Artist Statement
One of Atlanta’s most beloved, illuminated annual traditions was reimagined in September 2020! Created and hosted by Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, the lantern parade expanded from a one-night in-person procession to a week-long virtual celebration, culminating in pop-up, socially-distanced parades in several Atlanta BeltLine neighborhoods. Residents were invited to show off their festive lantern displays on social media by posting a photo of their lantern-decorated home or yard with #BeltLineParadeInPlace as a unique way to spread joy across the city, celebrate creativity, and build community on a granular level while keeping Atlanta safe.
Artist Bio
Chantelle Rytter is a parade artist best known for founding the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade with the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, of which she is the proud Captain. Chantelle has created a family of annual lantern parades based in community participation over the last ten years in Decatur, Sandy Springs, Midtown, and Hilton Head Island. Chantelle grew up in Baltimore and studied integrative arts at Penn State University. She lived in New Orleans for ten years and fell under the spell of parade culture and the notion that creative play can be a civic gift.