THE FINAL BOW celebrates an East Point community pillar, Grand Master Thomas, and his journey as owner of the beloved Atlanta Taekwondo Academy. After over 30 years of operation, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the academy to close. This installation pieces together still moments, artifacts, first hand accounts of how a unique art form poured love and guidance into a community, and what lies ahead for a community hero.

Archival photos and ephemera provided by Grand Master Thomas

Original photography by Rita Harper

"The Final Bow" documentary by Rita Harper & Ebony Blanding

"Gratitudes" by Laila Jhané

Exhibition design & production by Saira Raza

This installation is made possible with funding by The Nexus Grant for artists.