Augusta artists give Fifth Street Bridge a new look
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Some local artists are working on beautifying the Fifth Street Bridge in Augusta.
On Wednesday, artists were painting the bridge just a few months after it was vandalized.
Artists have been working hard and having fun while creating the paintings to make this area of Augusta bright, colorful and unique.
Some of the artists aren’t from Augusta. Some came as far as Minnesota.
There are 42 murals, 36 artists and one week to transform the road leading up to Fifth Street Bridge.
“Public art really builds community pride. If it’s in a neighborhood, it builds pride for that neighborhood,” said Brenda Durant, executive director for Greater Augusta Arts Council.
It’s a call to artists from all over to showcase their art while also welcoming locals to come watch.
“You see it is very busy. I mean, people are walking up this block from Broad Street to come look. The Riverwalk to look at it just builds pride and for the artists is for us to celebrate the amazing talent we have in town,” said Durant.
All throughout the week artists have been lining the road that leads up to Fifth Street Bridge, painting their murals for everyone to enjoy.
Artist Cole Phail said: “It’s been a really cool experience coming down and working with all these different artists in different places.”
It’s a way for each artist to express themselves, deg their own murals ranging from animals to plants to fun whimsical designs, and then bringing it to life.
“I had the freedom to kind of come up with my own concept, instead of being controlled by a logo or a theme, this was actually very freeing to be able to do what I like to do, you know,” said Phail.
All while creating a new sense of community and putting their touch on Augusta.
Artist Billy S said: “Just sharing paint or I think to just be around the other artists is inspiring, you know, to be accepted and even like allowed to come and create I just think is awesome. It’s just a beautiful thing for the city. And we’re all happy to be a part of it. Really. Just to help. We love the city. We love to make it pretty.”
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