The public art project — 17 large-scale portraits of residents — was meant to reflect a changing Georgia town: to be inclusive, to upend preconceptions and break down walls.
It did all of that. And much more. nyti.ms/37mYM9y
It did all of that. And much more. nyti.ms/37mYM9y
The art installation is called “Seeing Newnan." Mary Beth Meehan, who photographed the portraits, hoped that her portraits would force people to see one another, perhaps for the first time. nyti.ms/37mYM9y 
The purpose of the project is rooted in the recent demographic change of Newnan, Georgia: In 1986, 12,000 people lived there. Today, almost 40,000, and it's grown more diverse. White people are still half the population, but the share of Hispanic people has doubled.
One portrait of sisters Aatika and Zahraw Shah wearing hijabs drew a few protests. But the wider response was people defending them. “People needed to open their eyes," an organizer said, "and see what a beautiful, diverse place we live in." nyti.ms/37mYM9y
The portraits will come down in June, but they've already had a lasting effect. “We need to talk about who lives in our community," said the Rev. David Jones II, pastor of a local church. "And if they are different, why does that make us uncomfortable?” nyti.ms/37mYM9y
