Sydney F. Atkinson
3636 ABERCORN WAY
KENNESAW, GA 30144
678-472-2582
E-Mail Address: sydart_99@yahoo.com
Sydney Atkinson began his formal study of art at Chamblee High School
in Chamblee, Georgia. His art teacher there introduced him to the
idea of attending Atlanta College of Art. While attending Atlanta
College of Art, Sydney explored many avenues of the arts until his
major finally rested upon sculpture. He became an assistant in the
sculpture department where he received a working scholarship. The
next year Sydney received a Ford Foundation Scholarship and was personal
assistant to James Clover, sculpture professor. During his time studying
in Atlanta he participated in many shows such as, Piedmont Park's-Art
in the Park, Group shows at the High Museum, Roswell Arts Festival,
and shows in Lagrange and at Emory University. He finished up his
studies at Atlanta College of Art by earning his Bachelor of Fine
Arts. After serving two years in the Armed Services, Sydney chose
to attend Cranbrook Academy of the Arts in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Shortly after beginning there he received a Cranbrook Welding Assistantship.
This assistantship allowed him to manage the welding studio, while
working on his own sculpture. Later he became personal assistant to
Michael Hall, the sculptor in residence. During the same year Sydney
became a gallery assistant and received the Cranbrook Academy of Art
Student Council Scholarship. Also during this time Sydney participated
in numerous shows at the school and in surrounding areas. As if this
was not enough, he also was given a mini grant from Michigan Council
of the Arts to create a sculpture for Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore. One if the first abstract sculpture placed in a National
Park in Michigan. After these two years he received a Masters of Fine
Arts from Cranbrook.
The summer after Sydney and his wife traveled to Vancouver Canada
where he taught a summer session in sculpture at Vancouver School
of Art City College. When he returned to Flint, Michigan, Sydney began
an artist in schools program sponsered by Michigan Council for the
Arts and National Endowment For the Arts. Also while living in Flint,
he served on the Grant Review Advisory Panel for MCA, taught 3-D design
at Mott Community College and adult night classes for Flint Public
Schools, participated in visiting artists programs in Cheboygan, Grand
Rapids, and St. Josephs. Sydney then moved to Hillsdale, Michigan
where he began as an artist in schools with North Adams Public Schools.
At the conclusion of the one year program as an artist in schools
Sydney and his family moved back to Flint. During his stay in Flint,
which consisted of eight years, he was a consultant for the Mott Foundation
and resumed night class teaching. This experience resulted in many
public works such as, Meadowbrook-a five year installation project,
Flint Riverfront Project, Flint City Hall, Flint Institute of Arts
Permanent Collection, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Cheboygan Library,
North Adams Elementary School, and Bishop Airport. He is also a part
of many private collections which includes Michigan State Senator
Jack Faxon, Holtzman and Silverman Construction Co., and Principia
Upper School- St. Louis, Missouri.
Since returning to Atlanta, Sydney has participated in many shows
and juried art exhibitions. Most recent examples are the Kennesaw
Fine Arts Society Juried Exhibition (2 years), North Fulton Regional
Art Exhibition ('01, '02), Quinlan Visual Arts Center Juried and Invitational
Art Exhibition, and Kennesaw State University Golden Generation Juried
Art Exhibition ('01, '02). Within these shows he received many honorable
mentions, two first place prizes and a best in show.