The closest airport to the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead is the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is about a 30-minute ride by car. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) system runs to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Fares are $2.50 each way. From the airport, Grand Hyatt Atlanta guests should board Northbound trains (N to North Springs). Exit at the Buckhead Station N7 onto Peachtree Road S. The Buckhead Station is two blocks from our hotel. 
There are also rental cars, taxis and shared ride services are easily available from the airport. 

Come to the foyer of the Grand Ballroom on Thursday, April 9 starting at 4:00pm. Remember your tickets for classes, banquet and bus will be in the back of your name badge. Please wear your name badge during the conference as you will need it to enter the General Sessions and breakout classes.

The Expo Hall's Grand Opening is on Thursday at 4:00pm with a wide variety of art materials and services:

​

                  Thursday:   4:00pm-7:30pm                              Saturday:  10:00am-5:00pm

                  Friday:       10:00am-5:30pm                              Sunday:     8:30am-12:30pm

Exhibitors this year are: Artefex, BLICK Art Materials, Chelsea Classical Studio Fine Art Materials, General Pencil Company, Golden Artist Colors, Jack Richeson & Co., Michael Harding Handmade Paints, New Wave Fine Art Products, Richard Schmid Publications, Rosemary & Co., Silver Brush Limited, smART Coach, Tusc & Pine®, Vasari Classic Artists’ Oil Colors, Workshops in France, Workshops in South Africa, and Workshops in Yorkshire.

The Portrait Society offers a variety of books by faculty and other well-known artists. – we will only be accepting checks or credit cards (no cash) for books. Make note of our book signing, buy your books early and have it signed by the author! Books will be available for sale from 11am-2pm in the Grand Ballroom foyer with book signings offered: 

Friday, 12:30pm: Jeremy Lipking, Michael Shane Neal, Mary Whyte. 
Saturday, 12:30pm: Casey Childs, Susan Lyon. ​​

The top artworks from the International Portrait Competition will be on display in the Library, right across from the Fabled bar on the lobby level. Don’t forget to place your vote for the People’s Choice award. You will receive your ballot when you pick up your name badge, and ballots must be dropped in the ballot box located in the Library by Saturday at 2:00pm.

Among one of the most popular programs at the conference are the individual portfolio critiques, which will be held in the Foyer of the Highland Ballroom located on the Lobby Level. Take advantage of the artists who have generously agreed to critique portfolios during the Friday and Saturday lunch hour from 12:30pm-2:00pm. Feel free to share your artwork for critiques electronically on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. You do not have to bring a physical portfolio notebook unless you have one. 

This fast-paced and exciting event features donated artwork by past and current faculty, Gold Medal recipients and other award winners, offered for a fixed price of $275! Our 6x9: Limited Size, Unlimited Talent Mystery Art Sale takes place on Friday night, in the Grand Ballroom. Doors open for viewing at 5:30pm, the sale begins at 6:00pm. The surprise comes after purchase when the buyer discovers whose painting they have acquired.

There will be a Cocktail Reception on Saturday with a bar from 6:00pm-7:00pm in the Grand Ballroom Foyer (hotel is now cashless). Doors open at 7:00pm for banquet seating. If you have already purchased a ticket, it will be in your name badge. Remember to bring the ticket with you to the Grand Ballroom. Want a reserved seat? We implemented a system that allows attendees to reserve a seat at the banquet.  To do so, bring your ticket (and others you want to sit with) to the Registration desk on Friday between 8:00am-4:00pm and Saturday between 8:00am-2:00pm and we will reserve your seat.  

• Please note: Grand Hyatt Atlanta is CASH FREE - and only accepts credit cards, debit cards and, where applicable, other contactless forms of payment. It is a cash-free environment.

In addition to options within walking distance, the hotel will be offering easy on-site meals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Grand Ballroom foyer prepared just for our attendees. Breakfast will be continental style with fruit, yogurt, assorted bakery items with coffee and tea. Lunch options are by pre-order and include Turkey BLT, Chicken Salad, Roast Beef, Roasted Vegetables in Wrap and Cobb Salad (GF). Pre-order forms will be available in the Ballroom Foyer each day and will need to be turned in before 10am. The hotel also offers the Cassis Restaurant for breakfast, the redesigned Fabled bar, or the Grand Market for a grab and go option.

Through the generosity of the artists participating in the Face-Off event, we are offering their demonstration artwork for purchase through a silent auction. It will be held immediately following the 6x9 Art Sale at 6:30pm Friday, in the Grand Ballroom. If we have active bidding right up to the 6:30pm deadline, we will go to a live auction to complete the sale. Funds raised from the auction will be used to support our scholarship program.

Yes, we offer a Free Drawing Studio during the conference with models provided. The Hours are Thursday: 7:30pm-10:00pm, Friday 12:30pm-7:00pm and Saturday 12:30p-10:00pm. Drawing supplies only (Please - no painting is allowed as the hotel has just renovated and has new carpeting.)  KAREY - check these times with the schedule I did them from memory.

If you register for the virtual conference, you will have access to live-stream all of the presentations and demonstrations that take place on the Mainstage in the Grand Ballroom. This includes Friday breakout session “Solid Beginnings” with Frances Bell and Shane Wolf and Saturday breakout session “Capturing Innocence: A Dual Demo on Painting the Child’s Portrait” with Anna Rose Bain and Louis Carr. What's not included are the other breakout sessions or the Pre-Conference Workshops as those take place outside of the Grand Ballroom. View Virtual Conference Schedule here.