Illustrator George F. Baker III had one goal in creating “Spirit of Atlanta,” the design commissioned by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) in honor of the 49th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival.
“I wanted to showcase the dynamic of how a combination of people, music and energy can uplift the spirit of Atlanta,” said Baker. “What makes Atlanta interesting is the varied tapestry of cultures that come together to create a special sauce you can’t get anywhere else.”
When he’s not designing iconic work for legendary festivals, Baker acts as creative director of Foster, a studio collective, and carries a client list that includes Adult Swim, Atlanta United, Georgia Power, and Mercedes-Benz. This commission though, he says, hit differently.
“The OCA’s work is meant to directly serve the public good of the city I love,” Baker said. “It’s a huge honor to know my piece plays a small part in creating one of the best experiences in Atlanta.”
A city in motion
In “Spirit of Atlanta,” Baker deliberately placed golden yellow throughout the composition to guide the eye across the many details and characters incorporated into the piece, including musicians, instruments, speakers and cityscapes.
“I wanted each character to be in motion,” Baker said, “which gives your mind a chance to animate how they would finish their motion.”
One of his favorite details? A woman using the Atlanta skyline as her drum set. “Spirit of Atlanta” central figure carries a personal connection. Baker modeled it on his friend and Atlanta creative, Plewto Smith.
“Anybody who knows him knows he embodies everything that makes Atlanta special,” Baker said. “He has infinite energy, a huge personality that matches the size of his heart, and creativity that creates room for everyone to be themselves.”
“Jazz as a whole teaches you to keep playing, and you’ll find your rhythm. A lesson I try to take into the art I create every day.”
— Artist/Illustrator George F. Baker III]
Detroit to Atlanta, two cities on the beat
Baker grew up in Detroit, a city with its own deep musical identity, before Atlanta shaped him as an artist. Both cities, he says, share something essential: the way people move to the music matters as much as the music itself.
“The moves you do when ‘Clear’ by Cybotron comes on are as uniquely tied to that track as the moves you do when ‘Poole Palace’ by B.H.I comes on,” Baker said. “The way people move reveals identity — something I wanted to be shown in my piece.”
Baker draws a direct line between his “playful, childlike spirit” and the improvisational nature of jazz.
“A lot of what I do is letting my creative mind take over and just ‘build the plane while I’m flying,'” he said. “Jazz as a whole teaches you to keep playing, and you’ll find your rhythm. A lesson I try to take into the art I create every day.”
For young Atlanta artists watching his work go up on posters across the city, Baker has a clear message: “If you continue to invest in Atlanta, they will always invest in you.”
Read More:
• Atlanta Jazz Festival announces free concert series at local parks this May
• Atlanta City Council forms group to address safety concerns at Piedmont Park
The 49th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival runs May 23–25 at Piedmont Park. For the full schedule, including the 31 Days of Jazz, the pre-festival concert with the Miles Electric Band, the Late-Night Jazz Jam, and VIP Experience information, visit atljazzfest.com.
