Midtown Alliance is bringing art to the forefront of the community with the launch of a new program called Heart of the Arts.
The multi-pronged initiative kicks off this month with a series of storefront exhibitions that showcase talents new to the district, support the local arts economy, activate currently vacant retail spaces, and energize the street-level experience for pedestrians.
“We are lucky to work in a district where supporting creativity is a core value,” said Ginny Kennedy, Midtown Alliance director of urban design. “Now more than ever, art is essential to elevate our mood and open our minds to new ideas. As we reengage with our surroundings in 2021, we invite artists and property owners to join us in amplifying a culture of creativity in Midtown.”
The inaugural selection of artists Shanequa Gay, Chiomma Hall, Melissa Huang, Kaye Lee Patton, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, Fabian Williams and Kristan Woolford.
Midtown stands out in the region as Atlanta’s hub of visual and performing arts, anchored by world-class museums, attractions, and cultural venues concentrated in a 1.2 square mile area.
The Heart of the Arts program builds upon Midtown Alliance’s mission to amplify the creative experience in Midtown, making it an essential part of daily urban life that is accessible to all.
The artists’ installations will be visible along Peachtree Street between 5th and 10th Streets, Peachtree Place, as well as on 10th Street, making the open-air experience easy to explore on foot, and even more fun when paired with Midtown Alliance’s colorful holiday lighting vignettes present throughout the district.
“I am so deeply thrilled with Midtown Alliance’s commitment and investment to amplify the voices of our city’s creative talents,” said Neda Abghari, who was commissioned by Midtown Alliance to curate the new initiative. “Although Midtown Alliance has installed public art before, Heart of the Arts seeks to be intentional in the way it supports Atlanta’s arts economy while also enriching the public sphere.”
Abghari is the founder and executive Director of The Creatives Project, an award-winning artist and residency program which has supported over 70 local talents through residency programs and exhibitions since 2011.
For the initial phase of the program, Midtown Alliance staff engaged curator Abghari to deliver the first round of temporary storefront exhibitions.
The works will be on display for approximately the next three months, beginning in late December 2020.
For more about the Heart of the Arts program, storefront exhibitions, artist bios and a behind-the-scenes look at the artists’ work, visit MidtownATL.com/arts.
