta, GA. We pride ourselves on creating unique, delectable drinks backed by impeccable service to keep your event stress-free and streamlined, so you can focus on your role at the party while attendees have the time of their lives. our guests will not only be impressed by our high-quality craft cocktails - they'll be blown away by the entire process, from setting up to break down. Unlike some bar rental companies in Atlanta, we prioritize professionalism, attention to detail, and customer service.

Having served such brands as Ferrari and Delta, we know what it takes to turn a mediocre event into something special. Our team of bartenders have the experience to keep your guests happy and the flair to give them a memorable time, no matter what kind of function you're organizing. From summertime shindigs in the sun to corporate team building events, we've seen and done it all, and we're here to serve you as well.

Mobile Bars Atlanta, GA

Here's a quick snapshot of what we can do for you:

Full-Service Packages

Full-Service Packages

we'll arrive early, set everything up, run your bar service, keep your guests entertained, and clean up after ourselves when we're done. We'll focus on your mobile bar service while your guests admire how awesome your event turned out.

Brand Activations

Brand Activations

Launch your product with branded bar setups or support your event with customizable drinks, satellite bars, and giveaways. We don't just handle the drinks; we keep the party flowing.

Corporate Events

Corporate Events

From exciting team-building exercises to formal affairs, we have worked on hundreds of corporate events in Atlanta. Regardless of the size of your corporate event, our team will handle all the details, from customized bars with company logos to a custom menu of craft cocktails.

Weddings

Weddings

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. As such, your reception is one of the biggest parties you'll ever thlmb-row. It needs to be perfect, and it needs to be fun. We've got you covered on both fronts and then some. Contact our office today to learn more about how we keep your guest's glasses full and your bar rental beautiful.

Mobile Bar Rentals

Mobile Bar Rentals

If you're looking for the highest quality mobile bar rentals in Atlanta, look no further than RTB. We've built our business around bar rentals and have everything from sleek, modern bar tops to rustic-chic beer taps. Our team is here to offer guidance as you choose your bar rental. Once you do, we'll handle every detail - from set up and break down to staffing and drink service.

Bartenders

Bartenders

Already have your bar setup planned but still need bartender staffing in Atlanta, GA? Our bartenders are experts in their trade and will undoubtedly raise the bar when it comes to your upcoming event.

Why Choose Raising the Bar?

RTB was built on hard work and kindness. With more than a decade of experience in the private event business, we have worked with some of the biggest brands in the United States. We pride ourselves on excellence in every service we offer, from bar rental setup for weddings to large brand reveals and everything in between. RTB isn't just here to mix and serve drinks at your next party - we're here to offer guidance, advice, and expertise every step of the way. From suggestions on how much alcohol to have stocked at your party to trusted vendor referrals for your corporate event, we're here to help.

At the end of the day, our goal is to ensure that our clients get the hard work and attention they deserve. When you choose Raising the Bar, know that we will do everything in our power to make you, your guests, and your event feel extra special. We are dedicated to giving every one of our clients a white glove experience, whether your purchase a full-service package or need an experienced bartender.

Service Areas

Bar Rentals in Atlanta, GA

The idea of thlmb-rowing a big party or get-together for your friends or co-workers is an exciting prospect. When it comes down to the logistics of your bar service, however, planning can become a nightmare. Thankfully, there's an easier, more efficient way to arrange for a stunning bar setup - bar rentals from Raising the Bar. When you hire RTB, you can rest easy knowing we have all the details covered.

We are proud to offer the most streamlined bar rental services in Atlanta. Our doesn't just arrive at your location and start slinging drinks.

Setting up your bar rental is important, of course, but we also handle all the requirements your bar may need:

  • Set Up Bar Rental
  • Handle Purchase Orders
  • Arrange for Alcohol Delivery
  • Ensure Bar is Stocked
  • Maintain Excellent Quality Control
  • Provide Fully Trained, Fun Bartenders
  • Provide Cash Control and Inventory Management
  • Custom Cocktail Creation
  • Provide a Fun, Memorable Bar Rental Experience
  • Collect Glassware After Event Ends
  • Break Down Bar and Clean Up After Event Ends
 Bartenders For Parties Atlanta, GA

Of course, what kind of mobile bar service would we be if we didn't provide the most innovative, tasty beverages for partygoers to enjoy? RTB stands tall above all other portable bar rentals in Georgia with custom-made cocktails to fit any themed event and even customized menus for your guests. Example events that are perfect for RTB bar rentals include sales meetings, real estate open houses, holiday staff parties, software release parties, team building mixology meetings, birthday parties, barbecues, and more.

At RTB, we earned our stripes by showing off what we can do in front of thousands of people. With our extensive experience, innovative cocktails, and top-notch bartenders, you can't go wrong with Raising the Bar.

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Benefits of Bar Rentals in Atlanta

We get feedback from our amazing clients every day, telling us how we helped make their event bigger and better than they thought possible. We're in the business of making your party or gathering unforgettable, but we also provide convenience and peace of mind for busy people planning events.

Here are just a few more reasons why our customers love our bar rentals in Atlanta:

Custom Bar Rentals for Unique Events

Custom Bar Rentals for Unique Events

Our mobile bars can be personalized to match nearly any theme and any type of event. Need to have your company's logo on display? We can make that happen. Have a fun custom cocktail idea for your wedding day? Give us a shout - we'd love to hear what you're thinking. Unlike some of our competition, we encourage our customers to get creative with us. There are many options to make your bar rental stand out, from LED lighting coupled with a sleek, modern bar to luxurious displays with custom cocktail menus.

Less Stress

Less Stress

Planning a party can be a blast, that's for sure. But trying to handle event setup and logistics? Not so much. Setting up tables, chairs, and other items is time-consuming and frustrating. RTB eliminates this stress by arriving at your event location with everything ready to go - from your mobile bar setup to drink service and more. You've got more important things to worry about than whether the lemons are fully stocked at the bar. Let us take care of the "nitty-gritty" while you focus on enjoying your event.

Save Money

Save Money

Because RTB supplies you with everything you need for your bar rental service, most customers end up saving money in the long run when they work with us. Common costs that we can help alleviate for you include purchasing barstools, glasses, garnishes, mixers, sodas, and more. Additionally, our team sets everything up, breaks everything down, and cleans up after the party. This service also saves our customers money, who would otherwise need to make arrangements for storage as well as a clean-up crew at the end of the night.

Bartender Staffing in Atlanta, GA

At Raising the Bar, we understand how important it is to have a qualified, trustworthy team of bartenders at your event. From drink service to limiting alcohol consumption, you need to be able to rely on your bartender from the moment your event starts until it ends. We are proud to have skilled, fully insured bartenders who are ready and waiting to make an impression at your next big event. Unlike dull, run-of-the-mill bartenders, our team won't suck the life out of your party - we'll keep your guests entertained and their glasses full so that the good times keep rolling.

 Bar Rentals & Bartender Staffing Atlanta, GA

Curious what kind of events our bartenders can help cover?

Here are just a few of our specialties:
 Portable Bar Rental Atlanta, GA
Bartenders for Weddings in Atlanta

We will work with you to supply a professional bartender at your wedding, so you can say "I Do" without worrying about your drink service.

 Bar Rentals Atlanta, GA
Bartenders for Corporate Functions in Atlanta

RTB can provide bartenders for your upcoming company dinner, award ceremony, team building exercise, and more. Our bartenders will be dressed for the occasion and will provide service that is tailored to your occasion.

 Rent A Bartender Atlanta, GA
Bartenders for Social Gatherings in Atlanta

Our enthusiastic, high-energy bartenders make a great addition to any party or social gathering, big or small.

 Mobile Bar Service Atlanta, GA
Bartenders for Private Events in Atlanta

Thlmb-rowing a private birthday bash? Perhaps you're thinking about a small celebration for your anniversary. Whatever the occasion, RTB will supply a hardworking, professional bartender for your private event.

Depending on the type of event you have in mind, our bartenders are also trained for more "out of the box" events as part of our signature service packages. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Mixology Classes
  • Mixology Demonstrations
  • Beer and Wine Sommelier
  • Bourbon Master
  • Craft Cocktails
  • Build Your Own Mule Bar
 Bar Service Atlanta, GA

Concessions Services in Atlanta, GA

In addition to bar rentals in Atlanta, GA, Raising the Bar also offers a suite of concessions services for events in Georgia. RTB concessions were born out of the desire to provide a next-generation beverage experience. This service is tailored to brand sponsors who wish to provide consumers with an elevated cocktail experience in a large setting. Special events and festivals in Georgia are only glmb-rowing in popularity. Today, consumers attending these events expect a wider variety of drink choices. They crave a personalized experience, and Raising the Bar is the perfect partner to choose when executing such an event

For brand sponsors, having a partner that provides a memorable consumer experience is crucial for maximizing ROI. Our ability to work with all trade partners (venue owners, brand owners, and distributors) makes their sponsorship money work harder. With more than a decade of experience, a highly trained staff of bartenders, and customizable bar services, we stand tall as Atlanta's most trusted boutique concessions provider. Having worked with many large-scale festivals, sporting events, and corporate events, we are confident that our beverage program gives consumers an unrivaled experience. Equally important, we give brand sponsors a key source of income.

 Bartenders For Events Atlanta, GA

We're Ready to Serve Up a Great Time

Ready to learn more about how Raising the Bar can transform your boring party into a fun, exciting party?

Our team of experts is ready to help you get started. Contact our office in Atlanta today at 404-826-5945. Before you know it, you'll be sipping a craft cocktail next to a branded bar rental while your guests rave about your amazing event.

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Latest News in Atlanta, GA

Cresswind Georgia Hosts Beatles Tribute Band Liverpool Legends

This post is sponsored and contributed by Kolter Homes, a Patch Brand Partner.Community CornerSignature concert series celebrated 60th anniversary of the Beatles invading AmericaKolter Homes, Brand PartnerThis is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own,...

This post is sponsored and contributed by Kolter Homes, a Patch Brand Partner.

Community Corner

Signature concert series celebrated 60th anniversary of the Beatles invading America

Kolter Homes, Brand Partner

This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.

Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes, a Kolter Homes active adult community located in Hoschton, Georgia, recently hosted Liverpool Legends, a Beatles tribute band. This year is the perfect year to celebrate the Beatles as it’s the 60th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival in the United States. As a part of the Kolter Homes signature concert series, residents gathered in the community’s outdoor amphitheater space and bandshell for an evening exploring the vast Beatles catalog that comprised the 1964 British Invasion.

"At Cresswind communities, social activities are truly the heart of our vibrant lifestyle,” said Jennifer Landers, community director at Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. “We believe they bring residents together for shared experiences that create lasting bonds and make our neighborhoods feel like home.”

Many of Cresswind Georgia’s residents may recall when the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, drawing a record-breaking 73 million viewers. While the crowd at Cresswind Georgia wasn’t that large, the Beatlemania was just as obvious, with the crowd singing along to every tune.

Endorsed and handpicked by Louise Harrison, the older sister of late Beatles member George Harrison, Liverpool Legends is an internationally acclaimed group known for world-famous performances. They have headlined the Rose Bowl multiple times, performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and recorded a Grammy-nominated Beatles cover album titled Fab Fan Memories.

"Our signature concert series embodies the Cresswind 'Set Yourself FREE' pillars of Fitness, Relationships, Education and Entertainment," said Kolter Director of Lifestyle Mark LaClaire. "These events not only provide fantastic entertainment but also foster connections among residents, encourage an active lifestyle, and promote a sense of community that enhances the overall living experience at Cresswind."

In addition to the signature concert series, Cresswind Georgia offers various resident-led clubs, including the Friends of Monarch Club, Veterans Club, Cooking Club, Just Craftin’ Around Club, Dance Club, Pickleball Club and Trail Blazer’s Hiking Club, to name a few.

Cresswind, Georgia, is aptly named for the two lakes on the property, offering residents extensive waterside and outdoor amenities. Residents can fish, kayak or canoe on either of the two lakes and explore on foot via the network of community walking paths.

Additional outdoor recreation options at Cresswind Georgia include a resort-style pool, event lawn, community garden and, most impressively, 21 planned pickleball courts and a covered “Eagle’s Nest” spectators pavilion, with plans to expand to over 40 total pickleball courts to become the largest private pickleball complex in Georgia. The Club at Cresswind also offers a variety of indoor amenities, including a lounge with soothing lakeside views, an indoor pool with lap lanes, a cutting-edge SmartFIT Training Center powered by EGYM, an arts and crafts room and multiple event spaces.

Homes at Cresswind Georgia are priced from the high $300,000s to over $1 million and offer home designs with personalization options to accommodate various needs and preferences. These include golf cart garages, finished or unfinished upper-level bonus rooms, daylight basements, flexible room configurations and enclosed patios, as well as hundreds of finish selections at the community’s on-site Design Studio.

To learn more about Cresswind Georgia, visit www.CresswindGeorgia.com. For complete details regarding the latest Cresswind communities throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, visit www.Cresswind.com.

For more information regarding Liverpool Legends and upcoming performance dates, visit www.LiverpoolLegends.com.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.

GA Restaurants To Take Center Stage At GRACE Awards

The Restauranteur of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Hospitality Hero of the Year and other award winners will soon be honored in Atlanta.Patch StaffATLANTA, GA — Georgia's best of the best in the culinary industry will soon take center stage at the 2024 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence Awards.The GRA recently announced finalists for its annual awards, which will occur at 7:15 p.m., Dec. 9, at the Georgia Aquarium. The black-tie optional dinner will include a cocktail hour at 6 p.m.&ldquo...

The Restauranteur of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Hospitality Hero of the Year and other award winners will soon be honored in Atlanta.

Patch Staff

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia's best of the best in the culinary industry will soon take center stage at the 2024 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence Awards.

The GRA recently announced finalists for its annual awards, which will occur at 7:15 p.m., Dec. 9, at the Georgia Aquarium. The black-tie optional dinner will include a cocktail hour at 6 p.m.

“In an industry that has faced significant challenges—particularly in recent years—the GRACE Awards serves as a testament to the perseverance and creativity of Georgia’s hospitality professionals,” GRA President and CEO Stephanie Fischer said in a news release.

“I’m so proud of this year’s nominees: their heart shines through as they represent diverse spaces of community and connection. This is an evening of celebration and reflection, as the awards recognize both success and the hard work and dedication required to thrive in this dynamic field.”

According to the GRA, finalists were nominated by their peers in the categories of Restauranteur of the Year, Restauranteur Rookie of the Year, Industry of the Year, Hospitality Hero of the Year, Restaurant Manager of the Year and Restaurant Employee of the Year.

Find out what's happening in Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Selectees were also made for the GRA Hall of Fame and the Georgia on My Mind People's Choice Award. The GRACE Academy will choose the winners.

The top honor will go to the GRACE Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Alan and Cindy LeBlanc, founders of Brewed to Serve Restaurant Group in Atlanta, according to the release.

The LeBlancs own Max Lager’s Woodfired Grill and Brewery, Bold Monk Brewing Co. and White Oak Kitchen and Cocktails.

“I cannot think of two more deserving individuals than Alan and Cindy LeBlanc,” Fischer said in the release. “Most people don’t realize the role that they have played in collaborating with state and local leaders to advocate for Georgia’s restaurants. They also played a part in revitalizing downtown Atlanta as a dining destination. The Georgia Restaurant Association would not be where it is today without their unwavering support and dedication to hospitality.”

The GRA advocates for statewide restaurants on the culinary scene, and the yearly awards honor the excellence of those in the industry, according to the release.

Here are the 2024 GRACE Award finalists:

Restauranteur of the Year:

- Goldbergs Fine Foods, Braves All Star Grill, Goldbergs Commissary, Goldbergs Concessions Corp., Mainline Aviation Flight Services, Mainline Foods and Goldway Construction

- Alta Toro, 5Church Buckhead, Virtue Rooftop Lounge, 5Church Midtown

Restauranteur Rookie of the Year:

Industry of the Year:

- Bar{n} booze {n} bites, Morty's Meat and Supply, The Village, Message in a Bottle and Yoffi

Hospitality Hero of the Year:

Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall, Muchacho, Ranger Station and Electric Events

Restaurant Manager of the Year:

Restaurant Employee of the Year:

Grocery Giant Kroger Must Pay $55M+ To GA For Role In Opioid Crisis

The settlement resolves allegations that Kroger helped fuel a public health disaster.Patch StaffGEORGIA — The supermarket giant Kroger, which owns Ralphs and other prominent grocery chains, has agreed to pay Georgia more than $55 million, stemming from the company's alleged role in the opioid crisis.The high-dollar amount is part of a $1.37 billion settlement agreement reached in September 2023 and finalized Monday with Ohio-based Kroger following a complaint initiated by dozens of states, including Georgia. The ...

The settlement resolves allegations that Kroger helped fuel a public health disaster.

Patch Staff

GEORGIA — The supermarket giant Kroger, which owns Ralphs and other prominent grocery chains, has agreed to pay Georgia more than $55 million, stemming from the company's alleged role in the opioid crisis.

The high-dollar amount is part of a $1.37 billion settlement agreement reached in September 2023 and finalized Monday with Ohio-based Kroger following a complaint initiated by dozens of states, including Georgia. The settlement resolves allegations that Kroger failed to appropriately oversee the dispensing of opioids at its pharmacies and, therefore, helped fuel a public health disaster.

According to the finalized settlement agreement, several Native American tribes, 34 states and thousands of local governments are entitled to payment.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's office told Patch the state and participating local governments will be allocated funding from the settlement over time.

Kroger operates 165 grocery stores across 76 cities in Georgia.

Find out what's happening in Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In an emailed statement to Patch, a Kroger spokesperson said, "We are pleased that Kroger’s previously announced multistate settlement received enough state and subdivision participation to become effective and binding. The finalization of this settlement, originally reached in September 2023, will deliver over $1.2 billion in support of opioid abatement efforts nationwide while resolving nearly all the outstanding opioid-related claims against the company.

"Kroger will continue to combat opioid abuse, and it remains focused on providing fresh and affordable groceries to communities across the country."

The Kroger settlement is one of many high-profile multi-state agreements announced over the last several years involving opioids and prescription drug manufacturers, wholesalers, consultants and pharmacies.

Walgreens, CVS Health and Walmart reached similar settlements in 2022 totaling about $13 billion. In July, Rite Aid Corporation agreed to settle a similar multi-million-dollar case brought forward by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Bonta said California is expected to receive up to $4.2 billion under various opioid settlements, with the bulk going to local governments. Bonta has issued guidance to jurisdictions with suggestions on the permissible use of opioid settlement funds.

The guidance "is aimed at helping local governments maximize impact, save lives, and strengthen public health infrastructures to tackle the opioid and fentanyl crisis," according to Bonta's office.

In addition to payments, Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and many others.

In the 1990s, intensified marketing of newly reformulated prescription opioid medications, like OxyContin, along with influential pain advocacy campaigning that encouraged greater pain management, led to a "precipitous rise in opioid use in the United States," according to congressional analysis.

Georgia voters approve three statewide ballot measures

Georgia Amendment 1 – PASSEDGeorgia voters approved this measure with over 60% of the vote as of 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. The Associated Press called it earlier in the evening.This homestead tax exemption will freeze the values of all homesteads in Georgia for the purposes of property taxes, capping property tax increases statewide.Property value determines the amount of taxes that homeowners pay. With the passage of the measure, property values will now be based on a yearly assessment of the c...

Georgia Amendment 1 – PASSED

Georgia voters approved this measure with over 60% of the vote as of 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. The Associated Press called it earlier in the evening.

This homestead tax exemption will freeze the values of all homesteads in Georgia for the purposes of property taxes, capping property tax increases statewide.

Property value determines the amount of taxes that homeowners pay. With the passage of the measure, property values will now be based on a yearly assessment of the consumer price index, meaning that property tax increases won’t outpace inflation.

The exemption will last as long as the homeowner owns the home.

2024 Georgia Elections

It’s a critical election year, and Georgia is at the center of it. Stay in the know with WABE’s 2024 Georgia Elections page, where you can find WABE’s latest election news and podcast episodes, important dates, voting locations, candidate info, results and more.

When a new homeowner buys the home, the property’s value resets to the actual value, and the new homeowner may pay significantly higher taxes than the previous homeowner.

WABE housing reporter Stephannie Stokes reports that property taxes fund a significant portion of local governments and school districts. The state law for the measure allows governments to add a sales tax to make up for lost revenue.

Local governments can opt out of the exemption, but the process requires a series of public meetings and the adoption of a resolution before March 2025.

Georgia Amendment 2 – PASSED

Georgia voters approved this measure as of 8:15 a.m. Wednesday.

This measure will create a new statewide tax court in the judicial system. Currently, tax cases are heard by a tribunal in Georgia’s executive branch.

A statewide tax court would run concurrent with the Georgia Superior Court, meaning both courts have jurisdiction over such cases.

The new measure would also move tax case appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals rather than being heard in Fulton County Superior Court.

Georgia State Rep. Chuck Martin told WABE that this would “unburden” the Superior Court and put appeals in the correct venue.

Georgia Referendum A – PASSED

Georgia voters approved this measure with over 60% of the vote as of 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.

With the passage of this measure, Georgia will raise the maximum threshold for property tax exemptions on tangible personal property owned by businesses.

The previous threshold for tax exemptions was on property worth $7,500 or less. The new threshold is on property worth $20,000 or less.

The last time the maximum threshold was raised was in 2002, when voters approved a measure to raise it from $500 to $7,500.

Republican State Rep. Mike Cheokas, a co-sponsor of H.B. 808, which put the measure in front of voters, said it’s meant to relieve the burden of inflation on small businesses.

However, opponents of the measure point out that the decrease in tax revenue could negatively impact public services that are funded by taxes.

This is a developing story.

John Rhoden Sculpture Garden now open at Hammonds House Museum!

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Arts & EntertainmentThe John Rhoden Sculpture Garden is the first of its kind dedicated solely to Rhoden's works and is a permanent attraction. Come see it! Community ContributorThe John Rhoden Sculpture Garden is the first of its kind dedicated solely to Rhoden’s works and provides a captivating outdoor setting...

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

The John Rhoden Sculpture Garden is the first of its kind dedicated solely to Rhoden's works and is a permanent attraction. Come see it!

Community Contributor

The John Rhoden Sculpture Garden is the first of its kind dedicated solely to Rhoden’s works and provides a captivating outdoor setting for visitors to engage with his stunning bronze and mixed media creations. The opening of the garden compliments a current exhibition from the Hammonds House Museum Collection which explores the interconnectedness of African, African American, and Caribbean artistic expressions through the historical and cultural tapestry of the Black Atlantic and includes a thought-provoking selection of paintings and mixed media artwork. The John Rhoden Sculpture Garden features ten of the artist’s beautiful sculptures and is a permanent attraction at the museum.

"We are pleased and honored to be able to gift these sculptures to Hammonds House Museum. John Rhoden's career was shaped by his connections to educators and exhibition opportunities in Atlanta during his lifetime, and this makes it especially appropriate that his artistic brilliance will be on view for Atlanta audiences now and into the future.” Brittany Webb, Evelyn and Will Kaplan Curator of Twentieth Century Art and the John Rhoden Collection, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Webb, along with Halima Taha, Artistic Chair of Hammonds House Museum, are dedicated to ensuring that intellectually and culturally diverse audiences have an opportunity to learn about and to engage with John Rhoden’s work. Their shared commitment to preserving Rhoden’s legacy led to the creation of the John Rhoden Sculpture Garden at Hammonds House Museum.

"Brittany Webb's scholarship on John Rhoden profoundly inspired my efforts to create the museum's first permanent installation, the John Rhoden Sculpture Garden. This project is a testament to our commitment to making art accessible and engaging for everyone, from our immediate community to national and global audiences. By developing our museum campus as a destination where art is for all who seek to learn about themselves through the lens of talented artists, we aim to foster a spirit of curiosity, discovery, and personal growth. The John Rhoden Sculpture Garden will serve as a dynamic, welcoming space that celebrates this remarkable artist's legacy and inspires visitors to connect with the transformative power of art.” Halima Taha.

"The BAIA Foundation supports the vision for Hammonds House Museum’s new John Rhoden Sculpture Garden because connecting art, nature, and culture is what the BAIA and Garden Art for the Soul is all about.” Najee Dorsey, Black Art in America.

Find out what's happening in Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, John Rhoden (1916-2001) showed sculpting prowess early in his youth. As a student at Talladega College (1934-36), he met artist Hale Woodruff who advised him to visit New York City. Following Woodruff’s advice, Roden went to New York and met major figures who were crucial to his artistic development including Alain Locke, writer, philosopher, educator and the acknowledged “dean” of the Harlem Renaissance; Augusta Savage, sculptor and founder of Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts; and nationally acclaimed artist Jacob Lawence.

Rhoden served in the military in World War II (1943-46). After the war he attended Columbia University and it was there he met and fell in love with painter and fellow art student Richanda Phillips.

In 1951 Rhoden received a Fulbright fellowship and was accepted to the American Academy in Rome. From 1952 to 1954, he had access to a studio with thirty-foot ceilings, allowing him to work in large-scale bronze sculptures. In 1953 he won the Rome Prize, and in 1954, John Rhoden and Richanda Philips married in the Eternal City.

In 1955 Rhoden was sponsored by the US Department of State to go on an international tour, visiting Ireland, Norway, Italy, Germany, Egypt, Kenya, Rhodesia, Uganda, Zanzibar, India, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. And In 1958 and 1959, he received a grant from the State Department to tour the Soviet Union, Poland, and Yugoslavia.

Also, in 1959 Rhoden received a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to study ancient and modern sculpture in Indonesia. From 1960 t o1962, the Rhodens lived in Bali and Java, where Rhoden collaborated with professors and students at the Institute Teknologi Bandung (ITB).

Although geography and travel were crucial to his work, Rhoden considered himself a New Yorker. He and Richanda settled in Brooklyn Heights in the mid-60’s where they worked out of their home studio. Both taught for several decades in the New York City Department of Education. During this time Rhoden received major commissions from the Harlem Metropolitan Hospitals in New York. His work was also exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, African American Museum in Philadelphia, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and others.

The Rhodens lived in Brooklyn Heights until John passed away in 2001. In 2017 the Rhoden estate entrusted the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) to give John Rhoden his long overdue recognition with his first career retrospective from October 5, 2023-April 7, 2024. PAFA also assumed responsibility for preserving Rhoden’s legacy and the collection of more than 300 pieces of his works.

Hammonds House Museum is a 501(c)3 arts organization whose mission is to celebrate and share the cultural diversity and important legacy of artists of African descent. The former residence of the late Dr. Otis Thrash Hammonds, a prominent Atlanta physician and passionate arts patron, the museum is in a beautiful Victorian home at 503 Peeples Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. Hammonds House Museum’s 2024 exhibitions are supported by a series of workshops, public programs and civic engagement activities which serve as companions to the works and opportunities for the community to have a deeper experience with the art. For information about upcoming events, to join the mailing list, become a member, or plan your visit, go to the website: hammondshouse.org.

Hammonds House Museum is generously supported by Fulton County Board of Commissioners through the Fulton County Department of Arts and Culture, City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, National Performance Network, The Estate of Dr. Doris Derby, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, as well as donors and members.

MEDIA Contact: Karen Hatchett at Hatchett PR, karen@hatchettpr.com

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