By Cindy Flynn | This fall, the large drab cinderblock building that protrudes onto Skin Alley in the center of Historic Norcross will blossom into a lively mural, designed to welcome and delight Norcross’ multicultural community and many visitors. Viewable from several vantage points in the city, the artwork will dramatically alter the Norcross visual experience.
Muralist Karl Addison
An international artist has been selected to produce a public art mural in Norcross. Chosen to produce the work by the Norcross Public Arts Commission (NPAC) is international artist Karl Addison, who will create the mural in September. Aiming to enhance Norcross’ continued growth as a vibrant, live-work-play community, the mural will serve as anchor of the Norcross’ Skin Alley ArtWay, with hopes of re-awakening an area into a creative hub that supports year-round global entertainment and cultural arts.
The ArtWay is inspired by the concept of ‘Art is a Way’ for artists and community members to lift each other up, start conversations, share stories, bridge differences and find common ground among Norcross multicultural community. NPAC plans to engage a wide range of artists in future projects to contribute to the ArtWay.
More than 40 applicants responded to an NPAC request for proposals. From Washington State and currently working out of Berlin, Germany, Addison’s creative talent is seen throughout North and Central America, Europe Russia, Japan, and South East Asia. He has worked on several murals in the Atlanta area including two on the Atlanta Beltline.
“For me, it is very interesting in the last few years to see towns and cities across the U.S. to really adopted and take on Post-Muralism as a means of public art,” said Addison. “The traditional murals have always been beautiful, and carried a strong community based message. But it is also refreshing to see contemporary painting and arts start to make their way to public space. My impression is that Norcross is seeing this as well, and taking part in the world wide conversation.”
Because the ArtWay project is designed to reach across generations and cultures in Norcross, community engagement is an essential element of the mural’s creative development. Addison will spend 10 days in the Norcross community from May 19 to 29.
Addison’s community engagement experiences will inform his design. He will submit up to three designs for public consideration before a final design is recommended by NPAC and approved by the City Council. The mural installation is scheduled to begin Sept. 6 and should take about a week to complete. NPAC will announce the dates and opportunities for public review in coming weeks.
The City of Norcross is funding the $15,000 project. The budget includes provisions for materials, community engagement, mural maintenance and artist fee. NPAC is also receiving significant technical support from the Atlanta Regional Commission, which assigned Keif Schleifer of KSDesign, a technical and architectural design firm that works with artists and communities in developing public art project, to consult with NPAC. Schleifer is providing key technical support and project coordination.
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