The Canopy Exhibit

A Bicentennial Celebration of Macon, Georgia

In 2023, The Canopy was proudly featured at the Macon Mall as part of the city’s Bicentennial Celebration. Located on the upper level above the food court, the exhibit brought together over 20 local artists and celebrated the rich history, culture, and creative spirit of Macon.

The exhibit was open to the public every Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m., with additional group visits available by appointment. Visitors entered through the Mercer University Drive entrance and experienced a vibrant display of textiles, storytelling, and community collaboration.

To learn more about the project or future exhibitions, please email: winimcqueen@yahoo.com

Photo By: Leah Yetter

About

Conceived by textile artist Wini McQueen as a symbol of hope and idealism, an exploration of beauty and wonder via surface design on cotton fabric. “The Canopy” is an immersive experience. 

It is a monumental entity (sixty feet wide and deep, and twenty four feet high) that expands imagination, stimulates joy and. instills a sense of hope among visitors, writing a new chapter in history of public art.

As they enter “The Canopy” from a walk-around space, visitors find themselves enveloped in sculpted art, moving through billowing cotton cloth banners, cylinders and accordion pleated panels which are experienced as gigantic bursts of color cascading from the ceiling: bright yellow, lavender, orange, and pink. Every imaginable texture-scrim, sateen and majestic velveteen are used to create three-dimensional, magical mazes, featuring America’s favorite folk art, tie dye. Canopy components are one-of-a-kind works that tell stories of their own, even as the spectacle draws on Christo and Jean Claude, and the Ghanian El Anatsui.