Nordstrom / Harlem's Fashion Row / Buckhead, Atlanta

NORDSTROM
FASHION EVENT

Atlanta live event painter Corey Barksdale was commissioned by Nordstrom's Event Marketing team to paint live at their Phipps Plaza store in Buckhead, for an evening celebrating Black designers held in partnership with Harlem's Fashion Row.

The commission

Live painting for a night celebrating Black designers

Nordstrom's Regional Marketing team booked Corey to hand-paint a large-scale canvas live at their Phipps Plaza store in Buckhead on September 19, 2024, as part of an evening built around Harlem's Fashion Row — the organization known for spotlighting Black and Latino fashion talent. The event paired a designer panel with shopping, informal modeling, and a cocktail reception.

Corey worked from a concept image supplied by Nordstrom's team, painting continuously through the reception and modeling, with a short pause during the panel discussion.

Inside the event

Photos from the evening are being added to this page — check back soon, or see more of Corey's live event painting work in the meantime.

The evening ran on a tight program at Nordstrom Phipps Plaza: guests arrived at 5:30 p.m. for a cocktail reception, followed by a 6:00 p.m. panel discussion moderated by a Harlem's Fashion Row representative and featuring designers and panelists Megan Renee, Rebecca Henry, Akua Shabaka, and Charles Harbison. The reception resumed at 6:30 p.m. with informal modeling, shopping, and a meet-and-greet with the designers before the event closed at 7:30 p.m.

Corey set up on-site by 4:30 p.m. and painted throughout — roughly an 8x8-foot footprint for his easel, canvas, and supplies — building a large-scale acrylic piece live as guests moved through the store.

Corey Barksdale, Atlanta live event painter

01 / THE PARTNER

Harlem's Fashion Row.

The evening was held with Harlem's Fashion Row, the organization founded to elevate Black and Latino designers within the fashion industry, pairing retail with a platform for the designers featured on the panel.

02 / THE PROCESS

Built from a brand concept.

Rather than painting freely, Corey adapted a reference image the Nordstrom team supplied into a live, large-scale acrylic painting — the same process he brings to nonprofit galas and other branded activations.

03 / THE PRACTICE

Retail activations and brand events.

This sits alongside Corey's other live painting bookings for brands, nonprofits, and private events — see the full Live Event Painting page, or browse the Work gallery.

Helpful project answers

Frequently asked questions

What was the Nordstrom event Corey Barksdale painted at?

A fashion celebration hosted at Nordstrom's Phipps Plaza store in Buckhead, Atlanta, held in partnership with Harlem's Fashion Row and featuring a designer panel, informal modeling, and shopping.

Where and when did the live painting take place?

At Nordstrom Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, Atlanta, on September 19, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

What did Corey Barksdale paint?

A large-scale piece adapted from a concept image supplied by Nordstrom's event team, painted live on canvas throughout the evening.

Is Corey Barksdale available for retail and brand activations?

Yes. He works with retailers, brands, and event planners on live painting built around a store activation, campaign, or celebration.

Work with Corey Barksdale

Planning a retail or brand activation?

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NORDSTROMFASHION EVENT