Preserving Atlanta's Canvas: Art Conservation Along the Beltline

As spring sunlight filters through the trees along the Atlanta Beltline, Jeremee Prioleau carefully examines a mural, assessing areas where weather exposure and time have begun to take their toll. For the past four years, this artist-turned-conservator has been a quiet guardian of the Beltline's extensive public art collection, preserving not just materials, but the cultural expressions that have become integral to Atlanta's neighborhoods. 

"Bringing something back to life is what's the most fulfilling thing about it," explains Prioleau, whose journey to art conservation began unexpectedly. After college, a chance meeting with Camille Russell Love from the Office of Cultural Affairs led to an internship in arts administration. There, under the guidance of Shannon Kimbro, he discovered his passion for conservation.  

"I was just drawn to it being an artist myself," Prioleau recalls. "Getting to go outside and work on these legendary pieces of art made by these legendary artists was very fulfilling." Since joining the Beltline team in 2021, his days involve traversing the trails, cataloging artwork, and determining how to best preserve each piece. 

Respect for the original creators is central to Prioleau’s process. Before restoring any piece, he contacts the artist. "I try to get their information and let them know I'm a conservator," he says. These conversations often include technical details about paint and materials to ensure the restoration aligns with the artist’s original vision. 

As Prioleau walks the Beltline, he sees how the artwork transforms the corridor into an immersive cultural experience. "Seeing art publicly has this ability of transporting you away from everyday normalcy," he explains. "Even when you can't go to Atlanta Contemporary or the High Museum, you can just take a stroll in your backyard and see all this amazing art–the voices of all these different people in your community right there on the wall or in a sculpture."  

These works often serve as community landmarks, becoming a part of daily life. “They become ingrained in the community and part of people’s memories,” he notes. That connection fosters a sense of ownership, with residents often serving as informal stewards who help protect the art around them. 

Through Prioleau’s care, the Beltline’s public art collection continues to thrive– celebrating diverse voices and keeping these creative expressions a lasting part of Atlanta’s landscape for years to come.