ELEVATE returns to celebrate City Hall's arts and culture history

Catch up quick: 50 years ago, then Mayor Maynard Jackson created the Office of Cultural Affairs. Since then, the city has become one of the biggest boosters of the arts in Georgia and the South.

Zoom in: From Fri., Sept. 20, to Sun., Oct. 13, ELEVATE will host free weekend events including:

• A panel discussion featuring Michael Lomax, who founded the OCA, and former Mayor Shirley Franklin, who also served as the cultural affairs commissioner
• New and restored murals painted by artists from Atlanta's sister cities Lagos, Nigeria, and Toulouse, France and sculpture works in Freedom Park and Grant Park; and
• Exhibitions featuring prominent Atlanta artists from the past 50 years and retrospectives about the city's cinema and jazz history.

Fun fact: The city is awarding 2,500 tickets to 50 Atlanta cultural venues hosting arts events throughout the fall.

Visit ELEVATE's website for more details