In just a couple of weeks, Stacks Squares round 15 will bring an all-new lineup of murals to the walls of Stacks at Fulton Cotton Mills Lofts. Over the weekend of Aug. 17-18, ten 7×7’ squares along an architectural wall along Carroll Street in Cabbagetown will be transformed into an outdoor gallery by the Stacks Squares artists.
Stacks Squares was initially conceived by local artist and neighbor John Dirga back in 2017. The idea was to provide opportunities for new and emerging artists to work alongside established muralists while beautifying the neglected wallspace. Following renovation of Stacks into lofts, the wall had been buffed and left blank. With lots of interest and support from the neighbors and local artists, it was primed for new art.
Located adjacent to the annual Forward Warrior mural project and just down the way from graffiti-free-for-all Krog Street Tunnel, Stacks Squares is a perfect spot for a new mural project.
Calling the wall size a “Goldilocks zone” that is not too big for new artists and not too small for professional muralists, Dirga conceived it as a guest curated concept from the start. The first nine installments were curated by Austin “Blue” Richardson, and it has been offered up as a guest curator opportunity to local artists ever since.
Now, in just over two weeks, Vanna Black is about to usher it into its next iteration, and she graciously spared a few moments to answer some questions about her experience so far.
Hi Vanna! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us about your guest curator role at Stacks Squares. Can you tell our readers a little bit about your own artistic practice?
Compared to working on your own projects and murals, you’re probably doing more artist management for Stacks Squares, right? How has that shift been for you?
How did you get linked up to curate round #15 of Stacks Squares?
I initially was an artist selected for Round #10 back in 2022, and asked John if I could paint again, and he suggested that I try out for being a curator instead. I pitched him my idea and the rest was history.
Do you have any personal connections to Cabbagetown or Stacks Squares prior to taking on this project?
Cabbagetown is this magical little neighborhood that is whimsical and fun ever since I could remember as a child living in the Ormewood neighborhood. As a painter I recall getting a business card from John, once upon a time. And didn’t think much of it but held onto the card in my wallet. Not realizing I would become an artist and nowhere near a thought to have become a curator. It’s a beautiful way of seeing a subconscious manifestation occur.
In your opinion, what is the most special or gratifying part of painting murals on public walls?
I got excited just reading this question! It’s the Shopping for the paint -lol – picking out the colors the client agrees to; learning new ways to do something; painting with friends; the in-between stages; the parts that are tedious like unloading / setting up / cleaning up; and Seeing how excited the client gets when the design is coming together and has been completed.
When you’re not making art, where do you spend your time? Do you have a favorite coffee shop, restaurant, bar, or store that you frequent?
I have a full time job at the moment but in my spare time – I paint as much as I can, but running a business with wings means I have to prioritize the clean up parts of the business. I have to keep up with all the receipts for taxes, and clean up my calendar, and send out emails. I don’t really do a lot of content creation, but I think when I have a project I just try to tell people about it as much as I can. There’s really an art to it and I’m just skating-by, by being involved every month with something to do, and so it seems like I’m busy (I am and don’t want to admit it – lol.)
My new favorite coffee shop is Rev Coffee in Smyrna (@revcoffee). Love their atmosphere and hours! If I’m in Decatur it’s @sanfrancoffee and in Avondale it’s @BanjoCoffee.
I stay in Binders, Blick, & Sam Flax – like a kid in a candy store!
Learn more about Vanna Black on her website and Instagram. You can stop by or follow along with Stacks Murals on their Instagram leading up to and during their paint live weekend Aug. 17-18.
