BEHIND THE ART: LENIA CASTRO

January 2026

By Shannon Doyle Bell

Lenia is the professional muralist you didn’t know you knew! Her creativity and passion can be seen on walls across the city, transforming Atlanta’s landscape into a vibrant, ever-evolving canvas. She is a proud resident of Atlanta’s Upper Westside Riverside neighborhood. Lenia truly eats, breathes, and lives art since her time growing up in Cuba. In 1991, she began creating stunning public and private works that capture the spirit and soul of the communities she serves. Later In 2003, became the founder and creative force behind Upper Westside Murals.

“Art opens more doors than it closes,” said Lenia. “People say hello, and always I take the time to explain it to them... Because that’s part of the fun – that people can understand what we are doing.”

Lenia worked with the developers of Westside Village in 2019 to design the Upper Westside Map mural. The mural serves as a backdrop for many passersby and has become a recognizable landmark for the area. It made an impression on us so much so that it’s our featured title art! Discover it for yourself above Ted’s Montana Grill and neighboring Westside Med, at:

Westside Village

2250 Marietta Blvd. NW,

Atlanta, GA 30318

Head over, grab a bite to eat and snap a memento of your own!

Have a project of your own you would like Lenia to work with you on?

Phone: 404-312-2093

https://upperwestsidemurals.com/

Photo 1: Cherokee Commons Shopping Center

Photo 2: Westside Village

Photo 3: Amli Flatiron

Photo 4: Krog Street Market

Photo 5: Crest on Peachtree