The Lawrenceville Arts Commission just scored a win for local creatives with a $20,000 Project Grant from the Gwinnett Creativity Fund. This financial boost is earmarked for the Magnolias on a Sweet Breeze community mural, which aims to beautify even further the cultural canvas of Lawrenceville. The grant for this artistic endeavor originates from the generous pockets of Gwinnett County and Explore Gwinnett Tourism + Film, as reported on the City of Lawrenceville website.
Slated for installation near Georgia Gwinnett College on the Collins Hill Road overpass off State Route 316, the mural is the brainchild of local artist, Angela Bortone. Bortone won't be working alone; the project plans for wide-scale community involvement, welcoming faculty, students, and the general public to pick up paintbrushes. It's a collaborative approach that follows the footsteps of Lawrenceville Blooms, the City's inaugural community-participation mural. With an aim to involve at least 100 people in the painting process, this initiative looks set to serve as a warm visual welcome to the burgh's beating heart.
Lawrenceville's mayor, David Still, has been vocal about the project's value, saying to the City of Lawrenceville, "This project is a perfect example of how the arts can strengthen connections within our community." In a statement obtained by the City of Lawrenceville, Still emphasized the collaborative creation not just as an aesthetic feature, but as a source of pride and a means of fostering connection in Lawrenceville.
The artist and the community's vision will begin materializing on the wall in early April with Bortone leading the charge in outlining and prepping the surface. Students from nearby Georgia Gwinnett College are on deck for a dedicated day to splash their artistic flair, alongside locals who can sign up starting April 17 for community painting slots later in the month. An artist reception and talk at the college on April 22 will provide an insider’s look into process and intention behind the mural. Jasmine Billings, the Community & Economic Development Director, echoed the sentiments on public engagement, stating to the City of Lawrenceville, "We are excited to invite residents, students, and visitors to engage directly with the artist, Angela Bortone, during the community painting days and the artist talk."
The Lawrenceville Arts Commission and the City are publicly tipping their hats to Gwinnett County and the Gwinnett Creativity Fund for their continuous backing. With this avid support, public art will remain a crucial, dynamic element of Lawrenceville's identity, as it enhances life for those who reside and visit. Those looking to get their hands dirty and hearts fulfilled in the Magnolias on a Sweet Breeze Community Mural can dig up details on the Arts Commission webpage.
