End the Exception

September 2nd, 2023
4pm @ 97 Estoria

IN THE NEWS:
ARTS ATL, “Today in Street Art:
Cabbagetown mural advocates for change
in 13th Amendment”

ABOLISH PRISON LABOR - END SLAVERY IN GEORGIA - ALL OF US OR NONE

*sign the petition*

13th Amendment of the US Consitution - Exception Clause

Download the artists introduction (PDF)

L-R: Preston Townsend, Sarah Corley, Amiti Bey

Poet Preston Townsend is a creative writer and the team leader. Here, the focus of the mural is his portrait and piercing gaze, and the personal Journey of Liberation. In his writing, Preston explores themes of self-awareness, fortitude, and choosing a path. As a coach and personal trainer, he uplifts those who seek his counsel, and instructs students by example.

Painter Sarah Corley is an accomplished visual artist and counselor. Her art therapy practice gives back to those with similar experience, sharing what she has gained with countless others. Sarah’s ability to guide is essential to her personal practice, unlocking potential and giving us new perspectives for contemplating our similarities.

Teacher Amiti Bey is an Academic, Thespian, and Master of Literature. He educates and enlightens, offering sage advice illuminated by a stunning command of symbolism, metaphor, and meaning. Decades spent in scholarly research informs his keen observations, broadened by unmatched knowledge of the human condition. Bey’s work helping pupils and colleagues translate their inner monologues into powerful performances lends him strength and insight, enriching those around him with his deep, knowing laughter.

Together, three unique & imaginative people will channel experience, imagination, and a cooperative spirit to create a new, powerful original artwork that engages the viewer with immediacy and an incredibly personal approach; Seeking to End the Exception Clause that perpetuates slavery in the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution. Cabbagetown Initiative is proud to coordinate with 97 Estoria to facilitate the installation, providing a vibrant, safe, and welcoming space for amplifying justice causes.

This national awareness campaign is led by the non-profit Worth Rises 501c3, and curated by Mural Arts Philadelphia across the nation in Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Jersey City, Los Angeles, and New York. Local prison reform advocacy organizers, All of Us or None (GA), faithfully represent Atlanta & beyond.

ARTIST PRESTON TOWNSEND LEADS THE TEAM WITH A RIVETING PERSONAL NARRATIVE

Mural Installation: A visceral confrontation will draw visitors into subject’s world, where we will find an intensely private invitation to further understand the struggles against adversity, and a route to victory. The center point is the artist’s eye, reflecting bonds broken. His hair obscures the left eye (or wrong path), but its growth represents bodily autonomy and freedom to thrive as an individual. An accompanying Artist Statement and Poem will be revealed during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Joining them on this journey are others with personal connections to confinement and coercion, who have also found stability and solace in the practice of making. Step inside their world and approach a new understanding of our continued call to seek true justice and meaningful reform.

WHAT WAS THE CREATIVE PROCESS? It all began with a proposal by Preston Townsend. Having been a Cabbagetown resident himself for a year or so, he was familiar with the area and its complex, vibrant energy. Preston developed the concept and submitted an image for consideration. Sarah Corley was selected for her skill with brushes and blending, plus her particular attention to fluid figures and active human forms. She also brought an enthusiasm and generous spirit that guided the transformation from concept to reality. Amiti Bey was invited to join the team and elevate the discussion, helping to explore universal truths that relate the personal experience to a larger context.

There were a few conference calls, Zooms, and a couple of lunches as the cohesive whole began to assume shape. Project Manager John Dirga generally helped coordinate meetings and conversation. He brought some equipment and installation experience along with the valuable assistance of intern Jamaali Roberts. However, Cabbagetown’s role was intentionally minimal, and the crew kept careful distance as the central trio made their own decisions about the artistic direction.

Continue reading below to learn about additional contributions from Juan Alexander and Paul Bracken.

INSTALLATION - August 2023

Phase One - What Lies Beneath

Juan Alexander is a professional tattoo artist with 20 years experience, and has been writing graffiti since childhood.

Juan plotted the iconic text that served as grid for the mural process. His style writing here recalls the subversive nature of hip hop's visual artform: both spontaneous and often criminal. Guiding Sarah's composition framework, and informing the spirit of the entire project, his contribution gives the piece and its process another secret layer. Hidden just beneath the surface, there is more waiting for those interested in discovering the whole truth.

ig: @Juan2_atlanta

Q: But wait… why would Juan do that, if you were just going to paint over it?
A: Sarah used it as a “Doodle Grid” to plot the mural (Click to learn more!)

Part of this project is having the courage to see things with new eyes, reflect on invisible purpose, and changing course. We must recognize what lies beneath. Of course, there’s also the symbolic act of destruction, renewal, rebirth, erasing injustice, and healing scars.

We took the structure of the statute and flipped the script. The abstract became functional in a very real sense. Replacing the words with a personal challenge is our way of enacting change! Let’s finally update the constitution and build momentum towards the goal: End the Exception

HOW IT WORKS: Superimposing the digital image onto the wall’s guidelines helps the painter map out the location of the facial elements.

9/2 - Labor Day Weekend.
Dedication Guest Speakers include Page Dukes, Luci Harrell, and, Tanika Nicholas, as well as performances by Gregory Turner and Amiti Bey.

After the Ribbon Cutting, join us for an encore performance by Dominique Harris, and a screening of "Working in Captivity: A Woman's Quest to End Slavery In Georgia" by filmmaker Waleisah Wilson.

Snacks provided by Chef Meeko of Down Home Southern Catering.

downhomesoutherncatering.com - @downhomesoutherncatering

BUFFING

Longtime Cabbagetown resident & professional house painter Paul Bracken was employed to buff the wall in preparation for this project. Paul last worked with us buffing the big wall for our 2020 Krog entrance mural in celebration of ATL1000.

At 97 Estoria, the previous mural on this surface was a beautiful black and golden trinity by E.L. Chisolm (@elcreativ.e) in her distinctive posterized style that recalls map making, stencil, and the political Aughts. In that commission, Erica explored the stories of strong Black women in arts, science, and leadership for a 2021 ad campaign sponsored by Revlon’s Creme of Nature, publicly expanding their commitment to natural hair through hiring BIPOC women artists. (https://cremeofnature.com/). Interestingly enough, Preston’s artist statement also addresses with Black hair, questions its ‘inconvenient’ history within the context of Capitalist systems, and reclaims its rightful crown.

SOCIAL LINKS (ig):
ALL OF US OR NONE (GA)
WORTH RISES - MURAL ARTS

Project Gallery

PROJECT APPLICATION PROCESS & ORIGINS
(includes archived materials)

#EndTheException

Worth Rises and Mural Arts of Philadelphia are proud to announce a national campaign to #EndTheException in the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution which still allows slavery as punishment for crime. In Georgia, local partners All of Us or None and the Cabbagetown Initiative will cooperate to empower a previously incarcerated person to install an outdoor mural that explores personal experiences with respect to liberty, strength, and self determination.

Thank you to the bold, dope, & woke at 97 Estoria for making space for justice and awareness. Follow us on Facebook @CabbagetownATL for details about Labor Day ribbon cutting, featuring special guests and information about Congressmember Nikema Williams’ leadership on the Bicameral Commission to Finally End Slavery.

ONE SHEET PDF