Public Art Commission approves Chinatown mural concept, recommends $10,000 grant to city council

The Chamblee Public Art Commission voted unanimously Feb. 26 to recommend a $10,000 mural grant for a proposed public-facing mural at Atlanta Chinatown, endorsing a koi-to-dragon concept pending final sketches and required city documentation.

Andrew Blooms, who identified himself as the art director for Atlanta Chinatown, presented renderings and said his goal is "to contemporize what also is traditional there," citing koi and peony imagery that would evolve into a dragon motif along the facade. Commissioners discussed three possible locations – an interior courtyard tile mural, a facade next to the Oriental Pearl restaurant, and a public-facing wall on New Peachtree Road – and focused the recommendation on the wall with octagonal windows that offers greater street visibility.

Commission staff noted the commission's maximum grant is $10,000 and the annual public-arts allocation is $50,000, which typically allows roughly five full-size grants at the maximum amount. Commissioner Jeremy Gibbs moved to approve the grant and the concept for the New Peachtree–facing wall "pending on approval of art concept, art drawings, renderings," and Commissioner Elmer Vyse seconded. The motion passed unanimously; staff will forward the recommendation to the March city council meeting with a stipulation that final supporting documents be completed beforehand.

Tanisha, the city arts liaison, told the commission that final sign-off on artwork is handled administratively: "the final sign off would be by the arts manager and the city manager," and that the commission would review and provide feedback on the final sketch by email before work begins. The applicant confirmed he will prepare final renderings for review.

Next steps: staff will present the recommended grant and concept to the March city council agenda, and the city manager and arts manager will have authority to approve final artwork after the commission supplies input.