Living Walls sets up shop on Buford Highway

Last week, President Donald Trump spoke to a group of reporters about the status of the wall he’d like to see extended along the country’s southern border. In the most in-depth discussion he’s had since proposing the wall, Trump said that he envisioned the wall being transparent so that people on the US side wouldn’t be hit over the head when large sacks of drugs were tossed over it. Seriously.

For the organizers of the sixth annual Living Walls conference (happening Sept. 8-17), these comments are just the latest in what they consider a “provocative political climate.” That’s why this year, they’re leaving behind the street art festival format and to focus on process in the multicultural heart of Atlanta Buford Highway.

“With immigrants and many other groups under direct attack by the federal administration, Living Walls executive director Monica Campana saw the opportunity to invoke thoughtful discussion about these communities in joint partnership with community organization We Love BuHi’s Marian Liou,” explains Brooke Condrey, conference communications director.

For three months, nine national and local artists of color (including Atlanta-based Yoyo Ferro, Sanithna and Dianna Settles) will spend time with people who live and work along the Buford Highway corridor to grasp a better understanding of the spirit of the community. In turn, these artists will create art to appear along and as part of the BuHi Walk a public initiative borne out of the Buford Highway Master Plan that will help connect informal routes in the area. These pieces of public art will be available for viewing the last four days of the conference when the BuHi Walk is slated to open.

The aim for this year’s event is for attendees to leave with a better understanding of the power of social change via public space, Condrey says. “We envision a world where there is no divide between the public and public space; where communities’ engagement with their surroundings is fostered through a sense of ownership of their built environment. Conscientious, thought-provoking public art can be the facilitator for that dialogue and community engagement.”

Now through July 31, Living Walls is raising money to help produce the conference; the group’s goal is to raise $25,000, which will help pay the artists fair wages and cover supplies. For more information on how to donate, visit www.livingwallsatl.com/donate.