A colorful and joyous surprise greets travelers entering the main terminal of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.  “Spirit of Atlanta”, a 70-ft. wide photomural designed to welcome local residents and visitors to the city, embraces people as they enter the main terminal of the airport.  Its 3-wall design at the top of the escalators wraps around travelers as they pass under its arch on their way to baggage claim.  The concept was to landmark Atlanta by reflecting its cultural diversity at the Olympic Fountain, a widely recognized icon of the l996 Olympics and spiritual center of the city.

Challenges:

The original commission for Spirit of Atlanta was to cover a 12 x 12 gated passageway no longer in use. I grew this concept into wrapping 3 walls at the top of the escalators with a mural that would embrace people with welcome as they enter the main terminal of the airport. Integrating the protruding curve of the passageway into the overall design of the mural provided both design and installation challenges.

- Deborah Wian Whitehouse