Morning in the Pine Forest by artist Joe Cowdrey.
As part of the 25th Wildlife Arts Festival, locals and visitors alike took a Walk on the Wild Side in downtown Thomasville, to experience a multi-faceted outdoor public art exhibition featuring the works of local and regional artists. Paintings of native fire-tolerant flora wrapped twenty-five lamp posts, and twenty-five larger-than-life murals of native fauna hung from historic buildings – paying homage to our unique Red Hills Region.
Now that experience is coming to Cairo on Feb. 1. The Thomasville Center for the Arts, in partnership with Lowes, Ashley HomeStore, and Tall Timbers, will take this exhibition on the road, and pass along a selection of 8 murals and 8 flora wraps to Cairo and Metcalfe. Each community will create their own version of a “public art walk” in their downtown, and build interest around their area, using art as a backdrop through March 14.
“The City of Cairo is working diligently on strong guidelines to enable our history to be depicted on permanent murals downtown, and this is the perfect kick off for that,” says Alyssa Blakely, City of Cairo Main Street Director.
On March 18, both towns will hand over the artwork to two more rural communities. “Southern communities are known for their hospitality. If we all work together, and share our unique assets with one another, we will stand stronger in the end,” says Darlene Crosby Taylor, Thomasville Center for the Arts Public Art Director. “Each location will be unique and come to life through art. We encourage you to visit your historic neighbors, and support them.”
All murals and flora wraps are available for sale, with proceeds supporting both the artists and youth art programs at the Thomasville Center for the Arts.
