Joe Dreher
March 3 2021: If I were to summarize New Jersey native Joe Dreher in one phrase, I would call him a people person. Here is a quote from Joe’s website: “I consider myself a social artist. My work is mainly described as installation art. I use a number of tools and mediums to create my work including photography, murals, street art, wheatpaste, painting, sculpture, architecture, poetry to name a few. People are my primary interest and it is my appreciation for people that informs so much of my creative work…”. Dreher received his alternative moniker “JoeKingATL” when fellow artist Louis Lambert repeatedly told him “you’re the best, you’re the king”. The “king” nickname stuck and the added “ATL” of course refers to the city Joe loves: Atlanta.
As a child, Dreher was creative and interested in art, but his practical-minded engineer dad steered him towards a more traditional career. Joe spent time in the air force as a graphic designer (in the pre-computer days). Then when faced with a choice between an architectural engineering program at Drexel University in Philadelphia or a more creative program at SCAD in Savanah, Dreher chose the more creative path. He worked in the architecture field for 20 years holding positions from designer up to owning his own architectural firm working on projects ranging from single family houses to Olympic stadiums. Joe had to shut down his business in 2008 because of the Global Financial Crisis.
This shuttering of his architectural firm triggered a dark period in the artist’s life where Joe became depressed and physically present, but emotionally distant from his family. In 2013 as a way of rebuilding Dreher’s strained relationship with his 14-year-old son Alex, Alex’s teacher suggested that the father and son should volunteer together assisting muralists for Living walls. Volunteering with Living Walls and with other arts organizations proved therapeutic and transformative for both Joe and Alex. Meeting and working with artists through Joe’s volunteer work rekindled his interest in art at age 45.
During this time Dreher was an avid photographer. Joe understood that small gestures have big impacts on people. As a photographer, he would take pictures of anybody and everybody. Joe always tried to have authentic interactions with his photography subjects and felt enriched by these interactions. In 2014 Joe and Alex (then 16) had the opportunity to paint a mural together in Cabbagetown. When searching for a subject to paint, the lightbulb went off to paint one of Dreher’s photographs. He chose a photo of a down on his luck gas station clerk named Brian. This iconic “guy in the Atlanta hat” mural created with $20 of materials began Joe’s prolific new career as a muralist, and artist, and he hasn’t stopped since. And by the way the mural also had an enormous positive impact on Brian’s life.
Mostly self-taught, the artist has murals all over the city and each mural tells a story. Sometimes the message jumps out at you such as the “I am a vote” mural on Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. Sometimes the narrative is cleverly hidden for example the portrait of Mary Phagan concealed among the flowers in Joe’s mural on Georgia Ave in Summerhill. But the story is always there. Joe’s honors and credentials include a Master of Architecture Degree from the Savanah College of Art and Design (Cum Laude), the Outstanding Achievement in Architecture Award, AIA Design Award, the Commitment to Sustainability Award and a LEED certification.
Link to Joe Dreher’s website: http://joekingatl.com
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