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ABOUT THE GALA
Flowers & Seeds is ADAMA's Fundraising Gala.
The gala celebrates an under-recognized established visual artist and plants a seed for an emerging visual artist, both based in Georgia, by presenting The Nellie Mae Rowe Award, generously made possible by The Judith Alexander Foundation.
The February 21, 2025 gala will be an immersive multi-sensory event showcasing art by the award recipients, an awards presentation with live entertainment, and dinner. The money raised will serve as seed money for ADAMA’s forthcoming capital campaign and building fund.
Flowers x Seeds 2024
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
This Gala will bring together some of Atlanta’s most talented artists and creatives to honor our Flower and Seed! Don't miss out on your chance to be part of something truly extraordinary!
Become a Sponsor
Interested in sponsoring the gala?
Check out our sponsorship deck to learn how you can partner with ADAMA for the 2nd Annual FLOWERS x SEEDS Gala. Join us in celebrating visionary artists, amplifying African diasporic stories, and supporting a transformative cultural movement. Your sponsorship helps us continue our mission while positioning your brand as a champion for art, culture, and community.
OUR 2025 FLOWER
OUR 2025 FLOWER
FLOWER HONOREE
Curtis Patterson
Over the last four and a half decades, Atlanta, Georgia based artist, Curtis Patterson, has been developing and producing thought-provoking art on a variety of scales. Concurrent with much of his early career in art fabrication, he was, also, a professor of sculpture and design at The Atlanta College of Art (now SCAD) for thirty years.
Many of Patterson’s captivating works have been exhibited at sites both nationally and internationally, which include shows in the United States, France, Nigeria, Sweden and Italy. His intrigue with the manipulation of three-dimensional space and objects is clearly evident in his sculptures, which by virtue of their distinctive design, stimulate investigation and promote curiosity.
Hands on by nature, Patterson enjoys producing a range of mid to large scale ‘invitational sculptures’ for public and private venues that encourage viewer participation. He aims to deliver works that respond to and resonate with their surrounding environment. He enjoys his audiences being able to physically access and experience his pieces and frequently embeds subtle surprises within his work as a reward for those who are motivated to engage, explore and discover.
OUR 2025 SEED
OUR 2025 SEED
SEED HONOREE
Hasani Sahlehe
As a native from the Virgin Islands, Sahlehe is proud to create work that contemporary but reflects back to the African diaspora. His body of work offers a diverse array of abstract paintings and are beautifully characterized by vibrant color fields and intricate patterns, creating a unique visual language that is both emotive and thought-provoking.
Sahlehe’s artistry is deeply rooted in exploring and expressing complex emotions and narratives through colors and forms. Each piece one is a testament to his skill in using abstract forms to convey powerful messages and evoke strong emotional responses.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Judith Alexander Foundation has generously provided a grant for the presentation of The Nellie Mae Rowe Award to be awarded to our committee-selected Seed honoree.
The Judith Alexander Foundation (JAF) honors the multifaceted legacy of the late art patron, Judith Alexander, by supporting Georgia visual artists and by preserving and expanding recognition of the extraordinary existence and artistry of Nellie Mae Rowe.
Meet Our Selection Committee