For one bright Saturday afternoon, downtown Smyrna felt a little more colorful.
At Village Green, Brush & Box Fest turned an ordinary weekend moment into an open-air art experience, filling the space with friendly conversation, curious onlookers and the kind of creative energy that makes people stop and stay awhile.
The event featured 20 talented artists from across metro Atlanta, each helping transform five 4-by-8-foot utility boxes into bold, beautiful works of public art. What began as blank surfaces quickly became something much more meaningful — murals filled with personality, color, movement and imagination.
Created in support of the City’s Public Art Master Plan, Brush & Box Fest was designed to raise awareness of public art while highlighting the incredible talent found throughout the region. But it also did something public art does so well: it gave people a reason to pause, gather and see a familiar place in a fresh new way.
And the best part? The experience did not end when the paint dried.
The completed mural boxes will remain on display throughout the summer at Village Green in downtown Smyrna before being relocated to another area of the city. So, the next time you are near the heart of downtown, take a little stroll, find a favorite box and snap a photo. You may just discover a new artist to follow — and another reason to love Smyrna.
Brush & Box Fest Artists to Follow
Alison Hamil — @alisonhamilart
Astha Thakkar — @first_things_first_
Brandon Sadler — @risingredlotus
Brittani Singleton — @_theartinliving
Elaine Stephenson — @artsy_elaine
Emilie Scalise — @emilie_scalise_art
Eric Nine — @eric_nine
Igwe Waters — @artbyquay81
Jaliyah Nicole — @jbrant28
Kristen Ramsey — @kristenramseyart
Lacey Longino — @muralsbylaceyandfriends
Larkin Henry Ford — @larkinford
Leak Kellaway — @kellawaycreative
Miles Davis — @massiveburn
Mungo Ligoya — @mungodoesart
Oni Culbreath — @onii.lotus
Rose Wambsganss — @art_by_rose_w
Ryan Coleman — @ryancolemanstudio
Trudy Tran — @trudytranart
Zoya Aly — @zoyathecreatress