*This exhibition is on display from May 15 – September 27, 2026.

Amy Sherald is my favorite contemporary artist, and when I saw that her American Sublime exhibition had opened at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, I knew I would find my way there somehow.

I appreciate her brilliant use of color, space, and the convincing emotion you feel from each of the people she depicts. Though the colors are bold, her portraits are quiet and they command your attention. There is very little distraction in her work. Instead, your eyes are drawn directly to the humanity of the person she captures.

I first saw her portrait of Michelle Obama several years ago at LACMA, and that was the moment I fell in love with her work. It wasn’t just because her subject was our forever poised and powerful First Lady. It was because Ms. Sherald portrayed her in a way that felt entirely new. Rather than leaning into the formalities that have historically defined official First Lady portraits, she captured Michelle Obama with softness, introspection, and an unmistakable sense of self. It felt personal. Human.

That same quality exists throughout American Sublime.

Walking through the exhibition, I kept returning to the thought that Amy Sherald paints dignity as much as she paints people. Her subjects look back at you with vulnerability, curiosity, and even peace. As a Black person, somehow every expression feels familiar.

It’s impossible for me to think about Amy Sherald’s work without also thinking about her portrait of Breonna Taylor.

One painting commemorates a woman whose life was cut tragically short. Another immortalizes the first Black First Lady while she is very much alive and continuing to shape history. Those are two vastly different moments, but I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that Amy Sherald was entrusted with both.

In one portrait, she preserves legacy. In the other, she restores humanity.

Breonna Taylor’s name became wrapped in headlines, protests, court proceedings, and political debate. Sherald’s portrait insists that before all of that, there was simply a woman. A daughter. Someone who deserved to be seen beyond the circumstances of her death. Likewise, her portrait of Michelle Obama allows us to see a woman whose identity extends far beyond the office she occupied.

That, to me, is what makes Sherald’s work so extraordinary.

She paints men and women with remarkable tenderness, but there is something especially profound about the way she paints Black women. Her work doesn’t stereotype or show spectacle. Instead, it demonstrates complexity, grace and stillness.

For so much of history, Black people have been documented through someone else’s lens. Amy Sherald paints us through our own humanity.

This is why her work resonates with me. I don’t just admire the technical mastery, the muted gray skin tones, or the striking color palettes. I admire the invitation she gives viewers to to simply see another person.

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Planning Your Visit

Atlanta is a great city to visit even for just a weekend. Midtown is a walkable neighborhood, which makes it easy to visit the High Museum plus parks, dinner at great restaurants and and other cultural attractions.

Where to Stay

I recommend The Starling Atlanta Midtown as your home base. It’s just a few minutes from the High Museum of Art, so it’s close enough to walk or take a quick rideshare to the museum. It also puts you close to Piedmont Park, Colony Square, and some of Midtown’s best restaurants. The hotel has a chic, modern, boutique feel with comfortable rooms, a rooftop pool, and it’s part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, so there’s a chance to earn or redeem points if you’re a Hilton Honors member.

If you’re planning a weekend in Atlanta, the Starling Atlanta Midtown is the kind of hotel you’ll be glad to return to after exploring the city.

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Where to Eat After Your Museum Visit

After taking in an exhibition like American Sublime, you might want to continue the vibes into the evening.

My favorite Atlanta recommendation is Rock Steady, hands down. The atmosphere is both upscale and relaxed, with rhythmic music, friendly staff, and always lively energy.

The Caribbean-inspired menu is divine just like the ambiance, so it’s a nice way to end your day. Read my full review here.

More Things to Do Nearby

Atlanta is a city that I happen to really like, so if you’re already spending the day in Midtown, it’s definitely worth exploring a little more.

Take a walk through Piedmont Park. Atlanta is known for its green space, so if the weather is nice, I would recommend taking advantage of it.
If you’re interested in the performing arts, the Woodruff Arts Center is home to the Alliance Theatre and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, which are right on the same campus as the High Museum.
If you have any leftover energy for a walk, then you can head to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail or Ponce City Market for shopping, more food, and murals.

One of my favorite things about the museum is that the neighborhood allows you to turn a couple hours of art into an entire day of exploring Atlanta.