Atlanta art community rallies behind Freddie Styles

Earlier this year, out Atlanta artist Freddie Styles suffered an unimaginable tragedy.

Styles, 81, lost his home along with all of his own artwork and the art he had collected to a fire. Now, some of his friends and colleagues are helping him raise money to get back on his feet. 

On Aug. 27, Out On Film will host a fundraising screening of the documentary “Making Sweet Tea.”  The film is based on E. Patrick Johnson’s book “Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South,” which features more than 60 life stories from Black gay men who were born, raised, and continue to live in the South. Styles is one of the subjects. The film premiered at Out On Film in 2019.

Styles, Johnson, and some of the other subjects will be present for the screening. All money raised will go to Styles. A GoFund Me page has already raised almost $40,000 for Styles, and an auction at Hammonds House netted more than $30,000. 

Styles started his professional art journey in 10th grade when he sold his first paintings for $10 each. A graduate of Morris Brown College, he has served as an artist-in-residence at Clayton State University, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University; acted as Gallery Director and Curator of City Gallery East from 2003 – 2008; and been a part of numerous exhibitions as an individual. 

Styles had lived in the home lost to the fire since 2012.  The evening of the fire was traumatic. He was upstairs painting when he smelled something, came out of the room, and saw smoke at the top of the stairs. When he went downstairs, he saw flames and a blast of very hot air hit him in the face and singed his hair. He panicked and ran outside, where a woman who had seen the fire had pulled up and called 911. Styles said he feels fortunate that he got out of the house when he did. 

“I stood there and watched my house burn,” he said. 

He is now staying with a friend around the corner from where he lived off of Candler Road. The room he is living in is not the optimal space to work, but he’s been able to paint a little bit. He has a few pieces in an exhibit created by Dennis Baron called “What’s Your Pronoun?” on display through Atlanta Pride in the mayor’s office downtown.

Styles, his mother, and his sister moved from Madison, GA to Atlanta when he was 7 years old over 73 years ago. When Styles was younger, other kids would call him names such as sissy and Little Richard. He thought it might have been their way of trying to out him, but he didn’t let the name calling bother him. He wasn’t trying to hide anything. By the time he got to high school, Styles said he had the reputation of being a mean little sissy who was stronger than he looked.

“If someone attacked me, there was no way they could twist my arm that I could not get out of,” he said. “I’d find a sharp object or bite them with my teeth.” 

Styles has a long history of living his authentic self. Because of his early awareness of his sexuality, he has more stories in “Sweet Tea” than anyone else. When Johnson contacted him, Styles was surprised someone was doing such a book. 

“He came and interviewed me, and in September 2009 I went to the mailbox and there was a book with more than 600 pages,” Styles said. “I felt proud and honored to be part of it.” 

That was also the same year that Leroy O’Quinn, Styles’ partner of 44 years, died. Styles said O’Quinn was the first person that he thought loved him unconditionally – warts and all. 

“I think some of the guys in ‘Sweet Tea’ are still being oppressed and accepting that,” Styles said. “I always stood up for myself. I have never marched in a Pride Parade – I tell people I have been marching in a Pride Parade every day of my life.”

While still in Madison, Styles got tired of his coloring books one day and asked his mother to draw him something. She drew him a chicken, and he copied it. That struck a chord. Sitting on the porch, observing the textures of his surroundings, he started to draw. He would admire the beauty of the frozen condensation on the windowpane, or the texture of rocks and leaves. In fifth grade, he shared some of his work with an older friend, who told him he should be an artist. That was the mid-50s, however, and he was doubtful.  

“I did not know a colored person could be an artist,” he said. 

Styles said the outpouring of support since the fire has been overwhelming. 

“I’ve thought some people might have liked me, but they correct me and say ‘We love you,’” Styles said. “I must have done something right over the years.”

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