‘All You Need is Love’ | Downtown Hapeville unveils massive street mural during Atlanta Gay Pride weekend
Local artist Misty Lackey’s latest artwork, ‘Love Lights the Way’ decorates the heart of the Home for the Arts.
“Don't tell me who I can love. Don't tell me what I can do with my body. Then I won't tell you who you can love and what you do with your body.”
- Misty Lackey
HAPEVILLE, Ga. — The enormous LGBTQ+ pride street mural that adorns the entrance of the Sam Hape Plaza in Hapeville was officially introduced to the community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, October 8th on Atlanta Pride weekend.
The mural, appropriately titled, ‘Love Lights the Way,’ was the labor of love (not to mention months of hard labor under the unforgiving Georgia summer sun) of local artist and educator, Misty Lackey.
The impressive 5,000 sq. ft. mural encompasses the entire front half of the Sam Hape Plaza (né Dearborn Plaza) parking area between Corner Tavern and the Tara Club.
Lackey, along with the City of Hapeville mayor and city council joined the crowd of enthusiastic residents, art lovers, friends, and family gathered in Sam Hape Plaza to properly commemorate the affair.
“The timing was sweet this weekend for Atlanta Pride 2022. I was hoping in the summer that I was going to have this done when it was Pride Month – but it was really hot outside,” Lackey recounts to Vox Pop ATL with a humble smile.
The original inspiration for the LGBTQ+-themed mural was spearheaded by Hapeville Councilmember, Mark Adams back in 2021 as a statement piece meant to illustrate the city’s commitment to inclusivity to its residents, both current and future, and to remind them that all are welcome.
“We truly think that diversity is important in order to enrich communities and enrich educational systems,” Adams affirms.
“We truly celebrate everyone that comes here to the City of Hapeville whereby they don't feel like they're marginalized, that they're totally included in the city to celebrate their authentic selves.”
Chloe Alexander shared her fellow councilmember’s sentiments as she spoke with Vox Pop ATL about her takeaway from the finished piece.
“Having a big open space like this, that you actually interact with up close is much different than a mural that's on a wall.”
“You're walking down the street, you see this like a bright splash of color. The sunlight reflecting against the sheen of the paint is absolutely beautiful. She did an amazing job,”
Alexander, herself, is a painter and avid art advocate.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Fayetteville resident was graciously reluctant to accept full credit for the mural, thanking everyone from her husband, and painting volunteers to the Hapeville Public Works (who provided the perch to capture the gorgeous bird’s eye view photos shared on social media.)
Immediately following the event, Lackey was mobbed with grateful attendees who just wanted to say thanks for all of her hard work.
For more information about Misty Lackey and any upcoming public art projects in the City of Hapeville, visit their respective websites.
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