culture
Augusta's New Murals Draw Community Together Downtown
New works and ongoing projects draw attention through community participation and visible additions downtown.
How we reported this
The Greater Augusta Arts Council recently installed the mural titled 'Ours' at 8th and Broad Street. Local artist Baruti Tucker designed the piece with participation from over 100 people.
Community Participation in New Works
Residents note the scale of involvement in the 'Ours' mural as a point of discussion. The project adds to existing pieces such as the 'Spirit of Funk: James Brown Mural' at 190 James Brown Blvd. by Cole Phail and 'Get Up Augusta' at 1002 Broad St. by Jason Craig. These locations sit along streets that see regular foot traffic in the downtown area.
Established Public Art Features
Painted utility boxes appear on nearly every block. The first crosswalk mural in the city sits at the East Boundary and Telfair intersection and carries the themes of 'PEACE, LOVE, and TOGETHERNESS'. Thirty-seven artists completed murals on the Freedom Pedestrian Bridge at Fifth Street during a weeklong project that finished in April 2024.
Active Local Artists
Jason Craig and Addison Niday continue to produce works in the area. A revolving mural currently shows 'Welcome to Augusta' by Emily Rahn. These efforts build on the collection of public pieces documented by the Greater Augusta Arts Council.
Locals discuss the projects because the new installation and the earlier bridge work remain visible along major downtown routes. The utility boxes and crosswalk add everyday encounters with the art. The Greater Augusta Arts Council lists the locations on its public art resources, and visitors can view the pieces directly at the named intersections and streets.