PUBLIC ART IN MARIETTA
Perhaps nothing activates public areas as much as art. And in Marietta, we have seen the benefit of art installations for both its residents and visitors. In addition to a strong mural program in the City’s downtown area, the Arts Council has proudly mounted temporary (yet forever memorable) installations.
Current Installations
MURAL PROGRAM
A cornerstone of the #mariettaARTscene, the mural program in Downtown Marietta is a community favorite. Each year, the mural program welcomes the addition of new works along with returning favorites.
SCULPTURE TOUR
An exciting program that continues to grow, the sculpture tour displays contemporary 3-dimensional artwork in various public parks throughout Marietta. Stay tuned for the next tour, debuting summer 2024.
m2r traveling fence gallery
The M2R Fence Gallery is a curated installation, debuting trackside in Downtown Marietta in May each year as part of M2R TrailFest. The exhibit features works from photographers and artists, including a student section. After an initial 60-day exhibit in Marietta, the gallery tours throughout cities in Cobb County until the reveal of the next year’s installation.
PAST INSTALLATIONS
ART IN OUR PARKS
We partnered with Marietta City Schools and the City of Marietta to launch “Art in our Parks,” a city-wide art installation that celebrated student artwork in neighborhood parks, presented by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
A.L. Burruss Elementary School •. Dunleith Elementary School •. Hickory Hills Elementary School •. Lockheed Elementary School •. Marietta Center for Advanced Academics •. Marietta High School •. Marietta Middle School •. Marietta Sixth Grade Academy •. Park Street Elementary School •. Sawyer Road Elementary School •. West Side Elementary School
Bright Winter
The 2021 Holiday Season officially kicked off with the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Marietta Square. The Marietta Arts Council partnered with this event for the first time in a new and unique experiential installation on Winters Street, just south of the Marietta Square. The community was invited to be a part of our installation by adding a light to our tree in commemoration and celebration of someone who has been a light in their life. The tree was made from lucite panels repurposed from the Bridge of Hope and Bridge of Heroes that were on display in 2020. Visitors were also gifted an ornament made from the lucite to take home a little part of these installations.
BRIDGE OF HEROES
This pedestrian bridge crosses the South 120 Loop near the intersection at Powder Springs Street. Multi-colored lucite panels were affixed to the structure in a stunning display, utilizing the colors associated with our first responders and health care heroes: red (fire), blue (police), and purple (healthcare workers).
Bridge of Hope
This pedestrian bridge crosses the North 120 Loop at The Brumby Lofts. Multiple jewel-colored lucite panels will be affixed to the structure in a stunning display. As light passes through the panels, those traversing the bridge will experience a stained glass effect. Suspended overhead, white doves made of recycled plastic evoke a sense of hope, and have been dedicated to the Marietta High School Graduating Class of 2020.
Sculpture Tour
A self-guided tour in public parks throughout Downtown Marietta and along the M2R Trail featuring medium to large scale 3D artwork. This 60-day installation debuts annually as part of the M2R TrailFest, an immersive public arts festival and celebration held in early May. Mark your calendars for May 11, 2024.
the public (a)dress
An engaging and original way to gather input about public art, members of our community were able to provide their views on the future of public art in Marietta while collaborating on a one-of-a-kind art installation. The Public (A)Dress was often found at the Marietta Museum of History, and in Glover Park at popular arts festivals and Concerts in the Square.
Free Art Scavenger Hunts
For the 2019 and 2023 M2R TrailFests, Atlanta-based artist Catlanta designed and created pieces of free art that he placed along the trail so that festival attendees could take home their own memento from the day! The scavenger hunt was fierce, with many pieces being found before the artist could post a hint to the location. Free art scavenger hunts will be an ongoing initiative where artists will create and hide free artwork in different areas of the city. Follow along on the Marietta Arts Council's social media @mariettaartscene to find out when the next scavenger hunt will happen!
Keys to the City
Premiering at the 2019 M2R TrailFest, "Keys to the City" is a city-wide initiative featuring pianos painted by local artists. Pianos painted by local artists appear throughout the city and are to be enjoyed by anyone who happens upon one. Become a part of the #mariettaartscene when you sit down at a piano, and let yourself be creative! Remember to tag us so we can share your performance!
Due to the current health climate, this program is temporarily suspended.
Pianos donated by New Song Pianos.
Hope Breaks Through
A mixed media installation created by student artists at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health. The collaged pieces represent various struggles, while superhero Captain Devereux represents our inner self overcoming obstacles.