HAPA SEEKS ARTIST FOR 2022’S FIRST MURAL PROJECT

HATTIESBURG, MS (Jan. 26, 2022) – The Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art is pleased to announce a call for artists to design and execute an exterior mural in the Hawkins Neighborhood, near downtown Hattiesburg. Artists with professional experience in public art or painting are invited to respond to the call.

Located on the Hattiesburg Public School District Early Childhood Center, the highly visible mural will be themed, “Learning today to lead tomorrow.” The canvas space measures approximately 25 feet high by 80 feet wide and borders learning facilities for preschool and elementary-aged students. As such, submitted designs must be age-appropriate and reflect the educational and cultural attributes of the neighborhood.

The project will be HAPA’s first large-scale mural in 2022, further expanding the footprint of the organization’s work in the community. With more than a dozen other projects planned for the year, Hattiesburg’s public art offerings continue to beautify the city’s neighborhoods and corridors with growing community support.

“Since its inception, HAPA has funded vibrant and meaningful public art, contributing to Hattiesburg being named a top travel destination for art by Travel + Leisure magazine earlier this year,” Kristen Brock, programs director, said. “The organization’s efforts have produced 16 murals in addition to multiple sculptures and dozens of painted utility boxes found in districts throughout the community, and we have plans to partner on many additional projects in 2022.”

The Hawkins Neighborhood mural is being partially funded by Ekklesia Hattiesburg in support of their Neighbors at Hawkins community program.

“Partnering in Hattiesburg’s public art initiative to create a beautiful and long-lasting mural in this neighborhood is the perfect display of all the beauty that happens every day inside the walls of Hawkins Elementary school,” Mike Dixon, Ekklesia pastor, said. “Ekklesia Hattiesburg and the Neighbors at Hawkins program exist because the entire Hawkins Elementary community holds a special place in our hearts, and there is no calculating how much time and love has been shared side by side in the school. We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this effort.”

Professional local, regional, and national artists are encouraged to submit their original designs. Concepts should be colorful and engaging, highlighting the importance of education, community, and diversity.

For more details and instructions, interested artists may visit hburgart.com/artists. Applications must be electronically submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022. The final design selection will be based on artistic merit, creativity, demonstrated ability, technical knowledge, overall budget, and the artist’s interpretation of the theme.

To learn more about HAPA or for a map of existing public art in Hattiesburg, visit HAPA’s Facebook and Instagram pages or hburgart.com. 

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A program of VisitHATTIESBURG, HAPA began in 2014 through the leadership of community members and generous donors passionate about publicly sharing art and making it accessible to all. HAPA continues to purchase and place art throughout the city – in parks, neighborhoods, public buildings, and businesses – while also raising awareness for works of art already in the area. The organization is partially funded by VisitHATTIESBURG, Mississippi Arts Commission grants, the City of Hattiesburg, and other local organizations and individuals who believe in the importance of public art.