Welcome to the Watson Gallery, an elegant, art-infused venue within Distillery of Modern Art.
This thoughtfully curated 800+ square foot private event rental room, named after founder Seth Watson, is incredibly versatile. In fact, the Watson Gallery is ideal for private board meetings, microweddings, pop-up showcases, intimate birthday parties, and more. You can access the bar conveniently in the next room over. Alternatively, you may choose to provide your own refreshments.
The Watson Gallery features a dedicated entry and rotating installations by local artists. Therefore, every visit feels dynamic and new. And as a result, the Watson Gallery at Distillery of Modern Art blends creativity and professionalism in the heart of Chamblee.
Current Installation
"Distilled Impressions - A Visual Pour" featuring Diana Toma and the Inspired Dozen
Sept 18 - Nov 2, 2025
Diana Toma and the Inspired Dozen will celebrate their exhibit with an opening weekend Gallery Showcase on Saturday September 20 (7:00-9:30 PM).
About the Artists
The Watson Gallery showcases the work of talented local and international artists. Learn more about each of them below.
Diana Toma
Evoke Wonder & Curiosity
Diana Toma is an award-winning professional artist known for her expressive watercolor, acrylic, and mural paintings that blend traditional techniques with a contemporary approach. With a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, she has been actively exhibiting her work since 1996, participating in over 100 international group exhibitions and 12 solo shows. Her artwork has been featured in prestigious publications, including Artist’s Magazine, American Artist, The Art of Watercolor, and, most notably, the cover of The Best of Acrylic in September 2024.
The “Inspired Dozen” are Mary Jac Beavers, Chris Coleman, Titu R. Doctor, Latricia Golden, Sarah Parillo Heidlberg, Archana Kumar, Brett Lane, Harriette Perlstein, Deborah Herr Richter, Alexandra Vasquez Sarrine, Pam Sharpe, and Mary Wivell.
Murals around the Distillery
Lela Brunet
Bold Figures & Dynamic Patterns
Lela Brunet is an Atlanta-based visual artist celebrated for her bold depictions of the female form. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a BA in Art Education (2014). Since then, Lela has created work where the grace of the human figure collides with energetic patterns and vibrant color. Her art transforms this dynamic tension into a striking “visual battlefield” of pattern, color, and form. She works across murals, paintings, drawings, and design. Moreover, her art has been exhibited widely throughout the United States and internationally. Lela’s clients include global brands such as Adidas, Microsoft, MailChimp, Facebook, Starbucks, Pepsi, and NCR Corporation.
Lela's Mural
Armando Chacon
Heritage & Transformation
Armando Chacon is a Guatemalan-born, Atlanta-based visual artist whose work reflects both cultural heritage and personal resilience. At age twelve, he won his country’s national art contest, competing against more than 40,000 students. As a result, he earned the grand prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to Spain. This recognition revealed his lifelong passion for art. From that moment, it set him on a creative journey shaped by migration and transformation. Today, Chacón works across painting and mixed media, weaving vibrant color and symbolism into pieces that honor memory, identity, and lived experience. His exhibitions have appeared in both the United States and Guatemala, bringing his perspective to audiences in multiple cultural contexts.
Armando's Mural
Chris Alvarez & Courtney Hicks
Playful Energy Meets Technical Precision
Chris Alvarez & Courtney Hicks are an Atlanta-based artistic duo blending backgrounds in animation, illustration, and fine arts. Chris, originally from Spain, studied animation, while Courtney, from Philadelphia, pursued illustration and fine arts. The pair, known on the street as Foxy Swine, have collaborated for more than a decade. During this time, they have produced creative content for leading names in the entertainment industry. Their personal work expands beyond commercial projects. For instance, they create murals, illustrations, and public art throughout Georgia and across the Southeast. Their art merges playful energy with technical precision, reflecting a shared passion for storytelling, design, and community-centered creativity.
Courtney Hicks & Chris Alvarez's Mural
Art of Cocktails
Jen Boaz
Color, Texture & Emotion
Jen Boaz is an Atlanta-based visual artist recognized for her bold use of color, layered textures, and dynamic compositions. Specifically, her work explores the interplay between vibrancy and emotion. In particular, Jen captures fleeting sensations of daily life in both large-scale paintings and intimate mixed media pieces. She also collaborates with Distillery of Modern Art to merge visual art with mixology. In this partnership, seasonal collections are paired with cocktails to create immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Her pieces appear in exhibitions, private collections, and creative partnerships. As a result, Jen’s distinctive style invites viewers to savor beauty, movement, and presence.
ART SUBMISSIONS TO GALLERY
If you are interested in exhibiting in the Watson Gallery, please reach out to russell (at) distilleryofmodernart (dot) com. Please include links to your website and IG as well as any other information you may find helpful.