04/15/2026
Two weeks ago, the Thriving Together Atlanta x BLVDNEXT activation transformed the former Atlanta Medical Center site into a living, breathing canvas. We debuted a large-scale construction wrap of our exhibition “20 Voices. 1 Shared Story,” featuring 20 of Atlanta’s leading artists, healers, and civic voices — captured by Iyahdae Art and curated by Next Atlanta CEO Faith Carmichael — that set the tone for a day of creativity and connection.
The Soul Brothers Djembe & Dundun Drummers opened with electrifying percussion, followed by powerful performances from poet Adán Bean and vocalist Bria Anai. Kymistri Wellness LLC helped ground and reset us with sound bowl healing, while a community mural led by Tracy Murrell and Marryam Brown of the Moma Murrell Collective came to life in real time — layer by layer, hand by hand, as neighbors added their mark.
A reimagined MARTA bus (designed by NEXT’s Cat Lee and Yana Lee-Fong) doubled as an intimate mobile gallery and, later, a stage for an immersive performance by Out of Hand — blurring the lines between movement, theater, and visual art in a way that captured the spirit of the Thriving Together Atlanta Mobile Art Experience. As the day closed, Adan and Bria returned for a joint performance — pulling everyone into a shared moment that was powerfully healing.
A huge thank you to our Thriving Together Atlanta partners — NBAF - National Black Arts, City of Atlanta - Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, MARTA, Out of Hand, and Bloomberg Philanthropies — and our hosts Wellstar Health System, , and BLVDNEXT, for showing up as true partners; for bringing art, storytelling and community into this space and so many others across our city — and for making moments like this possible.
📸: Terence Rushin and C Mitchell Studios LLC
