Margo’s mural project, titled “Please Stay” is a kaleidoscope of hidden gems and meaning using text and sign language mixed with floral imagery and tangible trinkets to communicate a message of belonging to as many viewers as possible.

Margo Perkins is an Atlanta-based oil and acrylic painter and wall mural artist known for her abstract, portraits and landscape paintings. Her interest in creating art began at an early age while growing up on her family’s farm in East Tennessee. Influenced by the ingenuity and skill of the women in her family, she continued to develop her creative voice through an exploration of a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, sewing, poetry, animation, and digital art. After receiving her BFA in drawing from the University of Tennessee, she received a BS in digital media design. She then moved to Atlanta to pursue a creative career, where she currently indulges her curious mind by playing with color, repetition, line work, and movement to connect emotion with design. She is inspired by the hidden strength in delicacy and the opportunity found in vulnerability.

“I want to evoke joy by allowing viewers to see something lovely and a future worthy of hope. I hope to create curiosity and an involved learning experience in viewers that may not understand or have not experienced such disabilities or discrimination as education and growth are needed to change hearts and minds.”
— Margo Perkins

Director of Productions Kristen Consuegra
Artist Assistants Drew Borders, Emily Mastropiero, Nicole Merizalde, Jay Mason, Leah Abucayan
Photos On The Grid

 

Mural Scavenger Hunt

AA Serenity Coin – Represents anyone on their recovery journey. (Resources: Queer Sober Atlanta, Sober Skateboarding Atlanta, Sober City Movement, Sober Rides Atlanta)

Diamond Ring with Rainbow Glow – LGBTQIA community and the fight for marriage equality. (Resources: Georgia Equality)

4 Leaf Clover – Luck, Amazing things found in nature. (Resources: Defend Atlanta Forest)

1972 Graduation Tassel – Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Female Bisexual Trans Symbols – All sexual orientations deserve equality, protection, and acceptance. (Resources: SFQP, Wussy, Trans Housing Coalition)

Medical Alert Bracelet – This represents people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and the right to accessible and affordable healthcare, acceptance, and public access. (Resources: Frazer Center, Disability Together)

Heirloom Locket – Honoring past female family members and their traditions we keep close.

Protractor & Compass – Acknowledging women in STEM, acknowledging education and the inequalities in the education system, and recognizing how education gives women more independence and access to careers. (Resources: Athena’s Warehouse, STEM Atlanta Women, Atlanta Women in Stem, Women in Technology)

Birth control – The right to reproductive health care and autonomy. The option to choose your path, education, career, and lifestyle at your own pace. (Resources: Feminist Center, Abortion Funds in Every State)

Money - The acknowledgment women are paid less, especially women of color, and when we are barred from financial independence, we are denied our liberty. (Resources: In Her Hands)

Thread & Needle – Acknowledgment that women have been working and fighting for generations and skills passed from our mothers are still relevant. It shows women can command and control the necessities of life.

Thimble – Protection and armor. We need to protect and encourage one another.

Sign language – I love you; L-O-V-E. (Resources: Georgia Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, Queer ASL)

ATL beads – Pride in our city.