Alleywave: Canopy of Colors (2024)

26 W. CAMPBELLTON ST - FAIRBURN, GA
April 27 - june 7, 2024

 

c/o Sam Bentley

A vibrant, large-scale canopy installation featuring community-designed panels suspended above the heart of Fairburn, GA.

Produced by Dashboard in collaboration with the City of Fairburn’s Art in the Alley, the 2024 edition of Alleywave expands its reach to continue to weave the collective inspirations and stories that define the Fairburn community, extending across the entire 119-foot downtown alleyway and featuring fresh panels designed by a mix of new and returning community members of diverse ages, experiences, and backgrounds.

 
 

Photos by Sam Bentley

Programming

New Beginnings Senior Center: Day of movement

June 5, 2024

The public was invited to join the New Beginnings Senior Center for a day of movement, featuring an exercise class open to all levels led by the Center, a performance by the Center’s line dancers, and a cooldown lunch, all taking place under the Alleywave canopy.

 

Fairburn Community Art Classes

April 27, 2024 & May 26, 2024

The City of Fairburn invited the community out for an evening of artistic expression under Alleywave, led by artist and curator Rod Parker.

 

Black Girls RUN! Finish Line event, “Movement for Moms”

May 8, 2024

Black Girls RUN! Fairburn chapter, Fairburn’s Finest, hosted a 5K through the City of Fairburn in honor of all the mom’s, with the finish line moment happening under Alleywave.

Runners received flowers after crossing the finish line, a photographer captured special moments with family & loved ones, there was a 5-minute post-run stretch class taught by Fairburn’s Finest, and light refreshments were provided.

All photos by Sam Bentley

Alleywave Process

Alleywave: Canopy of Colors brings together visual reflections from Fairburn students and organization members collected during creative workshops held in the community. Led this year by artists and graphic designers Lewis H. Foster and Kaidesh Forrester, the workshops included an overview of color theory, color psychology, and basic design principles. Participants were then provided templates designed by Lewis and Kaidesh, and were given free reign to customize them according to their personal inspirations.

Each reflection was then translated into a unique satin panel within the installation, forming a collaborative and colorful canopy reflecting the collective inspirations of the Fairburn community.

2024 Participating Organizations: Girl Scout Troop #3802, The Southside Theatre Guild, Fairburn Senior Center, Global Impact Academy, and Black Girls RUN!

Credit: Southside Theatre Guild Workshop. Photos & videos by Crystal Alexis

statement From the GRAPHIC designers

 

In designing the templates that would eventually become panels for Alleywave, we sought to stimulate the eyes and engage the viewer by creating a façade of motion in static compositions. Simple shapes and suggestive lines create the visual illusion of movement.

The goal was to give all of the templates a sense of fluidity, not only so that each individual panel is evocative of motion, but also providing a rhythm that allows them all to flow together as a whole.

Born from the same templates, each panel reflects the beauty of the last and motions the viewer to the next. Their differences are what make them appealing as a whole - reflecting the importance of appreciating each other’s unique intricacies.

Lewis H. Foster and Kaidesh Forrester

 

Lewis H. Foster

Kaidesh Forrester

 

Alleywave: Canopy of Colors (2024) is produced by Dashboard in collaboration with the City of Fairburn’s Art in the Alley. Panel templates & graphics by Lewis H. Foster and Kaidesh Forrester

Major Funding is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners