Forging New Forms: Atlanta Artists Return from Transformative Porto Residency

Earlier this year, Atlanta-based artists Charity Hamidullah and Marryam Moma traveled to Portugal for the Atlanta Beltline x Porto Artworks Residency Program, a six-week initiative hosted by the Beltline and ArtWorks, a renowned Portuguese art production studio.

The residency, which offered hands-on training in sculpture, fabrication, and three-dimensional storytelling, was born out of feedback from Atlanta-based visual artists who felt there was a lack of skills training available for those looking to move to public works. The two participating artists were both graduates from the inaugural Beltline Business Ventures: Artists Edition cohort, a 9-week accelerator program also aimed at helping fill that gap.

Learning, experimenting, and developing as artists were priorities during the residency. During their six-week visit, Hamidullah and Moma worked alongside master fabricators and got first-hand experience using materials like fiberglass, resin, and metal. They also took part in curated visits to local museums, landmarks, and art infrastructure pieces to get exposure to European art-making and cultural dialogue.

“My time [during the residency] has profoundly shifted how I see, feel, and move through my artistic practice.” Hamidullah said. “Rooted in themes of self-construction and narrative building, my work has long centered on personal storytelling. But through this residency, I’ve discovered new materials, new processes, and new roles I can play in the creation of my work.”

“I can be both delicate and strong—fragile and resilient—just like fiberglass,” Moma added.

By investing in local talent through programs like this and Beltline Business Ventures: Artists Edition, the Beltline is strengthening Atlanta’s identity as a cultural hub and reinforcing the role public art plays in shaping inclusive, inspiring urban spaces.

“Arts and culture are central to our organizational ethos, and we believe that includes fostering artist development and cross-cultural dialogue,” said Atlanta Beltline, Inc.’s President and CEO Clyde Higgs. “This was a unique opportunity for our residency artists to expand their practice from 2D works to 3D while engaging with international peers... Charity and Marryam are exemplary representations of Atlanta’s dynamic arts scene, and we’re glad the Porto community was able to benefit from their exposure to them as well.”

Equipped with an enriched skillset for large-scale public art, the artists returned with a commitment to sharing their newfound knowledge with other local artists and putting it into practice as they continue to make art for Atlanta and beyond.