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Nordstrom / Harlem's Fashion Row / Buckhead, Atlanta

NORDSTROM
FASHION EVENT

Atlanta live event painter Corey Barksdale was commissioned by Nordstrom 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

Corey was commissioned to hand-paint a large-scale canvas live at Nordstrom's Phipps Plaza store in Buckhead, 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, giving guests a chance to watch an original piece of art take shape in real time alongside the celebration.

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 — the kind of live, in-store execution that turns a retail activation into a shareable, memorable moment for shoppers and brand partners alike.

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 moved through a tight program at Nordstrom Phipps Plaza: a cocktail reception opened the night, followed by a panel discussion moderated by a Harlem's Fashion Row representative and featuring a panel of celebrated Black and Latino fashion designers. The reception then resumed with informal modeling, shopping, and a meet-and-greet with the designers before the celebration wrapped for the night.

Corey set up on-site ahead of the doors opening and painted throughout the evening — a 3x4-foot canvas — building a large-scale acrylic piece live as guests moved through the store, giving shoppers an unscripted, behind-the-scenes look at how a finished work of art comes together.

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 — and giving the live painting a cultural anchor beyond simple decor.

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, keeping the finished art on-brand while still capturing the energy of the room.

03 / THE PRACTICE

Retail activations and brand events.

Live painting gives a retail celebration a visual centerpiece guests remember — a finished canvas that reflects the night's theme and doubles as a keepsake for the brand. 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, during a September 2024 evening reception running 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?

Bring live painting to your next store opening, brand event, or celebration in Atlanta and beyond.