Makiko Maekawa|Atlanta Contemporary

Makiko is passionate about creating art and how it can connect people and flourish their sense of belonging. She believes the best part about connecting through art is sharing the joy of discovery and listening to the stories behind an artwork.

She has been connected with the art-making process ever since she can remember. It became an essential place for calm and happiness when she moved to the United States from Japan, where she experienced language and cultural barriers. Through that experience, she became dedicated to sharing the art-making process with the community, where it can be used to express, heal, have fun, and make connections.

Makiko believes kids have magical powers in creativity and imagination. She is originally from Japan and studied photography in Baltimore, MD. As a child, she learned that art is a universal language that allows kids to express their power. She currently lives in Atlanta and creates art in mixed media, including photographic images.