A Look Inside the Sneaker Stories Exhibit at Ponce City Market

BY

TICARUS M. BUNCH

Atlanta's Ponce City Market hosted a pop-up exhibit called Sneaker Stories, which is a traveling exhibition from the Miami-based Museum of Graffiti. The exhibit was co-founded by Allison Freidin, who partnered with Modelo to showcase the history of graffiti and how it has influenced sneaker culture and fashion. Inside of the exhibit there is what’s called the swag spot where visitors can customize their sneakers with charms and other accessories.

Allison Freidin explained the exhibit's purpose. She said, “the exhibit highlights the men and women who transitioned from the streets and trains to fashion, collaborating with global corporations like Nike, Adidas, and DC Shoes to create unique designs that we can all wear”.

The exhibit explores the history of graffiti and sneaker culture, dating back to the 1980s when hip hop emerged. It features the work of artists like Eric Hayes, Rammellzee, and Futura, who have played a significant role in the convergence of these two worlds. The exhibit tells the story of how graffiti art has influenced sneaker design and fashion over the past 30 years.

Allison said, “Atlanta is the perfect city to bring the exhibit to, as it is one of the best cities in America. That’s why we partnered with Modelo to bring a graffiti and culture experience to the city, showcasing the special story of the relationship between graffiti and sneaker culture”.

Overall, the Sneaker Stories exhibit at Ponce City Market is a celebration of the art form that has become a global phenomenon. It highlights the history of graffiti and its impact on sneaker culture and fashion, featuring the work of some of the most influential artists in the industry. Those who visited this event would contest that this event was a great decision, given the significant impact that hip hop culture has had on our music, dance, and attire.