Village is Family (for testing)

This vibrant mural was commissioned by Wellspring Living’s 20th Anniversary Murals Series, and celebrates 20 years of fighting human trafficking in Atlanta. The work was created by Ashley Bella, who explains “It’s pretty heavy to know that I’m the first artist to ever paint on the King Center building. As an Atlanta native and a social entrepreneur who cares deeply about the community - this means everything. I don’t take what I’m doing lightly.”

Due to the ethics and policies surrounding the topic, Ashley has kept much of what she knows about the survivors private. However through mural installations she has found a way to use art to tell their stories. “The work I did as an advocate in the anti-trafficking movement was hard, because most of the time I couldn’t even talk to my family and friends about what the women were going through and my experience working with them in different safe houses and recovery homes”, she said. As the founder of her own company, Ashley now has the freedom to bring awareness to the cause through her art.

00:00 What inspired the artwork?

00:47 How did you get involved with the Survivors?

01:20 How did working with the Survivors affect you in such a profound way?

02:10 How is MLK's legacy reflected in the artwork?

02:49 Where does the power of the Village originate?

03:19 Who does the Village reflect in real life?