{"id":203766,"date":"2026-03-04T11:18:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T11:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/203766\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T11:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T11:18:08","slug":"atlanta-wind-phone-a-natural-fit-in-permanent-home-at-oakland-cemetery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/203766\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Wind Phone a natural fit in permanent home at Oakland Cemetery"},"content":{"rendered":"

Atlanta mourners are finding solace in an iconic local cemetery. Thanks to a new art installation<\/a>, they\u2019re speaking their truths into the wind, loosening grief\u2019s grip one call at a time.<\/p>\n

The Grief House<\/a>, a community-based Atlanta nonprofit, found a permanent home for its Atlanta Wind Phone art installation. Initially featured in Woodruff Park\u2019s temporary \u201cThe Space Within\u201d<\/a> art display in October 2025, the wind phone is now ready for visitors at Oakland Cemetery.<\/p>\n

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Beneath a tree southwest of the cemetery\u2019s historic bell tower, signs guide visitors to the art installation. Like the original Japanese wind phone<\/a> created in 2010, it features a receiver with no dial tone. Connected to no service, it\u2019s an opportunity to simply speak into the wind.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike all steps toward grief, it can feel daunting, silly, confusing or all of the above,\u201d Sascha Demerjian, The Grief House co-founder and executive director, emailed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, explaining what first time visitors can expect.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are conditioned to process everything in our minds, but grief requires, and often demands, us to move beyond that mindset and seek out opportunities for reflection, connection and deeper understanding. Installations and invitations like the Atlanta Wind Phone create one such opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Historic Oakland Foundation announced its partnership<\/a> with The Grief House in December 2025. The foundation\u2019s president and CEO, Richard Harker, backed the partnership as a way to more deeply connect with the Atlanta community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Atlanta Wind Phone is a natural fit for Oakland because this space reminds us every day that memory, loss, and legacy are part of our shared story,\u201d he said in a news release. \u201cBy partnering with the Grief House to give the community a quiet, accessible place to speak their grief, we deepen Oakland\u2019s role as a place of memory, connection, and healing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Demerjian said she hopes those who decide to give the Atlanta Wind Phone a try also consider visiting The Grief House at Legacy Park. There, mourners can find community and maybe a little relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile The Grief House holds space for tears and sorrow and rage, it also holds space for joy and laughter and community,\u201d Demerjian said. \u201cOpening yourself up to grief opens you up to your entire spectrum of emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n

For those grieving but still on the fence about making a \u201ccall,\u201d there\u2019s no rush. The Atlanta Wind Phone will be there waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy simple advice is to come alone sometime, pick up the receiver and see who comes to your mind and what it is you need to say,\u201d Demerjian said. \u201cYou might be surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n