A few years ago, we moved to Atlanta. We decided to live in Ponce City Market — a “live, work, play” space near the center of Atlanta. Ponce City Market sits on the Atlanta Beltline — a 20ish-mile interurban trail that will connect Atlanta’s central core when it is completed in a few years. One of the reasons we chose to move to Atlanta was the “walkability” provided by the Beltline. One of the reasons we decided to live in Ponce City Market was its location on the Beltline.

We have lived in Atlanta for almost 4 years and bought a house on the Beltline two years ago. I have explored most of its nooks and crannies. I have celebrated when new sections open, participated in races that occur on its busy thoroughfare, marveled at the trees, and paid attention to the flow of its public art.

I documented the Beltline’s public art collection on my blog a few years ago. It contains sculptures, murals, performances, and experiences. I have not been able to experience it I recent months. I had surgery on my left foot last week, and my drive to get back outside on the Beltline — pain-free — is one of the motivating forces for my recovery.

I have decided to revisit my Beltline posts to take virtual walks while my foot heals. Part inspiration, part peace-of-mind, part encouragement, mostly to survive the boredom, fear, and pain I am currently sitting with while I look outside my window. My foot, and world, are messed up. I want to get outdoors and walk to make sense of it. This is how I can do that right now.

For the next while, I will take us on a virtual Friday Beltline walk. I will highlight a few pieces of art and share a few reflections. I hope it feels like a deep breath we can take together. I hope it feels like light at the end of our collective tunnel. I hope it feels like finding beauty in the human spirit shared by these artists. I hope it feels like being part of a bigger story of nature and Gods and steel and community.

Forward Warrior, Janice Rago

I have needed to hear this message lately. I have needed to surround myself in strength and beauty and press on. The world right now feels so hard. It is hard to fix our gaze on anything other than pain and suffering, even though fixing our gaze on the good while we live through the hard together might be our surest path to peace.

One In All, Grace Kisa and Ellex Swavoni

One In All celebrates the Egyptian God, Ma’at. Thank you Ma’at for reminding me of order and balance. Thank you Ma’at for being both the sun and moon. Thank you Ma’at for celebrating the beauty of impermanence. Thank you Ma’at for ordering my steps toward truth and justice. Thank you Ma’at for singing a song of harmony and dissonance. Thank you Ma’at for expanding my world to include the strength of goddesses and the breadth of civilizations.

Just a girl, her cat, and a good book, Jessica Locklar

Meaning is always in the details. We are multitudes. We are warriors and goddesses, readers and animal lovers, yellow and red, up and down, strong and weak, fantasy and reality. I like to think that murals can be windows into other spaces, our dream selves, a world of big love and community.

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