Woodruff Park is set to become a rotating outdoor gallery. Arts & Entertainment Atlanta (A&E) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) are teaming up on ART IN THE PARK, a program of free, interactive installations that will change over the course of a year, with the first works arriving this fall.
The lineup draws on both local and international artists, and two opening pieces already have target months on the calendar.
Taino Night Glow, October 2024
The first piece comes from Puerto Rican muralist ARRRTADDICT, working with Dashboard. Taino Night Glow is a lit, multi-layered mural whose imagery of abstract flowers, plants and playful patterns takes its inspiration from the El Yunque rainforest, and it is meant as a celebration of Indigenous Caribbean culture.
ARRRTADDICT said the goal was a space that ties visitors back to cultural roots. "This installation is an homage to the resilience of Caribbean Indigenous culture and the power of storytelling through art," the artist said, adding a hope that it turns into "a space for dialogue, connection, and understanding of the stories that have shaped our Caribbean heritage."
Los Trompos, November 2024
A month later, Los Trompos, or "Spinning Tops," is scheduled to follow. The work is by Mexican artists Esrawe + Cadena and is presented in collaboration with Creos. It features large, brightly colored tops that people can spin, made as woven fabric structures rooted in traditional Mexican craftsmanship, and it is designed with families in mind, encouraging people to play together.
The piece has been to Atlanta before. "We're thrilled to bring Los Trompos back to Atlanta," Esrawe + Cadena said, describing the installation as one people of every age can engage with physically and as a group. "Los Trompos is designed to unite people through play and creativity," they said.
Why it matters to Downtown
Nancy Zintak, who leads communications and engagement for Central Atlanta Progress, framed the series as one piece of a larger push. "These installations are part of a broader effort to ensure Downtown Atlanta remains a thriving cultural center," Zintak said.
For Noa Hecht, who heads creative placemaking at ADID, the program is as much about the park itself as the art in it. "This initiative is about more than just art—it's about transforming public spaces, building community, and making the arts accessible to everyone," Hecht said. Hecht also pointed to the program's role in promoting, funding and supporting both local and international talent.
More programming is planned to continue through the year after the opening installations. Updates on ART IN THE PARK and other Downtown events are posted at AtlantaDowntown.com.
Reported by Rough Draft Atlanta.
