DeKalb County, GA — Various events are happening this week in and around DeKalb County, including a virtual discussion on the DeKalb SPLOST funds and projects, a question and answer session with the DeKalb County Police chief, and a webinar on keeping business opening during the pandemic hosted by the city of Clarkston. Several local government meetings are also scheduled for this week.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

Picturing the South: 25 Years

In 1996, the High Museum of Art began commissioning photographers to engage with and explore the South’s rich social and geographic landscape for its “Picturing the South” initiative. The museum has commissioned 16 artists and built a collection of more than 300 photos as part of the program. To mark the 25th anniversary, the High will create a major exhibit that brings together all the commissions. As a whole, the photos show a complex and layered archive of the region that addresses broad themes from slavery and racial justice to the social implications of the evolving landscape and the distinct and diverse character of the region’s people. The exhibit is on view through Feb. 6.

For more information, click here.

Event listing provided by a community supporter.

The Obama Portraits Tour 

The five-city tour of the Obama portraits will travel the country until May 2022. The exhibit has been traveling since June 2021 and is expected to reach millions of people. The portraits will be at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta until March 20. The exhibit will feature audiovisual elements, Portrait Gallery-led teacher workshops, curatorial presentations, and a richly illustrated book. Due to a high demand for this exhibition, an exhibition-specific ticket is required for all visitors.

For more information, click here.

Event listing provided by a community supporter.

And I Must Scream 

The Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University will present a thought-provoking exhibition on Jan. 29. “And I Must Scream” was developed by Dr. Amanda H. Hellman, the museum’s curator of African art. The show will feature photographs, paintings, sculptures, drawings and site-specific installations from 10 local, national and international contemporary artists. The work acts as a call-to-action and shows these crises to be urgent and interconnected. The accompanying programming will bring scholars and artists to teach classes, facilitate performances and create new works of art. The exhibition closes May 15.

Event listing provided by a community supporter.

Decatur State of the City and Schools Addresses

The Decatur Business Association is hosting the State of the City and Schools addresses on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held through Zoom. Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett will deliver the State of the City address, and School Board Chair Jana Johnson-Davis will give the State of the Schools address.

For more information, click here.

Virtual Community Event for DeKalb SPLOST (This event has been rescheduled for Feb. 23)

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners are hosting a virtual community event for the next DeKalb special purpose local option sales tax. The event will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Thurmond, and others, will discuss how this historical program is benefitting the county, how the funds impact the community at-large and talk about SPLOST projects planned for 2022.

For more information, click here.

DeKalb Police Department Virtual Q&A 

DeKalb Police Chief Mirtha Ramos is hosting a virtual community question and answer session on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. The event will be streamed through the department’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Ramos and division leaders will discuss the department’s achievements and areas of improvement for the new year.

For more information, click here.

Kimberly Jones Presents “How We Can Win”

Political activist and author Kimberly Jones will launch “How We Can Win.” The Georgia Center for the Book is hosting a virtual event with Jones on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. The book offers a breakdown of the economic and social injustices facing Black people and other marginalized citizens, inspired by her viral video of the same name. This virtual event is free and open to the public, but attendees must register on Eventbrite to receive the link to the Zoom webinar.

For more information, click here.

COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunity at City Schools of Decatur 

The DeKalb County Board of Health will be at City Schools of Decatur on Wednesday, Jan. 26, to provide COVID-19 vaccines at the Wilson Center, 125 Electric Ave. No appointment is necessary. The vaccine is free to everyone and the event is for those ages 12 and older. Vaccines will be available from 2:30-5:30 p.m. All three vaccination options will be available. Any child between the ages of 12-17 receiving a COVID-19 vaccine must have a parent or guardian present.

For more information, click here.

DeKalb Schools State of the District Address

DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris will give the State of the District address on the DeKalb County School District on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. The address will be streamed on DSTV and DCSD Family Engagement’s Facebook page. The address will be translated into our top five languages and can be viewed via Zoom. Watson-Harris will share her focus for the 2022-2023 school year, which is equity, excellence, and empowerment. She will also discuss her vision for success, and other priorities, such as academic and professional growth, student and staff wellness, family and community engagement, and conditions for learning.

The Reading Rebels Book Club

The DeKalb County Public Library is hosting a book club for kids ages nine to 12. The group is reading “Restart” by Gordon Korman and will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 4:30 p.m. via Google Meet. The book club is open to the first 20 participants. Each child registered will receive their own book and fun box.

For more information, click here.

Tucker Farmers Market 

The Tucker Farmers Market will be open on Thursday, Jan. 27, from curbside pickup from 4-6 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 4882 Lavista Road in Tucker. The market features over 35 vendors which include a diverse group of local farmers, bakers, growers and producers from Tucker, metro Atlanta and Georgia. The market is accepting online orders. The online store opens on Thursday afternoons and closes at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays.

For more information, click here.

Let’s Talk Business Webinar 

The city of Clarkston is hosting a webinar on Thursday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. to discuss resilience and recovery of business and offer tips on staying in business during the pandemic. Imani Beckles, business retention and expansion manager at Decide DeKalb Authority, will be the featured speaker during the event. The webinar will be livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page.

For more information, click here.

Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin Presented by Little Shop of Stories

Little Shop of Stories and the Georgia Center for the Book are celebrating the release of Jason Reynold’s newest book, “Ain’t Burned All the Bright,” a collaboration with the incredibly talented artist, Jason Griffin. The authors will join Cicely Lewis, Georgia media specialist and READ WOKE advocate, for a conversation on Friday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

For more information, click here.

Run With the Dogs Races

The Decatur Bulldog Booster Club is hosting the 18th annual Run with the Dog race on Saturday, Jan. 29. The pup trot, a one-mile race, begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K race starts at 9 a.m. This year’s event will feature a new start location at Renfroe Middle School and a new course through the MAK and Oakhurst neighborhoods. Run with the Dogs benefits the Decatur Bulldog Booster, which provides support for the athletic programs at Renfroe Middle School and Decatur High School. The Boosters raise funds annually to support 1,000 student athletes on 45 sports teams across 14 sports.

For more information, click here.

Oakhurst Farmers Market 

The Oakhurst Farmers Market will be open on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sceptre Brewing Arts, 630 East Lake Drive in Decatur. Find all of your freshest produce, meat, delicious baked treats, and more among the weekly vendors. Additional offerings include live music and chef demonstrations featuring seasonal recipes.

For more information, click here.

Celebrating the “Curious Cardinal” 

Fernbank Museum will screen the “Curious Cardinal” on Saturday, Jan. 29, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The “Curious Cardinal” follows a cardinal hatchling as he meets his forest friends throughout the year. The animated short is jointly presented by Fernbank Museum, the Alliance Theatre and the PNC Grow Up Great Program. Select screenings of the short film include a story time with an Alliance Theatre teaching artist.

For more information, click here.

Event listing provided by a community supporter.

City Schools of Decatur Lunar New Year Celebration 

The City Schools of Decatur lower elementary parent teacher association is hosting a lunar new year celebration on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m. at Legacy Park, 500 S. Columbia Drive in Decatur. Festivities will include food and craft booths, a lion dancy by the Chien Hong School of Kong Fu.

For more information, click here.

Avondale Estates Farmers Market