Artist and designer opens permanent installation at Atlanta location featuring original works, limited-edition merchandise, and immersive experience blending art with retail environment
Melissa Mitchell, an internationally recognized artist and designer has opened her first permanent gallery installation at a major department store in Atlanta. The space at Bloomingdale’s Lenox Square represents a new approach to presenting art within retail environments, combining traditional gallery elements with commercial accessibility.
The inaugural event features an immersive experience showcasing original abstract works alongside limited-edition merchandise including scarves, headbands, tumblers, and home décor items. This combination allows visitors to both view and purchase art-inspired products while experiencing Mitchell’s work in a curated gallery setting.
The installation occupies space on the store’s first floor near the customer service area, positioning art prominently within the shopping environment. This placement reflects growing trends toward integrating cultural experiences into retail spaces as department stores seek to differentiate themselves from online shopping options.
Photo courtesy of Abeille Creations Media
Gallery blends multiple creative disciplines
Mitchell operates a design house called Abeille Creations, which transforms paintings into wearable art, apparel, accessories, and home furnishings. This approach demonstrates how contemporary artists expand their practice beyond traditional gallery sales into lifestyle and fashion markets.
Her work has appeared in various contexts including celebrity wardrobes, fashion runways, gallery exhibitions, and public murals across multiple cities. This diverse portfolio reflects modern artistic careers that span multiple industries and distribution channels rather than focusing solely on fine art sales.
The retail gallery concept allows customers to encounter art in an unexpected setting while shopping for other items. This integration potentially exposes art to audiences who might not typically visit traditional galleries, expanding access to contemporary artistic expression.
Photo courtesy of Abeille Creations Media
Background spans multiple creative ventures
Mitchell’s portfolio includes over 500 original works and more than 40 murals, demonstrating sustained creative output across different scales and contexts. Her collaborations with major brands including retail chains, greeting card companies, and technology firms show how artistic practice can intersect with commercial applications.
Born in Miami to Bahamian American parents and now based in Atlanta, she established her design house in 2014. This timeline shows nearly a decade of building her brand before launching the permanent retail gallery space, suggesting careful business development rather than rapid expansion.
Her mission focuses on using color and creativity to educate, empower, and elevate communities. This social component adds depth to commercial art ventures by connecting artistic expression to community engagement and cultural impact beyond pure aesthetic or decorative purposes.
Photo courtesy of Abeille Creations Media
Retail partnership creates cultural destination
Mitchell describes the department store as more than a retail space, positioning it as a cultural destination where art, fashion, and lifestyle intersect. This framing reflects broader retail industry trends toward creating experiential shopping environments that offer more than simple product transactions.
The permanent installation allows for ongoing relationship building between Mitchell and audience rather than single-event exhibitions. Customers can return to see new works or seasonal merchandise changes, creating repeat engagement that benefits both the artist and the retail partner.
The location choice reflects Atlanta’s growing reputation as a cultural hub, particularly for Black artists and creators. Placing the gallery in a prominent shopping center provides visibility to both local residents and visitors from other cities who might discover Mitchell’s work while shopping.
Photo courtesy of Abeille Creations Media
Event launches ongoing gallery presence
The opening reception provides opportunity for direct artist interaction through meet-and-greet sessions, adding personal connection to the art viewing experience. This approach helps build collector relationships and provides insights into artistic process and inspiration behind the works.
Guests receive early access to pre-release collections before their official retail debut, creating exclusivity that encourages attendance and builds anticipation for future product launches. This strategy combines art appreciation with retail marketing to maximize both cultural and commercial impact.
The September 5 evening event targets local cultural influencers, collectors, and art enthusiasts during prime social hours. This timing and audience selection suggests strategic approach to building buzz and establishing the gallery as a significant addition to Atlanta’s cultural landscape.
The permanent gallery represents evolution in how artists can present and sell their work, combining traditional fine art display with retail accessibility and lifestyle product integration in ways that serve both artistic expression and business sustainability.
Photo courtesy of Abeille Creations Media