Elevate Art

ELEVATE
Roots, Renaissance and Renegades
Public art festival celebrating 50 years of hip-hop
Sep. 22 – Oct. 15, 2023

Celebrate 50 years of hip-hop with ELEVATE 2023 as Atlanta artists and influencers explore Atlanta’s extensive hip-hop community, Atlanta’s global impact on the genre and how hip-hop has influenced popular culture through fashion, visual arts, film and dance. The theme is Roots, Renaissance and Renegades, exploring the four elements of hip-hop – emceeing, deejaying, breakin’ and graffiti. “During this year’s Elevate Art we will present creative conversations, art exhibitions and installations, film screenings, DJ battles and interactive experiences focusing on Atlanta’s hip-hop legacy and our role in the future of the art form,” says Camille Russell Love, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. The city of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs’ vision is to enhance the quality of life through arts and culture and contribute positively to Atlanta and the region’s social and economic health. The mission is to promote rich, diverse, educational cultural experiences; nurture artists and arts organizations; preserve and protect the city’s cultural heritage; and expand Atlanta’s international reputation.

Experience Atlanta’s public art scene like never before

2023 Elevate Schedule

Hip-Hop Culture in Photography

This exhibition showcases women photographers and their documentation of hip-hop culture. Navigating a creative space whose predominant voice and face is male, these women bring their gaze and skill to the celebration and fray, capturing moments of passion, poetry and repose. From portraits, magazine exposés, concert performances, studio sessions and more, they take you on a journey from hip-hop’s past to its popular place in contemporary culture. There will be an opening reception Saturday, Sept. 23 from 2 until 5 p.m. that will include a panel discussion at 3 p.m. moderated by writer, journalist and cultural critic Ronda Penrice.

When: Sept. 23 – Oct. 28
Where: Gallery 72 @ 2 City Plaza (72 Marietta St. SW)

Graffiti Art: Tipsy Taggin’ With Antar Fierce.

Tipsy Taggin’ is an instructor-led graffiti art paint-and-sip-style class. This class takes the complex process of making art with spray paint and puts it into easy-to-follow steps while encouraging participants to mind their own creativity and apply it to their pieces. Experience in art-making is not necessary.

When: Sept. 29, 8 p.m.
Where: Best End Brewing, 1036 White St. SW

The Shonibare Sculpture Unveiling and Friday Vibe Art Walk with Centennial Yards Atlanta

Join us at the Centennial Yards Steele Bridge for the dedication of the new public artwork Wind Sculpture (IV) by British-Nigerian artist, Yinka Shonibare. This internationally significant public sculpture was acquired by the city of Atlanta to further its mission to offer diverse high-caliber artwork that is accessible to all. The Centennial Yards Friday Vibe arts walk will include live music, a community led mural with Alexandria Artistry, live painting with Jamie Calkin and a set from DJ Shabazz celebrating 50 Years of hip-hop.

When: Sept. 29, 5 p.m.
Where: The Centennial Yards Steele Bridge, 125 Ted Turner Drive SW

Architects Of Atlanta Hip-Hop

Architects of Atlanta Hip-Hop is an interactive panel discussion that will honor originators and creators of the Atlanta hip-hop culture we have come to know and love. Moderated by Talib Shabazz of Earwax Records, the discussion will be include DJ Toomp, DJ Wis and DC The Brain Supreme. They will discuss how they took cues from the DJs from New York City and Los Angeles and incorporated their own style that was distinct to Atlanta.

When: Sept. 30, 6 pm.
Where: Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW

Stay Productive

Stay Productive is an annual gathering of some of the finest Atlanta hip-hop producers and special guests. Producers stand on stage at once and take turns offering their best beats to each other and the crowd. It’s not for money, it’s for the props. Come along with us on a journey into sound. Hosted by Fort Knox, Stay Productive features resident producers Day Tripper, DJ Nervex, Dr. Conspiracy, Floyd the Locsmif, Illastrate, Lex Boogie, Yamin Semali and more.

When: Oct. 6, 9 p.m.
Where: 529 Bar, 529 Flat Shoals Ave. NE

Hip-Hop Saved My Life

As a culture, hip-hop is far more than the glitz and glamor that the media portrays. From block to block, the healing ways that hip-hop shows up in our lives can be overlooked. Hip-Hop Saved My Life offers hope for a better way. In a discussion moderated by Shanti Das, creator of Silence the Shame, b-boy King Quic, MC A.O.S., graffiti artist Antar Fierce and community advocate Minister Server wax poetic about the ways that hip-hop allowed them to face their inner (and outer) turmoil with courage.

When: Oct. 15, 2 p.m.
Where: Gallery 72, 72 Marietta St. NW

The Atlanta Classic

Whether you yeek or do the Bankhead bounce, wobble your head and rag top, or decide to walk it out, there’s one thing you cannot deny when it comes to Atlanta’s hip-hop: We know how to get our bodies moving. Come celebrate the last party of ELEVATE 2023 by doing what we do best in Atlanta: DANCE. With a soundtrack for the evening provided by DJ Toomp, DJ Kizzy Rock, DJ Sean Falyon and Lady Marauder, we will celebrate every era of music that put Atlanta on the map. Hosted by 4-Ize.

When: Oct. 15, 8 p.m.
Where: MJQ Concourse, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE

Insider tips

• Elevate Art is produced by the Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Atlanta. Elevate was placed in the top 50 public art projects in the Nation through Americans for the Arts Public Art Network, as well as the top 10 projects for City Livability. 

Know before you go

What is the contact information of Elevate Art?

160 Trinity Ave,
Atlanta, Ga. 30303