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ARTISTS SOUGHT FOR 2021 HBURG UTILITY BOX PROJECT

January 21, 2021

HATTIESBURG, MS – The Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art, in cooperation with the City of  Hattiesburg, is pleased to announce a Call for Artists for the second phase of innovative and  creative utility box designs located on several local streets and throughways.

Artists with experience in public art or painting are invited to submit up to three original  artworks for consideration.

“Hattiesburg is an arts community, and we should always endeavor to provide opportunities  for emerging artists to showcase their work and ingenuity,” said Mayor Toby Barker. “I  appreciate HAPA stepping forward to support this innovative way of turning something  mundane, such as a traffic signal box, into a community asset that can also feature the  immense creative talent in our city.”

This phase of the public art project will include 21 boxes, and artists will receive a stipend for  each completed piece. Artists with experience in public art or painting can submit up to three  original artworks for consideration.

Artists are required to include a concept statement with each proposal, and applications must  be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. Painting of selected designs will  begin in February and continue throughout summer 2021.

“We are excited to see the inspiring concepts proposed for this latest public art project in  Hattiesburg. The series will certainly add another layer to our growing popularity as an artistic,  vibrant community and destination,” Marlo Dorsey, Executive Director of VisitHattiesburg, said.

The Hattiesburg Community Arts Center and Southern Miss Alumni Association will assist in  presenting this phase of the utility box series. Judging criteria for final selections include artistic  merit, creativity, demonstrated ability, technical knowledge, and interpretation of theme.

The first phase of this project was completed in the summer of 2020. It included five boxes  painted by local artists Vixon Sullivan, Thomas Jackson and Kalamity Kam.

Locals and visitors can currently see these boxes at the following locations:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue & JC Killingsworth Drive – “Keep Your Dream Alive” by Vixon Sullivan
  • Hardy Street and South 21st Avenue – “Graves Brothers” by Thomas Jackson
  • South 28th Avenue & Hillendale Drive – “Heroes” by Thomas Jackson
  • Hardy Street & Park Avenue – “Let’s Play Ball” by Thomas Jackson
  • Hardy Street and Broad Street –“Unified” by Kalamity Kam

“These utility boxes are great canvases for artists to create something beautiful, encouraging,  and thought provoking. Public art offers a new perspective and evokes wonder for the  community,” artist Vixon Sullivan said. “My phase one mural is intended to remind us that we  are all capable and move us closer to self-actualization.”

For more details and instructions, interested artists may visit hattiesburgpublicart.org/call-for artists. 

To learn more about HAPA and for a map of existing public art in Hattiesburg, visit HAPA’s  Facebook and Instagram pages or hattiesburgpublicart.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. In the past six years, HAPA has purchased and placed art throughout the city – in parks, neighborhoods, public buildings, and businesses – while also raising awareness for works of art  already in the area. Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art is made possible through the support of  local organizations and individuals who believe in the importance of public art.