Local Artist, David Landis, to Create Sculpture for West End Community

 Atlanta, Georgia, June 22, 2009:  Trees Atlanta announced the selection of Mr. David Landis today as the first artist for the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum. The Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum is a proposed “outdoor living tree museum” around the Atlanta BeltLine, a 22-mile loop of greenspace, trails, transit, and new development along historic rail segments that encircle Atlanta’s urban core.

The Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum will provide an opportunity for citizens of and visitors to Atlanta alike to learn about tree identification and the benefits of trees and to simply enjoy nature.

 Mr. Landis was selected from a field of twenty artists to create a sculpture representing the first of fourteen tree and plant collections, or Natural Neighborhoods, along the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum.  The collection is named “Warehouse Row” Natural Neighborhood and its theme is designed to be a landscape in motion. Landis’ sculpture will be installed at Rose Circle Park in the West End Community of Atlanta, located at 765 Peeples Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30610.  The project is funded by a grant to Trees Atlanta from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and expected to be installed by February 2010.

 “I have to say that I was very excited about getting the project,” said Landis.  “I truly believe in the missions of Trees Atlanta and the BeltLine.   This city would not be what it is without its tree canopy, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help honor the cause.  It is my aim to create a sculptural experience that will complement beautiful Rose Circle Park, and offer a place for reflection, interaction, and education…an art work that will not only be a rewarding experience to the one time visitor but also will remain vital and interesting to the community, provoking new meditations with each encounter,” concluded Landis.

Landis received his undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia and a Masters of Fine Art in Sculpture from Georgia State University.  He has taught a variety of art forms at Georgia State University and the Spruill Center for the Arts.  His work is on display in Minneapolis, MN; Albany, GA; Toulouse, France; and throughout Metro Atlanta.  One of his most recognizable pieces locally is the Butterfly Pavilion at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. 

 Trees Atlanta, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., West End Neighbors and others will celebrate Landis’ selection at a community reception on Thursday, July 9^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Hammond House, 503 Peeples Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30310.  The event is free and open to the public.  Landis intends to gather memories about trees and the West End community to inspire his sculpture design. City Council Representative, Cleta Winslow, is expected to attend the event and has been a strong supporter of the project.

 

 

For more information about the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum and its design, please contact Greg Levine at greg@treesatlanta.org or visit www.treesatlanta.org.  

 

About Trees Atlanta

 

Trees Atlanta is a nationally recognized citizens group that protects and improves Atlanta’s urban forest by planting, conserving and educating.  Since 1985, Trees Atlanta has planted and distributed more than 75,000 trees and engaged a volunteer corps of 3,500 citizens.  For more information about Trees Atlanta or the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, visit www.treesatlanta.org or contact 404-522-4097.