The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) announced the 2019 lineup of exhibitions, events, and community activities for the city’s annual public art festival, ELEVATE, which will be hosted in the historic Pittsburgh neighborhood from Monday, Oct. 14, to Saturday, Oct. 19.
This year, the City of Atlanta has teamed up with the curatorial team from the African Diasporic Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA) to present a number of exhibitions featuring artists from across Atlanta.
Monday, October 14th will mark the opening of the newly redesigned Pyramid Grocery Food Store, a cultural cornerstone of the Pittsburgh neighborhood. The grocery store has undergone an interior makeover to emphasize its focus on community access to fresh fruits and vegetables redesigned by a group of local artists Chloe Floyd, Katina Benenate, Lamont Rudolph, and Alison Hamil. The exterior of the store will also feature decorative murals from artists Kimberly Binns with Tracy Murrell, Charmaine Minniefield, and Fabian Williams.
The festival will install a variety of murals across the Pittsburgh neighborhood. In Pittman Park, community inspired murals by Corey Barksdale will be featured on picnic tables, benches, the pavilion, and grill. 1029 McDaniel Street, previously known as “The Pink Store,” will also receive a new inspirational mural by Charity Hamidullah. The OCA has also partnered with the Department of City Planning to install several mural bike racks in Pittman Park.
OCA has partnered with various local organizations to present a variety of community events during the week of ELEVATE for all ages.
Additional support from this year’s festival comes from Home Depot, Lifecycle Building Center, The Department of City Planning, The Department of Parks and Recreation, Carver STEAM Academy, Atlanta Music Project, France Atlanta, The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Alliance Theatre, The Mayor’s Summer Reading Club, and SHAPE.
For more festival information including a complete list of ELEVATE activations, artists, and full event schedule, visit www.elevateatlart.com.
ELEVATE: Pittsburgh’s Schedule of Events
Monday, October 14
Senior Storytelling Workshop with Sistah Olufani
Pittman Recreation Center
950 Garibaldi St.
12 pm
Seniors in the Pittsburgh community are invited to join Sistah Olufemi of Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia for interactive storytelling workshop that uses storytelling to explore human connections.
By educating community members on the power of storytelling, the workshop hopes to encourage Pittsburgh’s legacies residents to share their unique stories about themselves and the community to foster a stronger connection between the past and future of the community.
Tuesday, October 15
Suppressed: The Fight To Vote Documentary Screening + Panel Discussion
Pittman Recreation Center
950 Garibaldi St.
8 pm
ELEVATE: Pittsburgh explores how political disenfranchisement impacts our communities with a special screening of the short film “Suppressed: The Fight to Vote”. After the screening, join us at the Pittman Park Recreation Center for a panel discussion with The New Georgia Project where we will discuss the power of voting, help people register to vote, learn about the 2020 Census, and share information community resources and support.
Wednesday, October 16
The Last Black Man in San Francisco and Short Film Screenings
Pittman Park Pavilion
Garibaldi St & Delevan St.
6:30 pm
Movie night features the critically acclaimed film, “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”, a poignant story about gentrification as one young Black man struggles to hold on to the sense of belonging in the face of rapid change.
The screening also features two short films, “Grace” directed by Roni Nicole Henderson and “Black Girl Magic” by Kaylee Jade Warfield, that explore the theme of personal and cultural memory.
Accompanying the screenings will be the unveiling of new decorative murals by local artist Corey Barksdale.
Content Warning: This film is rated R for language, brief nudity, and drug use.
Thursday, October 17
Ways of Seeing Opening & Sacred Street Zine Release
1029 McDaniel St.
6 pm
“Ways of Seeing” is an interactive photo exhibit and Zine that imagines Pittsburgh through the eyes of existing community members, architects and photographers who reflect on the past while imagining a potential future of this once thriving intown neighborhood. Photography by Phil Winters, Ken West, and Michael Reese, Architectural renderings from NOMA and SHAPE, research from Dr. Richard C. Kelsey. In partnership with The Department of City Planning.
Thursday, October 17
Soundscape Concert featuring DJ Kemit
1029 McDaniel St.
6 pm
One of the greatest repositories of Cultural Capital can be found in the music of a community. Hosted in tandem with “Ways of Seeing,” Acclaimed DJ and Producer DJ Kemit mines his musical archives to take us on a journey of sound. From the 1930s to today, Kemit explores the impact Atlanta has had on Southern music. Enjoy the music while you take in the gallery exhibition and new murals by Charity Hamidullah.
Friday, October 18
Komansé Dance Theater Performance of Skid
Carver STEAM Academy Auditorium
55 McDonough Blvd.
7:30 pm
Komansé Dance Theater takes a provocative look at homelessness and gentrification in the metro Atlanta area and beyond in their riveting performance of SKID.
Content Warning: SKID engages serious social issues and includes some adult themes and language. Parental discretion is advised.
Friday, October 18
Silent Disco Featuring DJ Salah Ananse
Carver STEAM Academy
55 McDonough Blvd.
9 pm
After Komansé’s Performance, join us for our annual ELEVATE Silent Disco and curate your own specially design dance soundtrack featuring a mix from DJ Salah Ananse and two original playlists created exclusively for this event.
Saturday, October 19
ELEVATE Community Festival
Pittman Park
291 Delevan St.
12 PM
Join us for a day full of fun, art, and celebration. We kick off our annual ELEVATE Community Festival with a community mural project as Pittsburgh residents and supporters help Atlanta-based artist Corey Barksdale finish a mural dedicated to the community.
At 2 pm, join us for the opening of the Artist Market, featuring the Blackberry Arts Collective, and explore our free Book Fair.
Shortly afterward, settle into our Storytelling Pavilion featuring entertainment from the Atlanta Music Project, movies from Sweet Blackberry Films, and more.
Also, author Pearl Cleage will treat guest to a reading of her children’s book “In my Granny’s Garden”.
At 8 pm, We close the evening with a special 30th Anniversary Screening of Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” Content Warning: This film is rated R for language, brief nudity, and drug use.
This event is free and open to the public.
Community Mural
950 Garibaldi St.
1 pm
Artist Corey Barksdale and volunteers from the community will be finishing a mural. Lend a hand, learn painting techniques, and leave your mark.
Book Fair and Artist Market
Pittman Park Pavilion
Garibaldi St & Delevan St.
2 pm
Join us for a day of family fun in Pittman Park. Browse the Artist Market featuring the Blackberry Arts Collective and explore our free Book Fair.
Performances in The Park
Pittman Park Pavilion
Garibaldi St & Delevan St.
8 pm
End the night with a special screening of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing.
Content Warning: This film is rated R for language, brief nudity, violence, and drug use.
All schedule information, as well as a complete list of ELEVATE activities, artists, and more is available at www.elevateatlart.com.