12 Atlanta arts events to look forward to this week

From visual arts to music to theater, the Atlanta metro area has an active arts scene offering something for nearly everyone. This upcoming week, film festivals take center stage with the Out on Film LGBTQ+ film festival; SCAD AnimationFest, which also includes television and social media animation; and the Atlanta Women’s Film Festival.

The following 12 events will help you explore Atlanta’s arts and culture in the upcoming week.

“Inside Out/Outside In”

A physically divided room in this Goat Farm exhibition features works by Rial Rye in the “Distressed” portion as he utilizes found objects, tools and toys that have been weathered, fragmented and distressed. The “Exalted” side, by Jeffrey Wilcox Paclipan,features works that are pristine, vibrant and elevated.

Continuing through Saturday, Oct. 10. Goat Farm, 1200 Foster St. NW, Atlanta. thegoatfarm.info.

SCAD AnimationFest

Hear industry guests, view films and TV shows from top networks and standout SCAD student animators, learn new applications and techniques in entertainment and more at this three-day festival.

Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 23-25. Individual event prices vary, screening pass $35, festival pass $100. SCADshow Theater, 1470 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. 800-869-7223, scad.edu.

The LGBTQ+ film festival Out on Film, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 4, features special events and films including “La Bola Negra,” pictured. (Photo courtesy of Out on Film)

Out on Film

This 11-day LGBTQ+ film festival features special events as well as the ensemble films “Before I Do” and “La Bola Negra” and work by Alan Cumming, Frances Fisher, Russell Tovey, Rachel Dratch and more.

Thursday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 4. Packages $60 and up. Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta. 678-944-8158, festival.outonfilm.org.

“Material Poesy”

Artists Johanna Flores, Ato Ribeiro and Ivy Wu use different materials and techniques to express poetic concepts in this Spruill Galley exhibition.

Thursday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Oct. 29 with opening reception 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. Spruill Center for the Arts gallery, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 770-394-3447, spruillarts.org.

“The Pillowman”

This funny, disturbing play by Martin McDonagh is set in a totalitarian state where a writer of dark fairy tales is brought in for questioning after a series of child murders, and the line between fact and fiction begins to blur.

Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 4. $25. Out of the Box Theatre, 585 Cobb Parkway S, Suite G-1, Marietta. 678-653-4605, outofboxtheatre.com.

“Martin Puryear: Nexus”

The High Museum of Art is the exclusive Southeast venue for the most comprehensive presentation of sculptor Martin Puryear’s career in more than 20 years. The exhibition includes more than 70 works, including rarely shown drawings and prints, and presents a fresh perspective on his influential art.

Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Jan. 17, 2027. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4400, high.org.

“It’s Howdy Doody Time”

The Center for Puppetry Arts unveils artifacts from the iconic “Howdy Doody” TV show that will become a part of its Global Collection. As a lifelong friend of Buffalo Bob Smith and a steward of the show’s legacy, Burt Dubrow will bring artifacts and share memories.

7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. $30 (includes museum admission). Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th Street, Atlanta. 404-873-3391, puppet.org.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will host a screening of the film "La La Land" on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27 as the orchestra and and ASO's jazz band perform the soundtrack along with the movie. (Photo courtesy of Hurwitz concerts)

“La La Land” in Concert with the ASO

View “La La Land,” the Academy Award-winning film starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its jazz band perform the soundtrack along with the movie. Limited tickets (resale tickets) available.

7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4800, aso.org.

“Legendary Georgia Musicians” in watercolor

Watercolor artist Jackie Dorsey’s exhibition highlights Georgia musicians, calling attention to the extraordinary music coming out of the state.

Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, exhibition continuing through Sunday, Dec. 13. Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, 30 Atlanta St. SE, Marietta. 770-528-1444, mariettacobbartmuseum.org.

Atlanta Women’s Film Festival

This festival showcases female filmmakers, writers, producers, actors and female-led stories with curated film screenings with filmmaker Q&As, table reads from a screenplay competition and more.

9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. $12 table reads, $20 awards ceremony, $15 per block of films, $45 all-day pass. 7 Stages Theatre, 1105 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-523-7647, cinemalife.ticketspice.com.

“C. S. Lewis on Stage: Further Up and Further In”

Award-winning actor Max McLean uses C.S. Lewis’ own words in this multimedia theatrical experience that takes you into the heart and mind of the author.