Meet Diana Ries | Art Director, Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diana Ries and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diana, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting Diana Ries Designs was about owning my creative direction and building something rooted in both intention and flexibility. I’ve always worn multiple hats—designer, artist, organizer—and launching my own business allowed me to integrate those roles in a meaningful way. I wanted the freedom to take on projects that reflected my values, whether that was brand strategy for a client, curating an art experience, or leading community-driven events like Castleberry Loft Tour & Wine Tasting (This Oct 25) …brazen plug here

What should our readers know about your business?
My business, Diana Ries Designs, started with nothing but hustle and creative instinct. After the music and entertainment publication I worked for folded, I suddenly found myself without a job, a plan, or a safety net. But I knew how to create—and that was enough to start.

In the early days, I said yes to just about anything. I painted murals, designed flyers, wrote taglines, produced events with my identical twin sister in Telluride—whatever it took. One of my first wild gigs was painting a massive “KISS” mural on the side of the Rhythm City building in the early 1990s. That job didn’t come with a roadmap, but it did remind me: If I could figure it out… I could make things happen.

Over time, those scrappy beginnings evolved into a career rooted in brand strategy, visual identity, storytelling, and experiential design. I built Diana Ries Designs as a studio where creativity meets intention—where every project, whether for a startup or a nonprofit, is driven by heart and meaning.

It wasn’t easy. I made mistakes. I learned the business side on the fly. But those early challenges gave me resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to keep evolving.

Now, I run my business from my loft in Castleberry Hill—a neighborhood that inspires my work daily. It’s where I design, make art, organize events, and collaborate with people who value creativity and community as much as I do. I’m proud that I built a business that reflects not just what I do, but who I am.

If there’s one thing I want people to take from my story, it’s this: you don’t have to have it all mapped out. You just need courage, curiosity, and the willingness to say yes to the next weird, wonderful opportunity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d start the week with a long, meandering walk through the neighborhood—checking out the fab murals, popping into art galleries, and ending with cocktails at Bottle Rocket (our beloved neighborhood bar, soon to relocate to Mitchell Street). If we were lucky, we’d catch a film crew setting up—Castleberry sees a ton of filming, thanks to our Film Chair, Carrie Burns, who keeps it all flowing behind the scenes.

We’d grab breakfast at No Mas! Cantina, where the coffee is strong and the vibe is colorful, then walk over to Nina Baldwin Gallery or ZuCot Gallery to take in some art. I’d make sure they visited The Bakery and other creative spaces nearby to see how grassroots arts still thrive in the city.

For something indulgent, we’d head over to Summerhill for delicious pastry at Little Tart Bakeshop, book dinner at Eight Sushi Lounge and have cocktails in their “secret” after-hours bar — After Eight. And, if Loft Tour or 2nd Friday Art Stroll was happening, that’s a no-brainer—we’d throw on something fun and spend the evening sipping wine, exploring galleries, and meeting the creatives who make this neighborhood what it is.

A hike through Cascade Springs Nature Preserve or a day trip to Ponce City Market and the BeltLine would be in the mix too—because you have to balance the art and architecture with some outdoor time.

We’d definitely catch a show at The Masquerade or Fox Theatre, and close out the week with wine on the Reverb rooftop, watching the sun dip behind Atlanta’s skyline. That’s when I’d remind them: this isn’t just a neighborhood, it’s a community—and one of the best-kept creative secrets in the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, Castleberry Hill itself deserves a shoutout—it’s more than a neighborhood, it’s a creative ecosystem. I’m constantly fed by the energy, the architecture, the artists, and the shared sense of purpose. It’s the kind of place where collaboration is natural and support is real.

Kim Singleton, who mentored me as I stepped into leading the Loft Tour, has been a guiding light. Plushette Ellis, whose work on the Art Stroll and economic development continues to elevate the neighborhood. Carrie Burns, who manages Castleberry’s busy film production calendar with grace and grit. These women are community pillars.

Big thanks to the businesses who consistently show up for our events with sponsorships, donations, and heart—like CIM Group, Bottle Rocket and Miya Baily. And of course, to my husband, Kevin, who always says yes when I come to him with “just one more idea.”

Lastly, I want to shout out every neighbor who volunteers, shows up, shares their loft, pours wine, or simply cheers us on. You’re the reason this all works—and the reason I keep showing up too.

Website: https://dianariesdesigns.com, Https://dianariesart.com, https://castleberrylofttour.com

Instagram: @dianariesart @castleberryhill