If you drive by the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, you’ll see an art project completed by nearly 200 citizens. It is the first in a long effort to educate the community about the economic benefits of public art.

Ellen Hill with Valdosta Main Street, says Atlanta sculptor Jeff Mather led residents in building a painted wood project you can walk through.

“If you wanted to spend 10 minutes or two hours, you could come out and you would have hands on painting and building this piece of public art. So everyone in the community had pride of ownership in it.”

Robin Fretti , chair of Valdosta’s Public Art Advisory Committee, says they believe public art can lure economic development to the city. And she
says their goal is to get the art without using taxpayer dollars.

“To form partnerships with businesses in town, and to of course have artist donations. We hope to not use the taxpayers money. We want it to be funded itself.”

The installation will be up for 4 to 6 months. And Fretti says they hope to have future community art projects like it.

Tags: Public art, Valdosta City Council, Public Art Advisory Committee, Jeff Mather, Robin Fretti, Ellen Hill, Valdosta Main Street