Lighting the Way to the Stitch

Lighting the Way to The Stitch

On a warm June evening, Mayor's Park came alive with conversation, music, laughter, and a shared sense of possibility.

More than 100 residents, neighbors, artists, and community members gathered for "Lighting the Way to The Stitch," a convening designed to bring Atlantans together and offer a glimpse of what a more connected Atlanta could look and feel like.

The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of What We Weave, the first public art installation associated with The Stitch. Created by Atlanta artist Eddie Farr, the installation invited visitors to experience the power of connection through light, color, sound, and shared space. 

But the event was about more than art.

Neighbors gathered for conversation over tacos from El Tesoro, families enjoyed custom craft kits from Scraplanta, people listened to upbeat tunes played by DJ Smartt, and new connections unfolded between neighbors. As the sun began to set Mayor's Park transformed into the kind of welcoming public gathering space that The Stitch hopes to create across Atlanta's urban core.

“The Stitch is a major infrastructure project and they take many years to complete, but there’s a real demand and great community that exists in North Downtown today that we’re hoping to grow and build upon,” said Jack Cebe, President and CEO of The Stitch Inc. “There’s an opportunity now to create a center of gravity for this community, bringing people together, and public art is something that gets people excited.”

At its heart, What We Weave reflects the same idea that inspires The Stitch itself: that communities are strongest when people are connected. 

“What We Weave is rooted in the idea that connection is built one thread at a time. The inspiration came from a handmade quilt my aunt gave me – a collection of individual pieces stitched together to tell a larger story,” said Eddie Farr. “That felt deeply connected to The Stitch's vision of bringing people and neighborhoods together. What I love most about this piece is it  isn't meant to simply be viewed – it's meant to be experienced.”

The installation includes a microphone that parkgoers can speak into, the tonality of different speakers will be reflected in the lighting through different hues, allowing neighbors to become part of the art itself. When the installation illuminated the park that evening, it served as a reminder that The Stitch is about more than infrastructure. It's about creating spaces where people can gather, build relationships, celebrate their community, and feel connected to the city around them.

For one evening, that future felt a little closer.

Photos by Jeffrey Moustache