Chris Johnson, assistant professor of visual art at Andrew College, is back at it again, thanks to a matching grant awarded by the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism Product Development office. The TPD Grant Award for $10,000 for the project named “The Magic of Murals” is allowing Johnson to perform his magic once more as he works on painting two large murals in downtown Cuthbert. In partnership with the City of Cuthbert, the matching grant was awarded to Andrew College.

Johnson remarked, “I began the concept process by meeting with a select committee of community members to better understand their vision for the function and aesthetic for the alley, now being known as Magnolia Alley. I wanted to commemorate historical and cultural figures from the town as well as buildings and landmarks in and around Cuthbert.

“My purpose for creating these murals was to make the alley more visually appealing and to highlight the history and people of Cuthbert. The overarching goal with all of my public murals is to create a sense of civic pride within the community and to refresh the public’s vision of their community.”

Mary Jane Salter, special assistant to the president for development at Andrew College and writer of the grant application said, “The project’s ultimate goal is for Andrew College to lead revitalization in downtown Cuthbert, increase college enrollment and attract more tourists. The two large murals are being painted to enhance the arts in downtown Cuthbert. This scenic location is being ultimately designed to become a gathering place primarily for the arts which include music, visuals arts and theatre.”

Thanks in part to this project, the City of Cuthbert, Andrew College, and the community at large will become closer partners in downtown redevelopment and better focused on developing the tourism economy.

The mural dedication will be held during the Arts Around the Square Festival on March 23.