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
"Earth and Ether" featuring Shanon Schneider and Laura Davis Shainker
July 31 - September 6, 2026
About the Artists
The Watson Gallery showcases the work of talented local artists. Learn more about each of them below.
SHANON SCHNEIDER
Shanon Schneider is a contemporary mixed-media artist based in Atlanta. Her abstract and figurative works explore the dynamic interplay of color, texture, composition, and mark-making, embracing the spontaneity and discovery that emerge through the creative process. A longtime member of Atlanta's art community, Schneider has been a resident artist at the Urban Art Collective since 2019 and joined Spruill Studios in 2026. She previously owned and operated Synergy Fine Art Gallery in historic Roswell and The Loft Gallery in Marietta fostering a collaborative space for local artists for over a decade. Her work is represented by galleries and interior design boutiques throughout the Southeast and is held in private collections across the country.
LAURA DAVIS SHAINKER
An Atlanta native, Laura Davis Shainker’s contemporary landscapes explore the abstract nature of the patterns and shapes of open spaces. Working from photographs, field notes, and memory, she strives to create a sense of balance and serenity through a simplified composition and harmonious palette. Her collection also includes thoughtfully simplified still lifes, reflecting the same quiet appreciation for form, light, and the beauty of everyday objects. Laura’s studio is located at the Urban Art Collective in Chamblee, where she continues to develop her distinctive body of work. She is represented by galleries across the Southeast, and her paintings can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the region.
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 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.