Vacation & Leisure magazine names Hattiesburg a ‘must-see’

Journey & Leisure Journal not long ago shown Hattiesburg, MS as 1 of the “must-see pieces of public art about the earth.” The post, penned by travel writer Patricia Doherty, involved 11 intercontinental spots known for their prolific determination to public art. The selections were being primarily based, in element, on a research of “Arty Areas” by the London-centered firm Dollars (bit.ly/3zoYFcx) and on social media existence. 

“Street artwork has come to be prevalent around the globe, encouraged with festivals and in a lot of places, promoted by nearby governments,” Doherty writes. 

Hattiesburg is a person these types of city that has benefited from local government’s assistance of general public art. Mayor Toby Barker stated that general public art encourages the two nearby economic enhancement and social connection, in particular during the pandemic when lots of indoor venues experienced to shut down. In 2021, he even went as far as environment the objective to make Hattiesburg the “City of 100 Murals.” 

“To be a single of 4 cities in North The us bundled on a list that speaks about general public art in places like New York City, Paris and Berlin is just a single case in point of the expertise and creative imagination that exists suitable below in Hattiesburg,” Barker said. “Public Art is a mounting star in our local community, many thanks to lots of who have gone just before us and the Hattiesburg Alliance for General public Art’s steady leadership. We glimpse forward to continuing our trajectory as a premier arts place.”

With additional than 40 general public art installations, Hattiesburg has a selection of offerings for men and women of all ages and pursuits – from murals and sculptures to painted utility packing containers and seasonal pop-up art that deal with subject areas like tunes, civil legal rights, sporting activities and the city’s historical past of rock & roll.  

“Hattiesburg is committed to building art out there to all its citizens,” Doherty writes. 

In 2021, the Hattiesburg Alliance for Community Art, which oversees general public art tasks for the town, completed 4 murals, 22 utility bins, a pop-up art display and acquired a $11,000 Mississippi Arts Fee COVID Aid grant. 

“HAPA is very blessed to do the job with community companions and national and community artists to provide impressive, inventive and diverse imagery to the city’s general public spaces,” reported Kristen Brock, Director of Courses and Promotions for VisitHATTIESBURG and Hattiesburg Alliance for Community Artwork. 

In 2022, HAPA’s initial two projects will be the Jan. 10 unveiling of a new mural at Duncan Lake called “Duck, Duck, Goose” and section a few of the HBURG Utility Box series (artist purposes thanks by 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 at web page: bit.ly/3G03YSe). Much more data on impending situations and assignments is out there at hburgart.com.