Studio Artists
The Hyatt Cottage in Legacy Park houses seven private work studios and one multi-room studio best for an artist collective. The Decatur Arts Alliance manages this exciting arts space with the intention of fostering a collaborative and constructive community gathering place. The Hyatt Cottage also hosts exhibitions, art events, and intergenerational art classes throughout the year.
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Learn more about the artists who currently lease the studio spaces below.Â
Find more information about the Hyatt Cottage studios here.
Artist Profiles
Laura Bell is an Atlanta artist working in mixed media. Her works reference the natural world and the astonishing, often unsettling beauty found in natural phenomena.
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She was born and raised in Seattle, WA, received a BA degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA and an MFA from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, PA.Â
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She is represented by Whitespace Gallery in Atlanta.Â
In addition to working as an artist, Laura Bell is a professor of Fine Art at Georgia State University, Perimeter College.
Tell Beall is a multidisciplinary artist from rural Harlem, Georgia, working in film photography, painting, and mixed media. Guided by a background in Film & Media from Georgia State University, he sees his practice as a form of documentary—observing the world with honesty, care, and imagination. His work moves between the divine and the everyday, exploring femininity, community, and the quiet power of recognition. Now based in Atlanta, Tell shares his vision through exhibitions and art festivals, creating images and moments that feel both timeless and deeply human.
Currently, I am concentrating on acrylic painting and developing a vocabulary of expressive colors, textures and marks. My earlier work is classically inspired and realistic. I am currently a member of the Atlanta Artist Center and have participated in their shows. As my work develops, I hope to also use my background in other disciplines such as printmaking and sculpture.
I am an interdisciplinary artist based in Atlanta, originally from New Jersey. After graduating from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a BA in Visual Art and an Art Education degree, I later received my MFA in Sculpture from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Currently, I am a professor of Art in Foundations at Kennesaw State University.
My works consist of materials ranging from metals to textiles, often incorporating sewing and weaving techniques. I draw inspiration from forms found in nature, with many of my pieces mimicking chrysalis or nest formations, as well as the feminine qualities found in tree structures. My subject matter addresses feminism, societal pressures, and the human experience. The new work I am creating focuses on root formations, exploring the connections between natural forms and the fibers that link humanity.
Matthew is a born and raised Decaturite working primarily in oil painting and woodblock printing, having received a BFA in Printmaking and Books Art from the University of Georgia in 2019. His work is an exploration of harmony and infinity as emergent properties from chaotic and closed systems, respectively. Both the human soul and the universe express — or are even defined by — those two pairs of opposing but interdependent forces.
Shoe laces, mud, roof lines, flower stems, windows, grass, an old wooden fence, rust, and rocks are all objects that we take for granted. As an artist I am endlessly curious about all of these and much more. By looking slowly, closely, and carefully, I find endless excitement and wonder in my environment, which compels me to paint it and share it in hopes that someone else may see something they’ve never noticed before in a world that is often overlooked.
‘Catlanta’ aka Rory Hawkins, is an Atlanta based artist primarily known for his colorful and fun paintings of cats. Rory attended Georgia State University as a Berner Scholarship recipient where he received a B.A. in Studio Art in 2010 primarily focusing on printmaking during his studies.Â
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Rory transitioned from painting cats on walls to creating small hand painted wooden cutouts of his iconic three-legged cat (called kittens) which he hides around town for anyone to find. Since he began hiding art pieces in 2011, Rory has shared over 1,000 pieces of art via photo scavenger hunt.
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Rory is also an accomplished muralist with large outdoor works in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Costa Rica. He has worked with several local and national brands on a variety of projects from label designs to chalkboard art and has volunteered with organizations like One Love Generation and Paint Love to lead art workshops for Atlanta area students.
Shondra Leigh is a multidisciplinary artist, mother, and elementary art teacher. Her current work reflects her apprehension about the futures of upcoming generations who will inherit a multitude of interrelated global crises. This body of work draws on the grand tradition of painted portraiture to empower her students and amplify their voices, emphasizing their intuitive concerns and potential for positive change. The practice is collaborative, rooted in dialogue and shared authorship.
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Shondra holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Georgia. She is originally from New Mexico and is currently based in Atlanta.
Studio Artist Events
Friday, November 14, 2025 • 6:30-9pm
Friday, January 33, 2026 • 6:30-9pmÂ
Friday, April 17, 2026 • 6:30-9pmÂ
Saturday, July 18, 2026 • 11am-2pm
Enjoy light refreshments and good community during the open studio events. Visit with the artists and learn more about their techniques and experiences. You might find a fabulous artwork to take home or commission your next favorite work!
Studio Artists'
Collective Exhibition
Exhibition Run:Â Fri, April 17 – Sat, May 30
Gallery Hours: Thursday – Saturday • 1-5pm
Opening Reception: Fri, April 17 • 6:30-9pm
Curated by the studio artists themselves, come experience a showcase of the impressive range of talent comprising the 2025-2026 lease session. Looking to support free art experiences? Volunteer as a gallery sitter!
