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8 DECEMBER 2025 ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS BUCKHEAD For more Buckhead headlines, subscribe to our daily newsletter at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/newsletters. Artists raise money after fire destroys South River Art Studios Artists like welder Ryan Durrett were left with destroyed tools, work, and studios after a fire broke out at South River Arts Studio on Nov. 12. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Durrett) The Fountain of YOU. By Katie Burkholder South Atlanta artists are raising money after a fire destroyed the main building at South River Art Studios on Nov. 12. DeKalb County firefighters arrived at South River Art Studios — four acres of unused land and warehouses turned into 45 artist studios, gallery, and event spaces in South Atlanta — shortly after 4 a.m. to find the main warehouse engulfed in flames. Owner and sculptor Phil Proctor told ArtsATL that there was smoke and water damage to 100 percent of the building, and he doesn’t yet know if the building is salvageable. “Even the parts that didn’t burn are not habitable at the moment,” he said. Proctor estimated that around 25 to 30 studios were completely destroyed, including welder Ryan Durrett’s, who is fundraising to cover the decade of work. “I lost at least $50,000 worth of tools, equipment, and materials,” Durrett said. “In addition to tools, I lost years’ worth of work. From sculptures, to wooden boxes, to my office that I recently built for my girlfriend to work alongside me. These are all sentimental things that cannot be replaced.” Durrett says his insurance will not cover the losses, so he launched a GoFundMe, which has raised nearly $66,000 at press time. Various fundraisers by other affected artists had raised a collective $151,000 at press time. Visit southriverartstudios.com to donate to all the individual artist fundraisers. Mayor Andre Dickens’ office shared a letter on Nov. 17 with Rough Draft standing in “full support” of the artists affected by the fire. “This loss is significant,” Dickens wrote. “We know that many Atlantans lost studios, art, and livelihoods in this tragic event... To the artists at South River Art Studios: we stand with you, and our city’s cultural identity is stronger because of your work.” No one was inside the building when the fire started, and no injuries were reported. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. Atlanta City Council, Board of Education runoff results This is more than a place to live. It’s a place to come alive. Discover senior living that creates a space for you. senior living, redefined. Please call to schedule a tour or visit our events page for upcoming events. THE PIEDMONT AT BUCKHEAD 650 Phipps Boulevard NE • Atlanta thepiedmontSENIORLIVING.COM I 470.868.4578 By Collin Kelley Five undetermined races for the Atlanta City Council and the Atlanta Board of Education were decided during the Dec. 2 runoff election. The positions include two Atlanta City Council races and three Atlanta Board of Education seats that weren’t decided on Nov. 4. “There was light turnout for in-person voting on Dec. 2 after a week of early voting. AN SRC SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY 12 * carf). & Eg Wayne Martin (top) and Thomas Worthy Atlanta City Council Dist. 7 Percentage Votes Thad Flowers 41.68% 1,076 Thomas Worthy* 59.32% 1,569 Atlanta City Council Dist. 11 Percentage Votes Nate Jester 42.06% 1,588 Wayne Martin* 57.94% 2,188 Atlanta BOE Dist. 2 Percentage Votes Marlissa Crawford 26.41% 394 Tony Mitchell* 73.59% 1,098 Atlanta BOE Dist. 6 Percentage Votes Patreece Hutcherson* 54.14% 2,476 Tolton Pace (I) 45.86% 2.097 Atlanta BOE Dist. 8 At-Large Percentage Votes Kaycee Brock* 55.44% 9,081 Royce Mann 44.56% 7,298
