Disclaimer: by the time you've finished reading this, you may be madly inspired to grow facial hair or run around like a child.
The earth continues to cry out for a reason of understanding; a heavy heart that desires to be cared for. Buildings and kinetic energy surround the people of Atlanta, but alas just outside of the busy city lies a sustainable art community. Located at 1200 Foster Street, the Goat Farm Arts Center is a safe-harbor in the midst of big city dreams.
As the sun begins to set into the Atlanta skyline, the cool evening air brings life to the surrounding wilderness.
This center encourages artists to bring about the awareness of social and ecological responsibilities. The community is titled appropriately; it includes a fully functional organic farm, goats, a donkey, dogs and an adorable pot-bellied pig. Included in this wonderland are various entities of gallery space, warehouses and installations.
A sculptor and professor at SCAD Atlanta, Martha Whittington, has her contemplation sculpture in one of the event spaces. It leads the viewer into a large interactive wood cylinder. As you walk into the space, you are immediately transported to another world. The only view is the sky above and the speakers spilling music by Rae Long, a multi-faced artist and multi-instrumentalist from Norway. This interactive sculpture is only one of the many inspiring art pieces that this place has to offer. It is up to you to discover the rest.
Once you take a walk around this environment—you will forget that you are even in the city. Essentially, the arts center acts as a large greenhouse that encompasses a state of tranquility. This atmosphere fosters the importance of plant-based living, holistic attributes, humane animal treatment and the overall awareness that people play a major role in the dynamic environment.
As I stood observing what used to be an old factory, I knew that there was something inside each of us calling for us to reach further. I felt a sense of my old-self reminding my even older self of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Just trust me on this one. The arts center helps foster ideas and inspire those who tread upon its territory. There are gems in the oddest of places, and it takes the oddest of persons to go and find them.
According to today's social standards, it is sometimes made apparent that "millennials" are not contributing to the future. Well, I beg to differ.
Places like this arts center are empowering and educating us to contribute to what supports them now and in their future—the Earth. By all means, we need more environments like this.
The Goat Farm Arts Center is for all ages. It inspires one to transcend wherever they may be at that moment and find their inner childlike wonder.
