Maryland based artist, Steven Weitzman, has been commissioned by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program to create a Historic Walk in the West End Atlanta community. The artwalk, constructed of full-color FOTERA structural concrete murals and specialty pavers, will be inserted into the north sidewalk on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard between Lee and Lowery Streets. Stretching nearly the length of two football fields, the artwalk will tell the story of the West End community.

Community Participation

On May 1, 2010, the Public Art Program held a workshop open to all West End residents. At this workshop, neighborhood historians, business owners, association representatives and concerned community members reviewed Mr. Weitzman's project proposal and provided the artist with insightful feedback. In addition to providing historically accurate West End history, they suggested the inclusion of significant events in the areas history that may have otherwise been over looked.

Weitzman Studios has spent the last few months re-designing the Historic Walk to reflect the accurate history and suggestions of the local community. The images shown here are the updated images developed with the community input.

Overview of Historic Walk Panels

The following is a list of the themes for the Historic Walk. They are listed in their current order, from the Lee Street/RDA Boulevard intersection to the RDA Boulevard/Lowery Boulevard intersection.

Plaza Panel: Original White Hall tavern and Inn
Panel 1: “West End - White Hall Historic Walk 1999” marker, highlighting West End’s designation in the National Registry of Historic Places
Panel 2: MARTA
Panel 3: West End Restoration Project
Panel 4: West Hunter Baptist Church
Panel 5: Joseph E. Brown School
Panel 6: Invention of the Automobile and the development in the West End
Panel 7: St. Anthony’s Catholic Church
Panel 8: Wrens Nest
Panel 9: West End Fire Station and the 1894 Annexation
Panel 10: Historic Trolley
Panel 11: Hammonds House
Panel 12: Creation of three primary schools: 1) Atlanta Baptist Seminary, 2) Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, and 3) Atlanta University
Panel 13: The Railroad and Origins of White Hall
Panel 14: Trail of Tears
Panel 15: “West End - White Hall Historic Walk 1835” marker, highlighting original White Hall tavern

About FOTERA

Using a proprietary process invented by Steven Weitzman, Weitzman Studios, Inc. creates precast or cast-in-place terrazzo. Aggregate, cement and pigment are cast into forms to create three-dimensional or two-dimensional surfaces. This work can be incorporated into a floor or a wall, indoors or outdoors. Eliminating expensive border materials allows for a more economical and efficient process that can be utilized in outdoor environments, which historically was not possible.