Artwork on PATH400 Celebrates Transformed Lives of Sex Trafficking Survivors
Wellspring Living completes third mural with community partners
ATLANTA – (SEPTEMBER 21, 2021) — Wellspring Living is pleased to announce the completion of their third 20th Anniversary mural with a group of committed community partners: Livable Buckhead, MARTA and Rotary Club of Buckhead.
The piece, which is approximately 500 square feet, is along PATH400 in Buckhead. PATH400 runs along the spine of GA 400 and a MARTA rail line giving this particular mural the highest public visibility of the three murals in the campaign to date. The artwork was funded jointly by MARTA’s public art program Artbound, the Rotary Club of Buckhead and Livable Buckhead.
“Public art has been part of PATH400 since the first section of the trail opened in 2015,” said Denise Starling, who initiated the mural partnership in her dual roles as Livable Buckhead’s executive director and a member of Buckhead Rotary. “There is nothing like the power of beautiful local art to create a sense of connection, which is one of the main reasons we built PATH400. We are thrilled to partner with Wellspring, MARTA and Buckhead Rotary to add this beautiful work of art and its important message.”
The project was envisioned and led by local artist Ashley Bella. Bella, who runs ArtzyBella Co., a startup using art for mental health and wellness, has spent more than a decade dedicated to driving social change through mental health services, social work and community involvement. On the design inspiration, Bella shared: “I put butterflies in this piece to represent the transformation that survivors go through. From being in a dangerous environment to being identified as a victim or exploited to coming into programs like Wellspring Living and getting the help and then, going through their own unique transformation.”
“As we continue celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year, the mural along PATH400 brings attention and awareness to the work Wellspring Living does and the clear and present problem of trafficking in our community,” stated Wellspring Living Founder and Executive Director Mary Frances Bowley. “This mural is such a beautiful depiction of transformation and also of the fact that there have to be many people involved to make a difference for survivors.”
The campaign theme “Hand in Hand” represents the hundreds of mission-minded and community-focused partners, like Livable Buckhead, Rotary and MARTA, who are committed to seeing lives transformed.
This initiative is a multi-site, multi-partner campaign in which unique murals will be painted around the Metro Atlanta area depicting communities coming together to see lives of sex trafficking survivors transformed. Through these partnerships, organizations are educating their community members on the reality of sex trafficking and are a part of celebrating transformation.
View the mural campaign video here and our 20th Anniversary webpage here. Other featured posts on Wellspring Living’s Facebook and Instagram. For more information on how to partner this year, contact Development Director, Sarah Richardson.
About Wellspring Living
Since 2001, Wellspring Living has provided domestic sex trafficking victims and those at risk (ages 12+) with comprehensive, trauma-informed, victim-centered recovery services through residential programs, community-based programs, and graduate services. Each program utilizes a multi-disciplinary service model to provide transformative care through five service pillars: therapy, education, life skills, career readiness, and case management. Wellspring Living also trains and consults organizations nationally and internationally to multiply impact through the Wellspring Living Institute. For more information, visit www.wellspringliving.org.
About Livable Buckhead
Livable Buckhead is a nonprofit organization that strives to ensure the long-term viability and prosperity of the Buckhead community. The organization achieves its mission by working cooperatively with individuals, public entities and private businesses to integrate sustainable strategies. Livable Buckhead implements programs related to greenspace, recycling, energy efficiency, commute alternatives, arts and culture, real estate development and land use. For more information about Livable Buckhead and its programs, visit www.livablebuckhead.org.
About MARTA
Established in 1971, MARTA is among the largest transit agencies in the U.S., providing 95 percent of the public transit trips in the metro Atlanta region with 110 fixed bus routes, 38 heavy rail stations, 2.7 miles of light rail, and on-demand paratransit services. MARTA is primarily funded by a 1 percent sales tax in Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties and a 1 1/2 percent sales tax in the City of Atlanta. MARTA’s FY 2022 operating and capital budgets total $1.3 billion.
About Buckhead Rotary
Buckhead Rotary is one of the largest of the 21 Rotary Clubs in metro Atlanta. Its mission is to make a difference in the local community and around the world. Members are business and professional leaders from the Buckhead and Atlanta business, government, nonprofit and educational communities. The diverse membership includes professionals, small business owners, educators, business executives, entrepreneurs, consultants and public service leaders. For more information visit www.buckheadrotary.com.
