By: Mateo Osorno
Ashley Bella, the CEO of ArtzyBella (’20), is a Georgia State University alum and a graduate of the Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund Cohort 1. She recently announced the completion of a one-of-a-kind mural entitled “Be Love.” Although there have been other murals at the historic Dr. Martin Luther King Center site, this is the first to be painted on the King Center building. Wellspring Living 20th Anniversary Murals Series commissioned this unique mural to celebrate 20 years of fighting against human trafficking in Atlanta.
Ashley has had to keep much of what she knows about human trafficking survivors private, therefore she’s able to use her mural installations as a way to share their stories. “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,” says Ashley. “I don’t take what I’m doing lightly.” As the CEO of her own company, Ashley now has the opportunity to bring awareness to a cause she is passionate about through her art.
Ashley will be painting more murals around Atlanta to continue spreading awareness about human trafficking. The idea to use art as a form of therapy for survivors was inspired by Ashley’s years of working with human trafficking survivors at various non-profits. Before her days as a full-time fine artist, Ashley worked as a counselor and social worker for over ten years. She now uses her expertise and artistic prowess to design and paint impactful murals that celebrate the fight against human trafficking.
To learn more about her business, future projects and her creative process, visit her website.
