Amplify: Author Talk with Hannah Palmer

Join us for a thoughtful evening with award-winning writer and urban design theorist Hannah Palmer, as she discusses her acclaimed works and the stories hidden within Atlanta's urban landscape. Palmer, known for her essays, memoirs, and public art projects, explores the intricate connections between Atlanta's history, hidden communities, and the natural environment. Her award-winning memoir, "Flight Path: A Search for Roots Beneath the World's Busiest Airport", chronicles the stories of communities impacted by the expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Her latest book, "The Pool Is Closed: Segregation, Summertime, and the Search for a Place to Swim", delves into the racial politics and environmental history surrounding public access to water in Atlanta.

She will be interviewed by Brennen Collins, Associate Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Georgia State University. This event provides a unique opportunity to engage with a prominent Atlanta author and discuss important issues surrounding urban landscapes, environmental justice, and the power of storytelling.

In addition to her writing, Palmer leads urban conservation initiatives, including the "Finding the Flint" project, which aims to restore the headwaters of the Flint River. She also engages in public art projects that reveal hidden histories and wildness in the urban landscape. Notably, Palmer created "Ghost Pools," a multimedia art installation in East Point, Georgia, which explored the history of two segregated swimming pools and their eventual abandonment. This project used salvaged pool tiles, flags, paint, diving boards, and archival photos to mark the original footprints of the pools. She also collaborated with Carley Rickles on "Walking on Earth", a "rambling symposium" part of the Atlanta Design Festival. Palmer's public art projects aim to spark conversations and inspire civic engagement around environmental justice and the use of public spaces.

Brennen Collins is an Associate Director and Academic Professional at Georgia State University, serving a multifaceted role in the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Online Education (CETLOE) and the Department of English.

Collins's work encompasses a broad range of interests, including digital humanities, the intersection of the Humanities with fields like mapping, digital heritage, data visualization and curation, and immersive learning. He is also interested in creating transdisciplinary and interinstitutional projects that explore the urban landscape to enhance critical thinking and community engagement.

The Amplify Author Series is supported by Georgia Humanities, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, through appropriations made by the Georgia General Assembly.

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