Have you ever walked around a city where you could find art around every corner and thought about how much you loved walking around this particular city? It’s no secret that we as humans love making and looking at art, and with the conclusion of this year’s Macon Mural Festival, that fact stands as strong as ever. But what is it about public art that’s so special, and why do we need it?
To understand why we need public art, we first need to understand what public art is. Any time you walk through a city and find vibrant murals on the sides of buildings that stretch higher than your eyes can comprehend, or abstract sculptures that kids play on and people take pictures of, you’re looking at public art. From murals and sculptures to functional artwork like benches and Little Free Libraries, public art can be found in all shapes and sizes. So why public art, and why now?
One benefit of having public art is that it’s free and accessible. Art shouldn’t have to be something hidden away from the public; after all, creating and engaging with art is about as natural as the ground we walk on and has been a part of civilization since the dawn of time. Having art pieces as a part of your community that anyone can walk by, view, and interact with in their own way is a great way to get more people to get involved with the arts, which can inspire people to want to create art themselves. In fact, public art in Downtown Macon has done a great job of inspiring younger artists.
Earlier this year, St. Peter Claver Catholic School’s 6th grade class based their Spring project on Alex Mendez’s sculpture “Peace”, which can be found on Mulberry Street in Downtown Macon. The kids created their own sculptures that mirrored Mendez’s peace sign, using vibrant colors to put their own spin on it. When learning about this project, Mendez said, “It’s moments like this, seeing my work and my messages resonate with people that make it worth it,” and adds that it’s “easily one of the highest points in my career.”
Students from St. Peter Claver Catholic School’s 6th grade class working on an art project inspired by Alex Mendez’s “Peace” sculpture.
Encouraging people to embrace their inner artist is especially important today, as the arts and humanities have taken a hit in grant funding and support across the country, from the National Endowment for the Arts’ cancellation of their decades-long Creative Writing Fellowship, to museums facing threats of censorship. Even when times get tough, having art around you that pushes you to create is the best way to stay inspired and motivated.
Public art is also a great way of improving the city’s overall wellbeing. Too many cities now are designed to prioritize cars over people, with limited if zero walking space and uninspiring buildings that passersby wouldn’t give a second glance. Public art transforms cities into a more engaging experience. Now, people are encouraged to get out of their cars and walk around the area, taking pictures with artwork and treating the city as their personal art scavenger hunt.
With more and more people engaging with the art, these pieces become landmarks and can increase tourism. Plus, higher demand for public art can create more opportunities for artists to take on jobs with help from the city’s funding, which in turn allows them to get their art out into the world and make a name for themselves.
But public art isn’t just beneficial for Macon’s wellbeing; it also provides a range of benefits to people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Despite recent nationwide controversy surrounding safety concerns about crosswalk art, studies show that asphalt art actually improves safety. A 2022 Asphalt Art Safety Study released by Bloomberg Philanthropies showed a 50% reduction in car crashes involving pedestrians after introducing asphalt art to the community. In this same study, total crashes dropped by 17% at sites that contained roadway art, and the frequency of drivers yielding to pedestrians with the right of way increased by 27% (Source: https://assets.bbhub.io/dotorg/sites/43/2022/04/Asphalt-Art-Safety-Study.pdf).
Not only do these works of art make streets safer, but they also encourage people to get out more and engage with their community. In a recent post, Erin Hawkins—a local artist and co-organizer of 478 Creatives—talked about her efforts with Bike Walk Macon to facilitate more than two dozen asphalt art projects to help calm traffic and support street safety.
By painting crosswalks and streets, she hopes that these efforts will not only improve safety, but also support walkability and celebrate local artists. In her words: “These murals don’t just brighten our blocks—they save lives and make our neighborhoods more welcoming for everyone.”
Bike Walk Macon volunteers working on one of many asphalt art projects.
In terms of mental health benefits, public art is a great way to lower your stress levels and improve your mood when you walk around. Going out for a walk is already a great mental booster, but imagine how much better you’d feel getting to walk around a town surrounded by art? To quote one of the students in St. Peter Claver Catholic School’s 6th grade class, “My favorite part was when I painted it [the “Peace” sculpture]. It was satisfying and it took my anger away.”
So why public art? As Macon continues to grow (and with it, its art community), we need public art to help make the city the best place to be. Public art encourages city growth, walkability, and overall improvement in mental and physical wellbeing. Macon is a culturally rich city, and there’s no better way to keep the community alive and engaged than by supporting local art and providing people access to various means of creative expression.
Mural by Bobby MaGee Lopez from 2025 Macon Mural Festival
“Circles in the Park” by Kathy Wright, located in Coleman Hill Historic Park
H&H/Allman Brothers Band Mural by Steven Teller, located outside H&H
Little Free Library, located in Macon Dog Park
“Heart of Friendship” located outside Chamber of Commerce
Macon-Shaped Benches by Georgia Artisan Furnishing, located in Addison Tinsley Park
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