Elevate Art

Experience Atlanta’s public art scene like never before

This event may have been changed due to COVID-19 outbreak precautions. Please check official event and venue websites to confirm the status.

When: September 5 – October 31, 2021
Where: Eight different neighborhoods

This year’s ELEVATE Atlanta Art Festival is different from past years. Normally it takes place during 10 days in a particular neighborhood. Because of the pandemic and its effect on artists and the arts community, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs wanted to do more this year. As a result, the festival expanded to two months – eight weekends in eight different neighborhoods.

In addition to promoting community happenings such as festivals and plays, Elevate also includes curated and produced events. ELEVATE 2021: REOPEN, REIGNITE & RECONNECT is a gift to the city. Check back here weekly to find out what surprises ELEVATE has in store each weekend through Oct. 31.

2021 Elevate schedule

Week 5: Southeast – October 22-24

EMBLEM OF ADVOCACY MURAL BY JESSICA BLINKHORN

This mural represents the Disabled and Aging communities and will feature images of seven Atlanta residents who advocate simply by living their life as if their lives were without limitations in a society that limits them. Jessica is an individual with a disability, a working artist, and arts instructor in Atlanta. Her mural design will be installed by her art students during the weekend of October 22-24.
When:  October 22-24, 2021
Where:  Global Grub Collective, 479 Flat Shoals Ave SE (parking lot facing wall)

THOUGHTS OF A YOUNG…A NEW MURAL BY FABIAN WILLIAMS

Using thought bubbles to communicate with the viewer, artist Fabian Williams’ new mural of young Black men and women revisits events of the past eighteen months. The mural’s subjects contemplate what their lives might be like post-COVID as it relates to food, masks, fashion and more.
When:  October 22, 2021
Where:  1650 Jonesboro Rd

CLEVELAND AVENUE MURAL RESTORATION BY ASHLEY DOPSON

This vibrant, colorful mural at the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Metropolitan Boulevard depicts a lively scene with members of the Perkerson and Hammond Park communities interacting, and children playing musical instruments.
When:  October 22, 2021
Where:  Cleveland Ave near Metropolitan Boulevard (across from Kroger)

HEALTHY ART, FITNESS & MUSIC FESTIVAL IN RODNEY COOK PARK ON VINE STREET

MOVE, BREATHE, MEDITATE
RAWR Yoga demonstrates healthy breathing, mediation and yoga techniques starting at 11 a.m.
Shannon B. Joy will conduct Yoga demonstrations through the day starting at 11 a.m.

TELLING THE STORIES
Join Nsoroma Bookshelf for make-it-take-it printmaking and a pop up browsing library featuring a curated selection of picture books about artists, makers and innovators. Recommended for all families with children from ages 5 and 10. 12-4PM.
Barry Stewart Mann will present Tales from the Urban Forest, nature-based, family storytelling that connects Atlanta parks to local nature preserves through song, story, imaginary journeying, and photography. The project encourages audiences to explore the outdoors, get exercise and fresh air, appreciate native flora and fauna, and socialize safely in this time of pandemic. 1PM, 2PM

PICNIC IN THE PARK
Start the day with DJ Rev Lee providing workout vibes and picnic sounds.
The Al Smith Jam Session has assembled some of Atlanta’s best musicians including Rae Evans and special guests playing jazz, funk, R&B, Soul and more.
Synchronicity Theatre is presenting Three Little Birds, a musical with words and music by reggae legend Bob Marley.
When:  October 23, 2021, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where:  Phoenix II Park, 141 Martin Street

MOVING IN THE SPIRIT COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Moving in the Spirit is celebrating their new home by MARTA’s Edgewood/Candler Park Station! Activities will be held outdoors in their community greenspace and include a communal dance accompanied by live drummers, performances by Moving in the Spirit students and alumni, and music by a DJ.
When:  October 23, 2021, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where:  Moving in the Spirit, 1458 LaFrance St. NE

COLOR THE COVE: A MURAL EVENT BY ARTS BEACON GALLERY

Arts Beacon Gallery is a small experimental art gallery and studio in Grant Park run by artists Jena Dost, Erin Wicker and Erin Drakeford. They are partnering with The Lotus Eaters Club for an all-day live mural painting event. Ten local artists will paint over 1,000 square feet of murals on the walls of the Artist Cove at The Beacon, an industrial complex turned shopping, dining, and arts destination. The event includes DJs and an artist market. Local breweries and food trucks will be onsite.
When:  October 23, 2021, noon – 9 p.m.
Where:  Arts Beacon Gallery, 1039 Grant Street SE

POETS FOR THE REVOLUTION: A VIRTUAL PROTEST

The debut documentary from poet Ashlee Haze and creative director Ian A. Louis was birthed out of the protests of 2020, the desire to create meaningful art during a pandemic, and the mission to make a film dealing with institutional racism. In addition to Haze, the film includes performances and work by Mia Willis, W.J. Lofton, Adan Bean, Zack Linly, Miguel Santiago, Jerome Monroe, and Sharod Allen.
When:  October 23, 2021, 5 p.m.
Where:  Buteco at The Beacon, 1039 Grant St SE Suite C-10

DESTINATION DANCE AILEY ATLANTA & DANCE CANVAS OFFER FREE WORKSHOPS AT MOVING IN THE SPIRIT CELEBRATION

The Moving in the Spirit Celebration will include, Destination Dance Ailey Atlanta and Dance Canvas are to present some exciting workshops for students and professional dancers. Workshops will be taught by Nasha Thomas, Ailey Master Teacher and National Director, AileyCamp.
When:  October 24, 2021
Where:  Moving in the Spirit, 1458 LaFrance St. NE

SOUTH RIVER ART STUDIOS ART SHOW & OPEN HOUSE

Located in East Atlanta near the banks of the South River, their studios offer affordable spaces for artists, designers, and other creatives. Inhabiting a series of warehouses on 4 acres of converted industrial land, the project mission is to retain and strengthen Atlanta’s contemporary art community. They welcome artists of diverse backgrounds, ages and experiences.
When:  October 24, 2021, 2-4 p.m.
Where:  South River Art Studios, 1300 Fleetwood Dr.

RUBY VELLE AND THE SOULPHONICS WITH ALGEBRA BLESSETT IN CONCERT AT WESTSIDE PARK

Join us for the funk and Stax-style Southern soul of Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics. Add an eclectic mix of pop, hip-hop and R&B with singer, songwriter Algebra Blessett, and it’s sure to be a fabulous afternoon in the park!
When:  October 24, 2021, 2-5 p.m.
Where:  Westside Park, 1621 Johnson Rd. NW

PRAISE HOUSE PROJECT PREVIEW AT SOUTH-VIEW CEMETERY

In response to laws forbidding gathering, enslaved people created Praise Houses – small wooden structures (barns or shacks) – used for worship throughout the Southeast. This event will be a preview of the Praise House coming to South-View Cemetery and will include a projection installation, music, performances, and a celebration in honor of the African American history of the City of Atlanta. We will journey through time with music past to present. We will Ring Shout in honor of the ancestors and march in a procession of praise through these sacred grounds. Guests may also take guided tours to learn the history of Atlanta’s earliest African American cemetery where John Lewis and others now rest.
When:  October 24, 2021, 2-5 p.m.
Where:  South-view Cemetery, 1990 Jonesboro Rd SE

ATLANTA CELEBRATES PHOTOGRAPHY (ACP) FAMILY PHOTOWALK IN GRANT PARK

Encouraging curious exploration through the lens, ACP invites you to pick up a camera and take a walk with us at Grant Park. Guided by a photo instructor and a preservationist, we’ll take a closer look at the natural world all around us. One camera will be provided for each registration and participants will leave with a small print of one of their images.
When:  October 24, 2021, 2:30 p.m.
Where:  Grant Park, Milledge Fountain, 547 Cherokee Ave. SE

“BODY GUARDING” DANCE PERFORMANCE AT 54 COLUMNS

This is a site-specific dance theatre performance and installation from Bautanzt. The work explores and celebrates the new post-Covid corporeality. Its key theme is the human body in a post-pandemic world. Choreography by Nadya Zeitlin and dancers. Set design by Dima Alekceev and music by Ptar Flamming.
When:  October 24, 2021, 6 p.m.
Where:  54 Columns is at the intersection of Glen Iris Drive & Highland Ave. NE

Insider tips

• Elevate Art is produced by the Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Atlanta. Elevate was placed in the top 50 public art projects in the Nation through Americans for the Arts Public Art Network, as well as the top 10 projects for City Livability. 
• King + Duke has crafted a special cocktail “Reignite the Arts” for Elevate lovers. Here is the mix: bourbon, wildflower honey+ginger, lemon, smoky scotch. Not enough? Here are a few more options: “Still Life” from JCT. Kitchen & Bar, “Rockwell’s Cocktail” from The Optimist and “Papa & Picasso” from Marcel.

Know before you go

What is the contact information of Elevate Art?

160 Trinity Avenue,
Atlanta, GA 30303