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East Point parks and public‑art coordinator outlines murals, festivals and new programs
Summary
Parks and Recreation staff and public‑art coordinator Chris Swain presented a summary of murals and cultural events, thanked corporate and community partners and previewed fall and summer programming including a bottle‑tree sculpture, Elevated Rhythms, Latin jazz/Salsa events and expanded summer camp art activities.
City parks and recreation staff delivered a public‑arts and cultural‑affairs update during the May 5 meeting.
Director Pickett introduced Chris Swain, public‑art coordinator, who described recent mural installations and partnerships that the city says cost the city nothing. Swain publicly thanked Microsoft employees Jonathan and Jazette for contributing to a set of murals and said the city surprised and honored longtime community leader Joseph Hextall by unveiling a mural of him with family present. Swain also noted a mural honoring Celia Cruz and attendance from family members of civil‑rights leader Ralph David Abernathy.
Swain reviewed recurring and upcoming events: the indigenous peoples’ “Standing Peace Tree” festival (moved from August to October for cooler weather and traditional wear); the Latin jazz concert and a mash‑up event “Salsa in the City” planned May 24 on the City Hall front lawn to mark what would have been Celia Cruz’s 100th birthday; Elevated Rhythms (an outdoor art‑meets‑health music event that organizers say attracts intergenerational audiences and visitors from outside the region); “Day of the Dead” programming; Exhale (a restorative program that uses sound bowls and harpists and has filled this council chamber); and a community sculpture — a metal “bottle tree” by artist Corina Sephora — planned for Norman Berry Drive with a target around Juneteenth.
Swain said the city is working to expand public‑art across all wards, including wrapping utility boxes beyond the downtown core so art reaches every neighborhood. He also said art programming will be incorporated into the city’s summer camp for children ages 6–12.
Director Pickett credited partners including MARTA for providing a Black History Month “rap bus” to transport residents to mural sites at no cost and thanked East Point Housing Authority for permitting parking for events. Swain also thanked volunteer and corporate partners who supported events at no city expense.
No council vote was required for the presentation. Several council members asked for a public master calendar of events; Swain said staff are working on a consolidated calendar for residents. Council members commended the team for appearances that have helped make East Point a destination for visitors, and discussed expanding wrap projects to other wards.
