Atlanta Music category interest

“Pianos for Peace” is one of Atlanta’s largest public art projects, created by composer and pianist Malek Jandali.

Each year, the organization aims to spread the message of peace by placing colorfully decorated pianos in public spaces across the city. There are 88 painted pianos throughout the city for pedestrians to hold their own pop-up concerts, as well as a yearly festival that runs from Sept. 1 until Sept. 21.

“City Lights” producer Summer Evans spoke with those affiliated with the festival to gain a better understanding of the public art project.

According to Jandali, around 60 commissioned artists and volunteers each year paint the pianos, which are placed in one of 50 locations around Atlanta, some temporarily and others permanently. Jandali says the organization chooses each location to protect the pianos from the elements.

“We need to take into consideration the quality of the pianos after the festival because our goal is not just public art display, [but to] donate these colorful pianos to schools, community centers, and healthcare facilities after the festival,” says Jandali.

The project’s closing ceremony is on Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace, at the King Center with a free and public concert. The ceremony will honor the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann and King Center CEO Dr. Bernice King as their ambassadors of peace for 2024.

More information can be found at https://pianosforpeace.org/festival/.