Living Walls took the city by storm in 2013, using mural art to promote, educate and change perceptions about public spaces. While Living Walls continues, it is obvious they are succeeding in their mission. Atlanta is evolving and so is her appreciation and love of the arts. Enjoy these six additional outdoor art installations around Atlanta to grow your perception, as well.
Tiny Doors ATL. Unless you're aware of Tiny Doors ATL, you might sail straight pass these little works of art, oblivious that you even missed them. There are currently nine Tiny Doors strategically placed throughout the city, (#5 is awaiting a new location right now) designed to bring surprise in your usual daily stroll. The first door at Krog Street Tunnel is proof that the small art outreach project is making a big impact on the community, with locals adding trinkets to the installation, such as a small Flying Biscuit to-go box and a miniature Atlanta Journal-Constitution. New installations pop up every month or two, the latest being a Tiny door with a tiny mural at the King of Pops walk-up window in Inman Park.
Outerspace Project. With an outdoor mural project at its core, Outerspace Project worked with local artists to enhance outdoor spaces and generate a positive vibe in the city. More than murals, the project merged art with live music, sports and more. The 2016 "season" is over but the mural projects remain in places around Atlanta. You'll find addresses for all 2016 murals on the website.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens. Discover an outstanding hideaway in Kennesaw called Smith-Gilbert Gardens. At least 30 sculptures adorn the grounds of Smith-Gilbert's 13+ garden rooms. See Tom Suomalainen's porcelain Transformation in the Perennial Garden or Two Indian Figures striding through the trees, constructed by John Payne– it's an intriguing representation of how adults might appear to children. While there, you can also enjoy the waterfall, bonsai garden and children's garden, which also includes whimsical art such as a Chihuly-inspired sculpture made from plastic bottles.
Playable Art Park. The Playable Art Park on the Abernathy Greenway in Sandy Springs provides the community an opportunity to appreciate art in a new way– by playing on it. It's the perfect way to inspire imagination in a tactile manner. Six sculptures by seven artists include The Big Imagine, swings made of steel tubing with no upper crossbar to obscure a view of the sky; Dragonfly, a larger than life multimedia structure with slides, climbing ropes and more; and It's You & Me, Kid, made of laser-cut granite in negative space, perfect for exploring or playing hide-and-seek.
Tiovivo. In the center of the Woodruff Arts Center campus on the Sifly Piazza, visitors are welcomed with Tiovivo, full name: Tiovivo: Whimsical Sculptures. Colorful wooden sculptures in familiar shapes call visitors, especially kids to climb and explore. As with all exhibitions on the Sifly Plaza, the art is free of charge. Bring a picnic and a friend, but hurry because they will twirl out of town Nov. 27, 2016.
Chihuly in the Garden. Dale Chihuly's amazing glass creations were first featured at the Garden in 2004. This time around there are 19 large-scale installations and all we have to say about them is go see them, and think about going after dark. Through Oct. 30, 2016.
