East Atlanta, known for its quirky charm and llama sightings, is seeing an artistic transformation with the addition of several new murals throughout the neighborhood.
Home to a llama preserve and events like llama pub crawls and annual parades, East Atlanta embraces creativity and uniqueness, making it a vibrant canvas for local artists.
Recently, this eclectic neighborhood enhanced its reputation for street art with four notable mural projects added over the past year.
One significant event is the East Atlanta Strut, held on the fourth Friday of each September.
This festival celebrates the community’s cultural richness and unconventional spirit, featuring music, art, contests like llama poop bingo, and a festive parade.
Michelle Rice, the Strut organizer and Secretary of the East Atlanta Community Association, partnered with local artist Chris Makes Art (real name Chris Wright) and building owner Joe Seymour to revitalize a prominent corner at Glenwood Ave and Flat Shoals Ave.
Once plagued by unsightly graffiti, the building is now adorned with a captivating collection of murals in time for the 2024 Strut.
Chris, known for a previous Strut t-shirt design, enlisted fellow artists to contribute, resulting in an explosion of color and creativity across the facade without a specific overarching theme.
Among the contributing artists, Leah Abucayan, known as Hella Leah, showcased her unique art style by painting her French Bulldog and Boston Terrier mix, Pepe.
Eric Nine, who created a two-part mural series for the event, wrapped up his feature with a ballerina coming to terms with her new vampire identity.
Skape Zilla brought a dynamic and steampunk-inspired figure to life in his mural, while Matt Letrs and Classy Streetz filled the upper level with vibrant graffiti and a giant spider, respectively.
Nick ‘Turbo’ Benson stayed on theme with a colorful llama mural depicting the animal’s playful nature, complete with spit rendered in bright blue paint.
Chris Makes Art also offered a glimpse into the future of the building, soon to house Churchill Grounds Jazz Club, with a mural featuring a saxophone player entertaining an appreciative crowd.
Two underwater scenes illustrating Atlanta landmarks were presented by fine artist Liz Webb, enhancing the neighborhood’s artistic appeal.
In addition, ABV Gallery sponsors the Outerspace Project, a yearly initiative since 2015 that introduces around 16 new murals to Atlanta.
The event also features a Big Bang Block Party with music, live painting, and even extreme sports demonstrations.
In November 2024, the Outerspace Project found a home for 14 out of 17 new murals in East Atlanta, reinforcing the neighborhood’s dedication to art and creativity.
Greg Mike, founder of ABV Gallery, expressed excitement over focusing their efforts in East Atlanta, prioritizing collaboration with the community and respecting existing storied artworks.
Among the recent additions, Ally Grimm’s monochromatic mural at Dance 411 Studio draws inspiration from the rhythm and flow of human movement, adding to the dynamic artistic landscape.
Chris Veal’s retro-pop mural located behind 470 Flat Shoals Avenue critiques our complex relationship with technology, featuring a human embracing an android in an unexpected interaction.
Drew Borders’ joyful mural, positioned behind 465 Flat Shoals Avenue, conveys the message of preventing darkness from overshadowing one’s inner light through a colorful and optimistic design.
Max Sansing’s mural at 1358 Glenwood Avenue captures vivid colors while concealing a key, a symbol he frequently includes to represent unlocking potential.
Another notable project in the area is the Community Over Competition mural beside 485 Flat Shoals Avenue, created by Eric Nine.
After another project fell through, Eric sought to revitalize his spirit and career, leading to this collaborative community effort.
Following a conversation with King “Fresh” Shands, who wanted to refresh the side of his East Atlanta Treehouse building, Eric conceived his mural portraying a young African American ballerina, a representation of diversity against the backdrop of art.
Uncle Bree built upon this initiative by presenting her mural of everyday community members depicted as tribal figures, further celebrating local heritage.
This collaboration echoed the importance of representation and community connection, as seen in the reaction of a young girl who saw her likeness in Eric’s ballerina mural.
The wall also features contributions from Chris Makes Art, showcasing a somber moment that invites audience interpretation, and Skape Zilla’s striking snake intertwined with pink hibiscus flowers painted by Lacey Longino, promoting expressive and flowy details.
Nicole Merizalde’s piece celebrates her Greek heritage with a depiction of an ancient statue, while Pato Muñoz Vázquez presents characters from separate worlds united by spirit.
Thomas Ross painted his debut mural, featuring a mushroom symbolizing freedom and insight, reflecting personal meaning and significance.
Meanwhile, ABV Gallery has transitioned into its expansive new location at 1206 Metropolitan Avenue, transforming a renovated church into an art hub.
The gallery’s latest phase includes converting the back parking lot into a mural park, revitalizing the space with new artistic endeavors.
In June 2024, ABV held a live painting event featuring ten notable muralists working on a new 130-foot-long mural wall, creating a community atmosphere and engaging local talent.
Greg Mike emphasized his belief that art should extend beyond gallery walls, thriving within everyday surroundings that everyone can enjoy.
As they continue developing this open-air mural park, they intend for rotating artists to keep the displays fresh and engaging, showcasing works throughout the year.
These ten murals will remain until September, being refreshed with new artwork just before the 2025 East Atlanta Strut, providing ongoing inspiration for locals and visitors alike.
East Atlanta’s continued artistic evolution presents a compelling reason for exploration, especially with its vibrant restaurants, live music venues, boutique shops, and pop-up markets.
The neighborhood is also gearing up for the group exhibition at ABV Gallery titled Locals Only, featuring over 80 Atlanta artists, running from June 21 through July 13.
In a city famed for its arts and culture, East Atlanta makes its mark with its unique blend of llamas and street art.
For those who haven’t wandered through the area lately, the recent mural additions and the community spirit exemplified during events like the East Atlanta Strut make it a lively destination for art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
image source from：https://www.artsatl.org/east-atlantas-street-art-collection-expands-with-four-recent-installations/
