Catlanta Signs On to Partner with City of Tucker
April 24, 2023
The City of Tucker awarded their first public art contract to Catlanta during the second meeting of Council for April. Catlanta artist Rory Hawkins was present during the meeting to meet the Council and unveil the proposed design.
Since incorporating in 2016, The City of Tucker has not had an ordinance on record concerning public art, and this city initiated mural is the first step in exploring the creation of an ordinance. The call for public art in Tucker has been supported by various plans throughout the years including the Tucker Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Master Plan, Trail Master Plan, Downtown Tucker Alley Activation and Art in the Alleys. With this strong support the City decided to test the waters with its first mural on a small retaining wall on the newly finished Model Trail Segment along Main Street.
The call for artists garnered 10 submittals of which eight were qualified. The City created a selection panel of members from the Art in the Alleys steering committee, Board members of the Friends of Tucker Path, the Tucker Middle School Art teacher and the owner of Kaizen Collaborative. The selection committee based their decision on the craftmanship, quality of design, how the design fits the location and size of the retaining wall, and how well the design reflects the themes listed in the bid.
“This has been an exciting process for our city,” said Courtney Smith, Community Development Director and lead for the project. “We are thrilled to partner with Rory (Catlanta) and have him create our first mural which will help activate the trail and energize Downtown Tucker.”
Hawkins is a renowned local artist who is dedicated to sharing art, making it fun and accessible for all. His design fits the shape and size of the retaining wall perfectly, engaging kids right at their level, and helps lead people down the trail to the future downtown park along Railroad Avenue. It is a fun interpretation of the provided theme of: Play, Creativity, and Activity for all Ages – public art in Tucker should be engaging and interactive while further inspiring creativity and active play for a diversity of residents and visitors. The proposed design is full of whimsy and includes Catlanta’s signature feline as a Tucker Tiger.
The mural is slated to be completed this summer.