FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2023
MARTA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
ATLANTA – The
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) public art program
Artbound welcomes four new members to its Council for the Arts. Created in
2017, the Council meets quarterly to provide perspective to MARTA’s public art
programming, helping amplify the work of Artbound and advocate for public art
and transit.
“Council
members are chosen based on their connection to the arts, equity, and their
commitment to thriving communities,”
said Art in Transit Director Katherine Dirga. “Each member brings their
individual talents and unique viewpoints to the table, and I’m excited to work
with these gifted community members.”
MARTA General
Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood has appointed the following new members to
MARTA’s Council for the Arts:
Franco Bejarano
– Artist & Clinical Social Worker
Bejarano uses his
artwork to tackle societal issues and mental health through the mediums of
portraiture, children’s books, and art therapy.
Brian Hebert – Arts
Clayton, Executive Director
Hebert is a visual
artist/curator/educator who built the visual arts programming at the Southwest
Art Center where he organized and curated exhibitions and visual arts projects
and programs.
Dorian McDuffie
– Atlanta City Studio Public Art Manager
McDuffie is a
public art project manager currently focused on incorporating art in the
right-of-way to creatively enhance the efforts of the City of Atlanta
Department of City Planning.
Christopher
Swain – City of East Point Public Art Coordinator
Swain has spent
over 25 years traveling throughout Africa, documenting African music, dance,
sculpture, costume, painting, and other visual and performance art forms.
Returning Council
members include:
Briana X.
Camelo – Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Administrator
Aixa Pascual –
Atlanta Regional Commission Senior Communications Strategist, Writer &
Content Creator
Erika Smith –
Manager, TechSpark Metro - Microsoft Philanthropies
Josh Phillipson
(Member Ex-Officio) – Principal for Arts, Culture and Creative Placemaking at
the Atlanta Regional Commission, and former Chair of MARTA Council for the Arts
The Council meets
quarterly, and members serve two-year terms with a one-term renewal option. The
attached document contains photos and bios for all Council members.
One percent of
MARTA’s annual budget is allocated for its Artbound program which was developed
to enhance the ridership experience through visual and performing arts.