HBURG PUBLIC ART TRAIL: UTILITY BOX EDITION LAUNCHED

HATTIESBURG, MS – VisitHATTIESBURG is pleased to announce the launch of its newest attraction, the HBURG Public Art Trail: Utility Box Edition. Celebrating the diversity of creative art found in the community and the artists behind the works, the trail features original paintings on utility boxes located throughout Hattiesburg.

From 2020 through 2022, three phases of the project have been unveiled by local and national artists. The artwork connects Hattiesburg’s neighborhoods, main thoroughfares, and several points of interest that make the city special.

Ricardo Moody, a local art teacher, is one of 32 artists who contributed to Hattiesburg’s public art portfolio. He has numerous works featured on both the original HBURG Public Art Trail and the Utility Box Edition.

“Public art is important for Hattiesburg because it highlights the vibrancy of our city and its people. The pieces featured on the new trail have the ability to activate space, creating an inviting place where new interactions take place,” Moody said.  

The HBURG Public Art Trail: Utility Box Edition has provided an opportunity for budding artists to gain valuable experience, grow their portfolio, and leave a permanent mark on Hattiesburg. Several college students and three young artists 12-16 years of age also had designs selected.

“I really enjoyed when people passing by shared positive and encouraging words with me as I worked,” said teenage utility box artist Aubri Sparkman. 

Following her first completed utility box, she was selected by a Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art open call for artists to paint her first large-scale mural.

In early 2022, Hattiesburg was named a Top 11 must-see public art destination in the world, by Travel + Leisure Magazine. The VisitHATTIESBURG team is committed to continuing to tell the story of Hattiesburg’s creativity through a wave of growth in public art. 

“This additional component of our public art trail adds another layer of authenticity and diversity to our public art offerings,” Marlo Dorsey, executive director of VisitHATTIESBURG, said. “We greatly value our working relationships with the many talented artists that have been instrumental in Hattiesburg’s progression as a modern, creative hub.”

VisitHATTIESBURG is actively marketing the Public Art Trail: Utility Box Edition in drive markets to encourage participation. There are numerous ways for residents and visitors to discover the attraction, including digital brochures and interactive maps on hburgart.com and the ‘Visit HBURG’ mobile app.

For more details on the HBURG Public Art Trail: Utility Box Edition, visit hburgart.com/utility-box-trail/.