Fifty years ago, the City of Atlanta and Mayor Maynard Jackson announced a historic moment as Atlanta welcomed Lagos, Nigeria, as one of its first Sister Cities, starting a remarkable partnership between two vibrant communities. Atlanta mayor and U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young continued this legacy and worked to strengthen ties with Lagos, Africa’s largest city and one of the fastest-growing urban centers globally.
To celebrate this enduring cultural and civic bond, Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is hosting LagosAtlanta: Sister City Rising, a 10-week artist residency that will result in new pieces for the Westside Trail and become a highlight of the 2024 exhibition season. The exhibition was made possible thanks to Presenting Sponsors Jamestown and Ponce City Market.
Celebrated Lagos-based artists Taiye Idahor and Kainebi Osahenye have been chosen by exhibition creator Lauren Tate Baeza, who serves as the Fred and Rita Richman Curator of African Art for the High Museum of Art, known for its extensive Nigerian art collection.
“I’m pleased to present this project on the BeltLine —an important site for community engagement and reconnection in the City of Atlanta,” said Baeza. “The completed installations by Taiye Idahor and Kainebi Osahenye will join other important public works by Nigerian artists…that dot Atlanta’s public art landscape, providing the opportunity to connect those dots and commemorate a long history of creative engagement between the two geographies.”
The visiting artists arrived in Atlanta this week and have a slate of activities to look forward to during their stay, including visits to Atlanta cultural sites, meet-and-greets with local artists, and more. These events will allow the artists to interact with the local community and gain inspiration for their multi-media works.
Their visit will conclude with a public unveiling on Apr 27th, 2024.
For more details about the artists and the residency, click here.
