Notable 9 in arts news in 2025: A year of change, losses and the retirement of a local icon

ArtsATL prides itself on being the conduit between the artist and their audiences, highlighting the work of local creatives and spotlighting the performances, events and exhibitions that are worth your time. We’re also your source for the news that impacts artists and arts patrons.

This year, one of our most-read stories was the announcement that Lois Reitzes would be retiring from WABE. It’s a story that didn’t fit neatly into any of our genre categories, but we wanted to highlight its importance. We realized there were many other stories that, although they could fit into our categories, felt more like news.

Driskell Prize winner announced

In May, the High Museum of Art announced Alison Saar as the winner of the 2025 David C. Driskell Prize. Saar is an acclaimed multidisciplinary Los Angeles-based artist whose artwork tells stories of the African American experience through sculpture, installation and mixed-media works. 

Doug Shipman to lead South Arts

Atlanta politician and civic leader Doug Shipman makes the move from his role as Atlanta’s City Council president to take the position of president and CEO of South Arts. It is one of six not-for-profit regional arts organizations (RAOs) funded by the National Endowment for the Arts to provide effective support to creatives through advocacy, funding, partnerships and collaborations. 

Floyd Hall steps down from Atlanta Contemporary

Hall assumed the role of executive director in January 2024 and resigned in August 2025. That’s a tenure of only 18 months, which is not very long by any stretch of the imagination, especially in comparison to his predecessor, Veronica Hogan, who served Atlanta Contemporary for 10 years.

Lois Reitzes retires and is honored by the ASO

In March, WABE announced the retirement of beloved Atlanta broadcaster and arts advocate Lois Reitzes after a 45-year career at the station. For the last 10 years, Reitzes has been devoted to City Lights, her regular program covering the arts and culture in Atlanta. But preceding City Lights (and running alongside it) has been Reitzes’ hosting of WABE’s broadcasts of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. At its May 29 performance, the ASO awarded Reitzes its rarest and most coveted honor: a golden ticket good for premium seats at any of its performances. 

City Lights Collective debuts in July, then canceled in September

In April, WABE announced plans for the replacement for retiring host Lois Reitzes’ City Lights. The show, called The City Lights Collective, launched on July 7. Unlike the earlier format, the new hour-long show included a list of contributors, including ArtsATL Executive Editor Shane Harrison, who previously worked for the AJC. In September, the show was abruptly canceled, with the station citing federal budget cuts. The last episode aired on September 25.

Remembering Robert Earl Price

Price, who died on April 16 at 83, carved out a singular space in American theater. From 1985 to 2007, he served as playwright in residence at Atlanta’s 7 Stages Theatre, where he formed a prolific partnership with Director Del Hamilton. Together, they produced works that fused poetry, improvisation and historical storytelling into something completely new.

Remembering Andrew Houchins

Andrew Houchins, associate artistic director of the Atlanta Shakespeare Company and a beloved actor, director and mentor to the Atlanta theater community, died November 9 after a sudden, brief battle with metastatic gastroesophageal cancer. He was 45. Friends and colleagues remember his humor and kindness, his passion for education and Shakespeare and his love for his family.

DeKalb Symphony experiences changes

At a time when the organization was preparing for its upcoming new season, the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra navigated a challenging period of change following the dismissal of some of its members. Beginning June 6, Music Director and Conductor Dr. Paul Bhasin, hired in 2022, contacted a significant number of the approximately 60 musicians by email to inform them that they would not be invited back or would have to re-audition for the 2025-2026 season. On a more positive note, the orchestra got a welcome venue upgrade this season and demonstrated newfound cohesion at its November 4 concert.

Fire ravages South River Art Studios

In the predawn hours of Wednesday, November 12, a tragedy began to unfold at the South River Art Studios. A spark, then raging flames followed by smoke and soot, overtook multiple artist studios in the sprawling arts facility in South Atlanta.