Lisa Kurzner courtesy of Jason Fulford

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Artists from top to bottom: Martin Kippenberger, If you’re unable to deal with freedom, try it out with women; Lee Friedlander, Nebraska 1999, Fraenkel Gallery; Shimabuku, On the beach in Zurich; Dave Jordano, Pastor Mallett’s Back Room.

For its annual October public art project, Atlanta Celebrates Photography (ACP) has engaged photographer, publisher and curator Jason Fulford to organize an effort guaranteed to put photography under the nose of Atlanta’s restaurant-goers. Placemats with photographs by 40 contemporary photographers will grace the lunch tables at many of Atlanta’s hippest eateries from October 1 - 20.

The project is based on a similar one he produced with his publishing partner at J&L Books, Leanne Sharpton, in 2004. Fulford has gathered a wildly diverse group of images made by a broad cadre of artists for this art project, including such illustrious names as Lee Friedlander, Roger Ballen and Greta Pratt. Many other photographers familiar to Atlanta audiences will participate, including Bill Boling, Ron Jude and Michael David Murphy. Works by contemporary artists as well as classical photographers will also be on display. Even a contribution by the infamous German artist Martin Kippenberger, now deceased, was made by the gallery representing his estate.

Each artist contributed an image gratis, ensuring that most funds will go toward printing and production, which should result in some eye-catching take-away art for the most sharp-eyed diners. The placemats will be provided without charge to the restaurants and are not for sale, thus keeping the spirit of art in the public eye alive and well in our city.

ACP, which hosts an annual citywide photography festival each October, has produced a public art project for the past three years in an effort to support photography in its most democratic guise. This year’s project brings a brilliantly selected cache of images that will delight and surprise, and it introduces a crop of artists to the public in a format far removed from a formal gallery setting.

Fulford is himself somewhat of a scavenger. He collects images of all kinds and puts them to use in numerous projects he continually develops. Trained as a photographer and graphic artist, this Atlanta native has worked in commercial photography as well as on the gallery and lecture circuit. He attended Pratt Institute on a full scholarship, shooting personal work on weekends while working for a graphic design studio. Following his first commercial job for Life magazine, Fulford established a career that enabled him to support himself and pursue personal work as well. Through J&L Books he has had the opportunity to champion both the literature and the photography he loves.

Fulford’s work was recently featured in Blindspot magazine; he is represented by Marcia Wood Gallery in Atlanta. Lisa Kurzner is a board member of the non-profit Atlanta Celebrates Photography.

Atlanta Celebrates Photography’s Annual Festival Opening Reception Thursday, September 27, 6:30 - 8:30 pm The Museum of Contemporary Art Second Annual Photography Auction Friday, September 28, 6:30 - 10 pm King Plow Arts Center Visit acpinfo.org for details on the lecture series, film series and other events.