Public Arts Commission outlines 2027 priorities: mural marketing blitz, festival and smaller visible projects

At its Aug. 27 meeting the Chamblee Public Arts Commission reviewed community-sourced project ideas for its 2027 budget, prioritizing actions that expand visible, accessible public art and strengthen the mural program.

Shan presented the ranked list and said the top two priorities were a Mural Match Marketing Blitz and a Mural Fest. "The top 2 were the Mural Match Marketing Blitz. This is something that should be very simple to do. I think we have an estimated marketing cost of like $500," Shan said. Commissioners discussed pairing a marketing blitz with targeted outreach to local businesses and using smaller, high-visibility projects (bus benches, tiny treasures) to expand public art across the city.

The commission noted that larger projects — for example the Shamley map sculpture and crosswalk murals — may require additional funding, partnerships and longer planning horizons, and several items were recommended for exploration or deferral to 2028. Staff will incorporate the prioritized ideas into a foundational budget for the September meeting and return with more detailed cost and implementation options.