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.
To date, three phases of the project have been unveiled. In total, 44 utility boxes were painted by local and national artists between 2020 and 2022. They connect Hattiesburg’s neighborhoods, main thoroughfares, and the points of interest that make the city special.
Ricardo Moody is a local art teacher and one of 32 artists who contributed to the project. 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 were chosen to paint a box, and three young artists between the ages of 12 and 16 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. Sparkman has since been commissioned by Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art to paint her first large-scale mural after the gained experience.
The HBURG Public Art Trail: Utility Box Edition furthers Hattiesburg’s position as a Top 11 must-see public art destination around the world, as named by Travel + Leisure Magazine in 2022. VisitHATTIESBURG is proud to continue telling the story of Hattiesburg’s creativity through a wave of growth in public art.
“Today, we celebrate the continued artistic found in our community,” Marlo Dorsey, executive director of VisitHATTIESBURG, said. “We appreciate our strengthened relationships with so many talented artists as Hattiesburg emerges 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/.