As you navigate the vibrant scenery of Atlanta, particularly along the Beltline, it’s hard to overlook the striking murals that inject life and color into the cityscape.
The Atlanta Beltline stands out as one of the largest temporary public art exhibits in the area, showcasing the creativity of various artists, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community.
One notable work along the Eastside Trail belongs to Lisette Correa, known as ARRRTADDICT.
Her mural on the Edgewood Avenue Bridge, part of the Taino series titled “Somos Borincanos,” serves as a tribute to her grandmother while celebrating her Caribbean roots.
Correa’s artistic message resonates deeply: “To be grounded in who we are today, we must first remember our roots.”
In East Atlanta’s Pullman Yards, Lasalle, a Black queer artist, has created a mural titled “Everything 2 Me,” which speaks directly to the Black LGBTQIA+ community.
Lasalle’s art is a personal reflection of his life experiences, relationships, and emotions, effectively giving a voice to a vibrant yet often marginalized segment of society.
Furthermore, Krista M. Jones, known as JONESY, contributes to this outdoor gallery with her signature vibrant, symbolic murals.
JONESY’s public artworks aim to transform overlooked urban areas into joyous spaces filled with color and pattern, encouraging viewers to engage meaningfully with their surroundings and one another.
One of her notable pieces, FLORA III, is located at The Beacon in South Atlanta, part of her FORMATIONS series, which showcases similar themes across various neighborhoods in Atlanta.
In addition to her murals, JONESY has also created three-dimensional sculptures displayed at the Five Points MARTA station, further adding to her impactful presence throughout the city.
Within the diverse artistic tapestry of Atlanta, Maite Nazario, a queer Latinx artist originally from Guatemala, stands out with murals that celebrate queer love and community.
Their work includes a mural on the Atlanta Beltline’s Northeast Trail that is part of the #OurLove series, which features local queer couples of color and intertwines personal narratives with themes of identity and activism.
Another powerful artistic voice is Jasmine Nicole Williams, a Black, Southern, femme artist, who uses her art to honor the resilience of Black women.
Her mural at the Plaza Theatre Complex emphasizes the importance of self-identification and encourages individuals to stand proudly in their authentic identities.
Likewise, the artist SOFAHOOD portrays the experiences of marginalized communities through a mural on Edgewood Avenue that celebrates Black queer individuals in moments of closeness, set in a dreamy envisioning of Atlanta.
Nicole Merizalde, or “ZaldePaints,” infuses her work with inspiration from her culturally diverse background.
Her dream-like murals feature Colombian flora and fauna, regional myths, and expressions that capture the beauty of cultural and ethnic multifacetedness.
No discussion of LGBTQIA+ art in Atlanta would be complete without mentioning the famed Rainbow Crosswalk at the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Midtown.
This vibrant symbol of pride and diversity is a favorite backdrop for photos, especially during the annual Atlanta Pride Parade, reinforcing Atlanta’s commitment to inclusivity through art.
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