Atlanta Beltline Art Unveils 37-Foot “Quilts in the Sky,” Showcasing the Reach of Its Public Art Program and Atlanta’s Local ArtistsAtlanta Beltline Art Unveils 37-Foot “Quilts in the Sky,” Showcasing the Reach of Its Public Art Program and Atlanta’s Local Artists

Atlanta Beltline Art has added a new landmark to its developing 22-mile loop with the installation of “Quilts in the Sky,” a 37-foot-tall sculptural work by Atlanta artists Marryam Moma and Adana Tillman.

Positioned as an archway where the Southside Trail meets Pittsburgh Yards^®, “Quilts in the Sky” joins a growing collection of visual art and cultural experiences along the Atlanta Beltline corridor. The artwork also underscores the organization's long-standing approach to public art, one that brings artists into the development of the Beltline while creating opportunities for them to expand their practices.

For more than 16 years, Atlanta Beltline Art, the Beltline's official arts and culture program, has commissioned artists across disciplines to create and present work along the corridor, establishing one of the nation's largest temporary public art exhibitions. The program has grown alongside the Beltline itself. As new sections of the trail are completed and existing spaces evolve, artists contribute to how those places look and feel, with works informed by the histories, character and creative traditions of the surrounding neighborhoods.

“The Atlanta Beltline is demonstrating what equitable urban redevelopment can look like when arts and culture are part of the vision from the start,” said Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “We’re not just building trails and connecting neighborhoods. We’re creating public spaces that reflect the history, creativity and identity of the communities around them. Artists like Marryam Moma and Adana Tillman help bring that vision to life, turning infrastructure into places that inspire connection, invite discovery, and give people new ways to experience their city.”

“Quilts in the Sky” is the first major sculptural work to find its home on the Beltline's Southside Trail since its official completion in June 2026. The 1.9-mile section extends from Pittsburgh Yards^® to Boulevard, completing a continuous trail connection between the Beltline's east and west sides. The Southside Trail links neighborhoods including Peoplestown, Chosewood Park, Boulevard Heights, Capitol View Manor and the Villages at Carver.

For Moma and Tillman, the installation was designed with those neighborhoods and the people who use the trail in mind.

“From the beginning, we wanted this piece to represent joy,” said Moma. “We want it to be a place for gathering, to bring people together, to fellowship together, to simply choose to be together.”

Tillman was first awarded the commission in 2024 through Atlanta Beltline Art's annual open call for artists and she later partnered with Moma to develop the work. Measuring 37 feet by 15 feet, the sculpture brings together Tillman's textile and quilting practice with Moma's analog collage techniques. Colorful plexiglass pieces are arranged to resemble a traditional quilt, combining elements of both artists' practices in a three-dimensional installation.

The commission also marks an important step in the artists' professional journeys, both of which have included participation in Atlanta Beltline initiatives designed to help local creatives strengthen their businesses and pursue new opportunities.

Moma participated in the inaugural Beltline Business Ventures: Artists Edition cohort in 2024, while Tillman graduated from the program's second cohort in 2026. Developed in partnership with arts incubator TILA Studios, the accelerator provides Atlanta-area artists with business training and resources to expand their practices and prepare for opportunities, including large-scale public art commissions.

Moma was also among the first artists selected for the Atlanta Beltline x ArtWorks Porto Residency Program, a six-week international residency in Portugal focused on sculpture, fabrication and three-dimensional public art. Working alongside master fabricators, she gained hands-on experience with materials including fiberglass, resin and metal.

Bringing “Quilts in the Sky” from concept to installation required the artists to navigate the technical and logistical demands of large-scale public art. Following the design phase, they spent months assembling each piece. Artist and fabricator Antonio Darden supported fabrication, with Soco Contracting Company and Bonsai  assisting with installation.

“Working with the Beltline has been great,” Tillman said. “Being new to public works, there was a lot to learn about structural engineering, fabrication and how all of the schedules come together. That support really helped us bring the project to fruition.”

“Marryam and Adana each bring a distinct approach to ‘Quilts in the Sky,’ and this commission allowed them to explore their respective practices at a much larger scale,” said Amina Cooper, director of arts and culture for Atlanta Beltline. “Our responsibility extends beyond providing places for artists to show their work. We are also investing in opportunities that help Atlanta artists build the knowledge, experience and capacity needed to pursue ambitious public art projects here and beyond the Beltline.”

Moma and Tillman hope “Quilts in the Sky” will become the beginning of a larger series, with future installations similarly showcasing the distinctive identities of their locations.

“Our goal, our intention, is that there are many more quilts in the sky that are reflective of their unique placement in their communities,” Tillman said.

For more information on “Quilts in the Sky” and Atlanta Beltline Art, visit Beltline.org/art.

Approved images are here. “Quilts in the Sky” Artist Video: Link

This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly and funding from its partner agency – the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

Atlanta Beltline Art is made possible through public and philanthropic support. Patrons of the arts interested in bringing these and other iconic pieces to the Atlanta Beltline can do so through the Atlanta Beltline Partnership, the fundraising foundation for the Atlanta Beltline. For more information, contact development@atlblp.org or visit beltline.org/support.