In collaboration with Art on the Atlanta Beltline, Arbitrary Living presents Friends and Neighbors event series. Friends and Neighbors is a mini boutique festival and day party celebrating southern hospitality, public art and creative commerce at Historic Fourth Ward Park Outdoor Theater and Meadow. The next edition of the event is on Sunday, July 14th from 4-10pm. Our day fest begins in the afternoon sun and then winds down into a lush evening in the garden.
Inspired by getting to know your neighbors, the overarching goal is to celebrate and bridge community between diverse groups through art, food, music and wellness engagements. Friends and Neighbors attendees are everyday people.
The location of F&N was chosen with intention. In Old Fourth Ward there is still a sense of mystery and uncomfortability between established and new residents. The gentrification of this neighborhood is based on color lines, racial dynamics and transportation.
Our intent is to use this performance art pop up to bring people together from all backgrounds in green spaces with an intentional focus on amplifying and connecting women, nonbinary, black and POC creatives and entrepreneurs. As well as informing the conversation from our lens as marginalized creators.
“I am passionate about us getting back outside, getting into nature and getting in touch with our spirit and what our bodies need.” says Quianah Upton the founder of Arbitrary Living and #ChopItUpATL, “We are hoping that being invited to play and meet in green space serves as a bridge to community engagement and fun.”
Art on the Atlanta BeltLine strives to create welcoming and inclusive art experiences for all. Now in its tenth year, the exhibition has grown to be the largest temporary, outdoor public art display in the south. The year-long exhibition includes performances, sculptures, murals, concerts, festivals, special exhibits, pop-up experiences, and collaborations – all of which are free to the public.
“Our work serves to connect people and uplift the existing culture of Atlanta BeltLine communities,” said Miranda Kyle, Arts and Culture Program Manager at Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “Events like the Friends and Neighbors Day Fest line up perfectly with our goals of equity, inclusion, and community.”
On July 14th we invite the community to join us for the second Friends and Neighbors. We’ll have yoga from 4-5pm along with a pop up market and food vendors such as The Fry Trap and 95th St Tacos as well as an arts and crafts activity table by ArtsATL and a photo booth art installation by EarGarden. Our sounds will be provided by Dell Harris, SAY3 and JSPORT.
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About Arbitrary Living:
Arbitrary Living was founded as a vintage and handmade housewares retail organization in 2013. They began event production as well as creating art installations and curated markets with colorful and distinct pieces in 2014 and quickly made a name for ourselves. To keep up with demand, they founded Arbitrary Living Agency offering skills in social media, branding, art installations and event production in 2018.
About #ChopItUpATL:
#ChopItUpATL creates space for nourishing gatherings around social justice and dialogue, as well as events that serve to gather diverse community together in green spaces.
About Art on the Atlanta BeltLine
Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is largest temporary public art exhibition in the history of Atlanta. It showcases the work of hundreds of visual artists, performers, and musicians along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor. This spectacular project places working professionals alongside emerging artists, and draws residents and visitors into some of the most unique public spaces in the City of Atlanta, providing powerful new perspectives on the city and its vibrant neighborhoods. The exhibition showcases how art strengthens and beautifies current and former industrial areas and creates signature spaces exemplifying the transformation of the city through the Atlanta BeltLine. Art on the Atlanta BeltLine touches almost 20 intown communities.
Media contact: chopitupatl@gmail.com
