Atlanta-Based, Internationally Acclaimed Artist HENSE Unveils First Monumental Mural at The CTR, Marking Visible Transformation of a Reimagined Landmark
Installation Signals Next Phase as Former CNN Center Reopens to the City Through Art, Culture, and Everyday Experience
CP Group unveiled a large-scale mural by internationally recognized Atlanta artist Alex Brewer, known as HENSE, on the western facade of The CTR, marking the first completed installation as part of CTR Culture, the property’s ongoing public art and cultural programming initiative.
As The CTR prepares to reopen to the city, the mural introduces a bold, public-facing expression of the building’s transformation, signaling a shift toward a more open, connected role in downtown Atlanta. The mural is part of the newly renovated entrance off Andrew Young Boulevard, across from the Georgia World Congress Center.
“This is one of the initial moments where people can see the building changing in real time,” said Chris Eachus, Founding Partner at CP Group. “For years, this was a place experienced from the outside looking in. Now, we’re opening it up to the community and bringing energy and creativity into the everyday rhythm of downtown.”
HENSE Mural Unveiled as First Monumental Art Installation at The CTR
Spanning a prominent section of the building’s western facade, the mural establishes a bold visual presence along one of downtown’s most trafficked corridors, marking The CTR’s reintroduction as an active part of Atlanta’s daily experience.
As the first major exterior installation, the work sets the tone for how art will be integrated throughout the property, both inside and out, as The CTR continues to take shape as an always-on destination rooted in local culture.
The inaugural piece features Atlanta-based artist Alex Brewer, known internationally as HENSE, a defining voice in the city’s contemporary visual landscape. His work includes public commissions at the High Museum of Art and along the Atlanta BeltLine, as well as collaborations with global brands including Apple, Tiffany & Co., and Meta.
“The scale of this project, and the idea that it will become part of the city’s daily landscape, offered a chance to contribute something new and bring a fresh layer of color and energy to downtown,” said Alex Brewer. “There is something meaningful about a piece that feels expressive and alive on a landmark like this, especially as The CTR helps usher in a vibrant new chapter for downtown Atlanta.”
How CTR Culture Is Bringing Atlanta Artists into Downtown’s Most Recognized Landmark
The mural is part of the ongoing rollout of CTR Culture, The CTR’s arts and culture platform developed in partnership with ASHA Advisory, led by Neda Abghari. Now actively unfolding across the property, the initiative brings together permanent commissions, rotating installations, and multidisciplinary exhibitions, embedding Atlanta’s creative community directly in the building’s shared spaces.
“Atlanta has long been home to artists shaping culture far beyond the city itself, and CTR Culture gives those voices the scale and visibility they deserve,” said Neda Abghari, Founder of ASHA Advisory and curator of CTR Culture. “By placing their work directly into the architecture and shared spaces of The CTR, we’re creating a place where the city’s creative legacy becomes part of the everyday experience of downtown.”
The HENSE mural also sets the stage for The CTR’s ICONS Mural series, a collection of large-scale works by veteran artists whose decades-long careers have helped define Atlanta’s visual culture.
Forthcoming monumental ICONS commissions will roll out in phases, with work by:
Additional works will debut at The CTR during the building’s summer reopening, featuring a range of artists working across lens-based media and painting.
Confirmed artists include:
Together, this inaugural round of installations will introduce a building-wide collection of works that represent Atlanta and its culture as The CTR reopens to the city.
Stay up-to-date on all news and events from the center