Public art transforms area south of Turner Field
A blighted area south of Turner Field has been revived as part of the recently unveiled University Avenue Corridor Public Art Project orchestrated by WonderRoot and supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Titled “Strong Roots Wide Branches,” the work, near the intersection of University and McDaniel Street, features three 20-foot-long sculpted cement panels and four three-dimensional sculptures placed in front of them.
Collectively they celebrate the past, present, and future of surrounding neighborhoods including Pittsburgh, Adair Park, Capitol View Manor and Capitol View.
The lead artist was Atlanta sculptor Fred Ajanogha, assisted by Eddie McBride and Katlin Rothacher.
The high-relief sculptures run along a fence behind which are long-abandoned lots with cracked asphalt once occupied by trucking companies.
Ajanogha’s credits include commissions by Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College, Atlanta Committee Olympic Games, Alabama State University, the city of Atlanta, the High Museum of Art and the Fulton County Arts Council.
The Casey Foundation is a national philanthropy that helps build brighter futures for disadvantaged children in the U.S.
WonderRoot is a nonprofit arts and service organization with a mission to unite artists and community to inspire positive social change. Information: uacpublicart.org.
Fourth art crop growing in WonderRoot CSA
WonderRoot also has announced details of its newest CSA (community supported art) project, a twist on the traditional agricultural CSA (community supported agriculture).
For the fourth edition, 40 investors can purchase “shares” in six works of art by metro artists for $400. The artists selected for this round are Danielle Brutto, Terri Dilling, Daniel Flores, Julie Sims, Jason Thomas and Joe Tsambiras.
Ranging in medium, the artwork will be distributed at a series of three gallery pick-up parties between September and December, each featuring artist talks and refreshments.
The ideas behind Atlanta’s first art CSA include to support Atlanta artists by commissioning them to create work; to help keep local talent here; to help artists increase their collector base; and to cultivate a culture of art collecting locally.
Shares of the WonderRoot CSA are available until Sept. 1 or until it sells out. Information: wonderroot.org/csa.
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