Let’s All Be FRANK
By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos courtesy of FRANK
FRANK is a new community of Atlanta-based LGBTQIA+ artists. Their mission? Challenge societal norms, dismantle insular beliefs, and provoke meaningful dialogue around art, culture, politics, sexuality, and gender. Their inaugural exhibition is this coming Sunday, and we got a chance to talk to one of the founding members, Clint Zeagler, about the newly formed community, the exhibition itself, and the work they are doing to create spaces where subjects are explored with authenticity, respect, and courage.
First up, please tell us what FRANK is all about and how the concept evolved.
FRANK started from a desire to build community among Atlanta LGBTQ+ artists. We like the name because of its direct and honest connotation, but also because it sounds like a name.
Many of the founding artists were in a group exhibition called Queer Perspectives at the Steffan
Thomas Museum of Art. During that exhibition opening and subsequent artist talks, we got to know each other, developed an appreciation for each other’s art, and found common goals. We also drew inspiration from a past gay male arts group in Atlanta, called TABOO, founded in 1987. TABOO worked alongside other organizations of the time, like ACT UP, to bring focus to gay issues during the AIDS crisis, a very hard time for the gay community.
Members of FRANK were given the opportunity to view the TABOO archives at MOCA GA, and that formative experience helped lead to the creation of FRANK. Our collective, however, is focused on queer artists from across the LGBTQ+ community, rather than just gay men.
As mentioned, you have a wide variety of artists for this first exhibition. What were your thoughts around choosing these artists?
For our first exhibition, we really just wanted to introduce ourselves and showcase the art from each of the founding artists. For this exhibition, there was no selection committee, and the art is the personal expression and work of each individual artist.
Expect a diverse variety of media from photography, digital media, sculpture, painting, and textiles. I also expect a wide range of art in terms of price and size, so there should be something for everyone. If you want to start a collection, there are some wonderful artists with accessible pieces in the show. We will also have some FRANK tees at the opening, some wine, and Brad Gibson, aka DJ Neon Horror – it will be a good time with serious art and serious fun.
You’re also an artist yourself. What is your artistic expression?
I’m a textile artist, and this is my artist statement:
“In response to the increasing digitalization of life and specifically my life as a researcher and academic, my art has become an outlet for my hands and a respite from the technical. As artistic
creation in some spheres has become or is moving towards learning to cleverly craft briefs for artificial intelligence, in my art, I am more interested in oldworld techniques and textural manipulations too complex and too left to chance for machines to produce. Working with centuries-old root dye formulations and fixation methods, I color fabrics. Folding, pressing, knitting, deconstructing, aging, and embellishing with luxuries, I create compositions to evoke moods, to calm or energize. These compositions carry the story of the materials and textures, creating intentions. These textile incantations manifest and react to my experience living as a gay man in the American South. They are the salves and protections I search for; they are my spells and wards against a society that seeks to minimize my experience and harm my LGBTQ+ community.”
My current body of work is called ‘sea change’ and is in response to the same feelings I have around the founding of FRANK. In this moment of tension and uncertainty facing our LGBT+ community, my reaction has been one of reaching out and building connections, lending practical support, and safeguarding values and history.
How long will Being FRANK run?
It’s a short pop-up. It will run from Sept 14th through Sept 17th.
Do you have any future FRANK projects you can talk about?
We have lots of ideas. More group shows. FRANK discussions. Curated and juried shows around a topic with open calls to artists outside of our founding members. Every time we meet, we come up
with an interesting idea. One Idea that has been floated is a publicfacing wheat paste exhibition (so if one of your readers has a large, prominent public wall, please get in touch).
Why do you think Atlanta and the broader community need FRANK right now?
As a collective, we don’t have a leader or rigid structure, so I’m just going to comment from my personal opinion. I love what we have built so far. We get together and talk, we bounce ideas off each other, we encourage each other in times of trouble, and cheerlead in times of success. This kind of community building is how we, as a targeted group, can weather the storm. We need to learn from our past (like TABOO during the AIDS crisis) and hold onto the values and sparkle that not only make LGBTQ+ people special, but also enrich our lives and give our art meaning.
Art is often at the tip of the spear of change. It’s where we, as a larger society, see bravery and steadfastness in the face of censorship. That kind of bravery needs a support group and sometimes a scaffold to create new space and opportunity where others might be drying up.
How can you get involved with FRANK either as a patron or artist?
First and foremost, support local artists by buying their art. I can’t tell you the joy I get from seeing art that my husband and I have collected from local artists in my home. I know these people and their stories. Purchasing their art helps them continue to create more art. As far as getting involved with
FRANK as an artist, we have no formal process other than everyone agreeing that someone should join. If you know one of us, reach out.
Even if you are not a member, look out for future calls for shows, because we have talked about having juried themed shows open to the larger Atlanta arts community at some point. Join our mailing list at frankatl.org.
Check out FRANK, including all the founding artists at frankatl.org/founding-artists/, and make sure to be at the inaugural exhibition, featuring all the founding artists of FRANK:
Being FRANK: It Is Because I Am
Opening Reception: Sunday, September 14th, 4-8 PM 1544 Piedmont Ave NE, Suite 119, Atlanta, GA 30324
RSVP: frankatl.org/events
Finding Quality Friendships and Connections Through Gay Dating Apps
By Cator Sparks, Life Coach
Gay dating apps are often seen purely as spaces for hookups or romantic pursuits, but they can also be powerful tools for building authentic friendships and meaningful connections. By approaching them with intentionality, you can meet people who share your values, interests, and outlook. Here are five ways to make that happen:
1. Clarify Your Intentions
Before you open the app, decide what you’re looking for—friendship, conversation, or community. Stating this clearly in your profile helps filter out mismatched expectations and attract like-minded people.
2. Curate Your Profile
4. Meet in Low-Pressure Settings
Thoughtfully
Choose photos that reflect your personality and interests, not just your looks. Include prompts or descriptions that spark conversation—mention hobbies, favorite books, or causes you care about. This makes it easier for others to connect beyond surface attraction.
3. Engage Beyond Small Talk
Move past “Hey” and “What’s up?” by asking questions about shared interests or local events. Deeper conversations often start with curiosity and openness rather than generic chit-chat.
If you decide to connect offline, choose environments that encourage relaxed interaction— coffee shops, group hikes, art exhibits, or community events. These create space for genuine rapport without the pressure of a date.
5. Stay Open to Different Types of Connection
Not every match will become your new best friend. Some people may become activity buddies, professional contacts, or part of a wider social network. Value each connection for what it is rather than forcing it into a specific mold.
By shifting your mindset from “finding the one” to “finding your people,” gay dating apps can become gateways to rich friendships and lasting bonds— connections that nourish your social and emotional life in ways romantic relationships alone can’t.
Sisterhood, Sass, and Steel Steel Magnolias
Blooms in Atlanta This September
Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Few stories capture the joy, heartbreak, and sheer fabulous resilience of Southern womanhood quite like Steel Magnolias. Now, Atlanta audiences are in for a treat as Saint Mark Drama Ministry brings this beloved classic back to the stage with a production that’s equal parts hairspray, humor, and heart.
Running across two weekends— September 12–14 and 19–21—this fresh take on Robert Harling’s iconic play is directed by Mike Beecham and staged at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Midtown. And while the performances promise the big laughs and tearjerker moments, we all know and love, this Steel Magnolias comes with a distinctly Atlanta twist: it’s rooted in community, resilience, and service.
A Story That Hits Home in Atlanta
Set in a Louisiana beauty salon, Steel Magnolias is a tale of six unforgettable women whose lives intertwine through gossip, grief, and gallons of Aquanet. Their wit is razor-sharp, their loyalty unshakable, and their determination stronger than steel. Sound familiar? That’s because their story echoes the women—and chosen families—who’ve long defined Atlanta’s own queer and Southern spirit.
From Buckhead to Virginia-Highland,
Atlanta has always been a city where tradition meets transformation. These characters embody that mix, standing tall in the face of heartbreak while serving plenty of side-eye and sweetness along the way. “Atlanta audiences are in for something truly special,” says Director Mike Beecham. “This production captures everything we love about Southern storytelling— the laughter that heals, the tears that cleanse, and the friendships that sustain us through everything life throws our way.”
More Than Theater: Giving Back with Style
What makes this staging even more impactful is its mission. A portion of the show’s proceeds will benefit Saint Mark’s Tuesday Supper Club and Saturday Breakfast Club, programs that provide free, nutritious meals for Atlanta’s unhoused residents. In true Steel Magnolias fashion, the production isn’t just about telling stories of care and compassion—it’s about living them.
So when you buy a ticket, you’re not just supporting local theater. You’re helping feed neighbors, provide safe community spaces, and extend a hand to those who need it most. That’s the kind of solidarity our queer and allied community knows well: finding strength in togetherness.
Sponsored with a Dash of Glam
And because Steel Magnolias wouldn’t be Steel Magnolias without some serious style, Steve Hightower Salon and Spa is sponsoring the production. That means audiences can expect authentic salon flair to bring Truvy’s world to life—complete with the blowouts, banter, and bouffants that keep the story sparkling.
Why Queer Audiences Will Love It
For LGBTQ+ audiences, Steel Magnolias has always been a touchstone. It’s about chosen family, resilience in the face of loss, and the way laughter becomes medicine in tough times. It’s campy, heartfelt, and deeply Southern—all qualities that resonate with queer life in Atlanta. The story reminds us that strength comes in many forms, and often, it’s the friendships forged in everyday spaces (yes, even a beauty shop) that carry us through the hardest seasons.
Don’t Miss This Southern Classic
So grab your tissues, your besties, and maybe a little waterproof mascara— because Steel Magnolias at Saint Mark Drama Ministry is set to be a night of belly laughs, ugly cries, and
big-hearted Southern storytelling. This is theater that feeds your soul while feeding your community. Because in the South—and especially in Atlanta— the strongest steel is always found in community, compassion, and the friendships that last a lifetime.
Performance Details
· What: Steel Magnolias
· Where: Saint Mark United Methodist Church, Atlanta
· When: September 12–14 and 19–21, 2024
· Times: Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PM
Special Note: Proceeds benefit Tuesday Supper Club & Saturday Breakfast Club ministries
BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN
BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE
BULLDOGS
893 Peachtree St NE
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl.com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE
X MIDTOWN xmidtown.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE
THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE
CHESHIRE
HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
WESTSIDE
MARQUETTE 868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
840ATL 840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd
ANSLEY
ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE
TRIPPS fb: tripps-bar 1931 Piedmont Cir NE
EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD
MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE
SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch. com 466 Edgewood Ave SE
LORE ATLANTA loreatl.com 466 Edgewood Ave loreatl.com
DINING
MIDTOWN
CASA ALMENARA 991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com
OLIVE BISTRO olivebistro.com 1050 Juniper St NE #4
LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com
900 Monroe Dr NE
TUK TUK THAI FOOD LOFT TUKTUKATL.COM 1745 Peachtree Rd NW
DEKALB
LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE
RETAIL
MIDTOWN
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A
ANSLEY
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com
1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE FITNESS
URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbody tness. com
500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE
GRAVITY FITNESS gravity tnessatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SPAS/BATHS ADULT
FLEX SPA exspas.com 76 4th St NW
SOUTHERN NIGHTS
2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
Atlanta Socializers Club
Photos by: Russ Youngblood
We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.
How tf is it already September? Time flies when you spend 8 hours a day on Outlook.
I need to quit my job, so I can focus more on my laundry.
Super excited about a brand-new week hanging on by a thread.
Your body is begging you for water, fruits, and veggies. Not Don Julio.
I’m awake, sure, but at what cost?
Tops are just bottoms too lazy to douche. What if my soulmate is a girl, and I’m out here sucking d*ck for no reason?!
Any guy who parallel parks or backs in the spot with one hand and the music blasting is a felon.
DoxyPEP
