Celebrating Art and Nature at the Chattahoochee Nature Center
A Look After the Completion of the New Mural
The mural was funded in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development.
ROSWELL, GA – Chattahoochee Nature Center announces the completion of a new staircase mural by local artist Thomas Turner, titled The Flow. The mural installation was funded in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development.
Intended as a connection between art and nature, The Flow celebrates the Chattahoochee River watershed in an artistic, interpretive way that drives awareness of our connection to the natural world. The mural showcases elements of the Chattahoochee River ecosystem and depicts its native habitats and riverways while representing the Center’s values and ethos. Turner’s striking, nature-influenced scenes in other murals around Atlanta inspired Chattahoochee Nature Center to bring his art to the campus and to share the joy of the arts and culture community across Fulton County and the metro area.
When asked about his inspiration for the mural, Turner says, “I wanted to share a vision that would connect to the nature center, celebrate nature, and create awareness to protecting and preserving Mother Earth. It’s not every day that I get to paint surrounded by nature and wildlife; normally, I am painting in a city scene, with cars rushing by, so getting to paint in a natural environment was one of the most rewarding experiences. There were actual Great Blue Herons flying above me during this installation.”
Turner specializes in bringing fine art to public spaces like the Chattahoochee Nature Center and brings over a decade of experience to the world of artistic expression as a specialist in murals and illustration. His early outdoor experiences with animals and the natural environment are at the heart of his love of the arts, and the natural world and organic forms most inspire him. He illuminates surrealist alternate universes and the connectedness of nature, animals, and our lived experiences.
Deeply inspired by the Chattahoochee River, Turner’s description of the mural reads:
“This original staircase mural reveals a moment in time at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. A pair of Great Blue Herons standing in the riverbed rest in the peaceful presence of each other, symbolizing a bond of unity and trust. The medley of indigenous Georgia flora and fauna breathe life into this artwork, representing the serenity and harmony of Mother Nature.
In the foreground, emerging from the rippling water of the Chattahoochee River are clusters of native cattail and pickerelweed. In the background, a vibrant sunset sheds light on the horizon of trees along the river. Wisps of the birds’ head feathers twist into a flowering archway of orange coneflower vines. They naturally converge to reveal a silhouette of a heart exhibiting the enduring love of nature.
Open your soul to nature. Let it guide you.
This is The Flow.”
Chattahoochee Nature Center’s 140,000 annual visitors will be able to enjoy the mural for years to come. Plan your visit today and enjoy hiking, live animals, gardens, and now, a beautiful mural. Chattahoochee Nature Center’s 127 acres are open year-round, Monday through Saturday, 10AM-5PM; Sundays, 12-5PM. General admission is $15 adults | $11 students and seniors | $9 children ages 3-12 | ages 2 and under are free.
For more on Thomas Turner, see http://thomasturnerart.com/murals
