In Plain Sight
The City of Valdosta created the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) to purchase, promote, and maintain public art throughout the community with the purpose of providing lasting aesthetic value for all citizens and visitors to our beautiful city.
The PAAC’s mission is to advocate for and sponsor the preservation and protection of public art while promoting economic development and strengthening community bonds.
This page celebrates the vibrant art scene across the City of Valdosta!
You'll find a section highlighting the art within the Downtown Arts District, as well as throughout the entire city.
We extend our gratitude to the Valdosta Daily Times for providing the photos and descriptions of the featured artworks. Enjoy!
Map of Art in Downtown Valdosta:
Art inside of Downtown:
A.) Azalea Mural - located at 136 N. Ashley Street
This vibrant mural bursts with beautiful flowers, perfectly capturing the spirit of Valdosta, famously known as the "Azalea City."
B.) Valdosta Runs Circles - located at 118 N. Patterson Street.
This massive 49’ x 14’ mural features 7’ circles depicting Valdosta symbols like Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta State University, Georgia Peach, and more. The last circle showcases Natalie’s design, and she was later asked to extend the mural around the corner to highlight Georgia, with Valdosta proudly marked on the map.
C.) Love Where you Live - located at 119 w. Florida Avenue
A bold and dynamic mural capturing Valdosta's city mantra, marking the beginning of the South side's Downtown revitalization
D.) Progression - located at 109 S. Ashley Street
After collaborating as the interior designer on this historic project with BFB Gladwin—now Gladwin Vaughn Architecture—Milko envisioned the perfect graphics for both locations: the lobby and the 4th floor. The lobby will feature a detailed map of downtown Valdosta, enhanced by dimensional graphics that chronicle the building's timeline. On the 4th floor, the training room will pay homage to the building's history, showcasing all the names it has carried over the years.
E.) Low-Poly Heart - located at 300 N. Lee Street.
A shiny, 3D aluminum heart with crisscrossing metal bands, all diamond-plated and full of sparkle, captures the idea of a community where everyone’s connected. Crafted with the magic of laser cutting and 3D printing, it's a cool blend of art and tech!
F.) Mini Mosaic Mural - located on the Corner of Central Avenue and Lee Street.
One mini mural bringing a burst of eclectic charm to downtown Valdosta!
G.) Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial - 201. E MLK Jr. Drive
At MLK Memorial Park in Valdosta, GA, you’ll find Georgia’s tallest Martin Luther King Jr. monument—standing 41 feet high and inscribed with his iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech. Former City Councilman Willie Head, who finished his term in 2009, called it one of his proudest achievements. A true landmark of vision and legacy!
H.) Heart Box. - 327 Ashley Street
Another one mini mural bringing a burst of eclectic charm to downtown Valdosta!
I.) Love Lock Fence - 117 N. Ashley Street
Valdosta is full of wonderful attractions, and our love lock fence is a standout. Since its installation in February 2019, this fence has been adorned with hundreds of locks, each symbolizing the lasting connections of love between friends and family. Bring your own lock and leave a piece of your heart in Valdosta.
J.) Attainable - 114 N. Ashley Street
Each panel of this mural captures a unique facet of the arts community, highlighting the journey from dreams to reality. The silhouettes invite you to step into the scene, standing face-to-face with your passion, and remind you that no dream is too out of the ordinary to pursue. Let this mural inspire you to keep pushing forward, no matter how unconventional your path may seem.
K.) Satilla #3 - Corner of Patterson Street.
What started as a simple workshop soon blossomed into something special. Kids and locals created clay tiles depicting the region's rich history, especially the agricultural shift from Troupeville to Valdosta for train access. The tiles, bursting with intricate details, deserved to be showcased. Once fired and glazed, they were framed using metal scraps like bicycle pedals and wrenches. The display came to life, telling Valdosta's unique story through a captivating blend of history and art!
L.) Artie, The Pig - Toombs Street Parking Lot (Behind Art and Soul)
After 7 years of seeing an electrical meter that looked a bit like a pig, the owner of Art & Soul decided it was time to bring her vision to life! Now, the cheerful piggy meter brightens everyone's day with a smile of its own!
M.) Greetings From Downtown Valdosta - Corner of Patterson St. and Central Ave.
This latest art piece is all about celebrating everything Valdosta has to offer! It even features some intriguing historical artifacts that give you a peek into the city's past. Can you find them?
N.) Un-arranged Flowers: Where is Mack, Now That We Need Him? - 116 McKey Street.
A sculpture celebrating the brilliance of William "Mack" Freeman, the visionary behind the Flower Gallery. Mack had a magical touch, transforming even the simplest flowers and materials into breathtaking works of art.
O.) Decades of Change - Across from Dosta Theater
This planter is a captivating public art installation that encapsulates four decades of local history, spanning from 1905 to 1944. Standing 39 inches tall, it is adorned with handmade tiles that showcase architectural elements, prominent figures, vintage vehicles, and significant news headlines from the era. With the dedication of over 40 volunteers, this project brings history to life. You can find it on Ashley Street, right across from the Doster Theater in Valdosta, GA
P.) Tacos & Tequila
This beloved downtown Valdosta spot bursts with vibrant Mexican flair, featuring colorful murals and lively decor that make it a local favorite.
Q.) The River of Life in The Azalea City - 114 N. Ashley Street
This vibrant mosaic time-travel piece vividly captures the region's journey through time—from its primordial beginnings, through the age of dinosaurs and Native American history, to the present day. Crafted over several weeks by dedicated volunteer artists, this work showcases the collaborative spirit of the community. Special recognition is given to Julie Smith, Sandy Jones, Kristin Stengl, and Jim McCambridge for their exceptional artistic contributions.
R.) Coffee Drip
Following the completion of the Bennie’s Alley Mural and GUD Coffee’s move to the McKey Building, Daniel Bayman commissioned a new mural for the space. Milko, the interior designer for the McKey Building project, chose a minimalist, high-contrast design to match the first-floor decor. The vibrant mural, a collaboration with barista Alora Bethay, features the GUD logo energetically spilling from a cup as it’s poured from an espresso portafilter.
Art at Turner Center of the Arts
1. Sentinel - Located at 605 N. Patterson Street
This captivating piece was installed in the sculpture garden during the Turner Center’s exhibit of Wilby’s work. When the exhibit concluded, Wilby graciously allowed it to remain in its place, likely due to its impressive heft of 300 pounds. The metal plate features six striking “Dragon teeth” shapes and two equally compelling “eyes” that seem to keep vigilant watch. Its design includes metal strips creating a shuttered effect, with jutting bullets and blades on one side and a bold male power symbol on the back, all contributing to the powerful image of a sentinel on guard.
2. The Lion of Judah - Located at 605 N. Patterson Street
The Lion of Judah is a recurring symbol throughout the Bible, representing the Hebrew tribe of Judah in Genesis and signifying Jesus in the Book of Revelation. The sculpture was on loan to the center for a year in 2015. However, in 2016, Taylor took the sculpture to participate in VSU’s spring senior art exhibition. Its absence was deeply felt at the Turner Center, leading to a campaign to acquire it as a permanent fixture. Taylor utilized a range of materials, including scrap steel, rebar, engine parts, and old tools, to create this sculpture.
3. Dawat: A Summons To A Royal Feast - Located at 605 N. Patterson Street
Crafted as one of the inaugural public art installations gracing the exterior of the Arts Center, this sculpture is a 100-pound, ½-inch steel circular plate. Its design features a series of interwoven circles and curves, elegantly balancing the interplay of symmetry and asymmetry.
4. Dragonfly Mural - Located at 605 N. Patterson Street
A community art initiative showcased on the southern facade of the Turner Center's Annex Building.
5. Curlew Liftoff - Located at 605 N. Patterson Street
A donation in honor of the Art Park's grand unveiling, this majestic sculpture stands at an impressive 105 inches. Crafted from metal, it captures the grace of a long-billed curlew with its wings fully unfurled in flight. Situated to the left of the pavilion, it extends a grand and welcoming embrace to all who enter the park.
6. Primal Unity - Located at 527 N. Patterson Street
This piece embodies the genesis of time through the interplay of the four primordial elements. Earth is conveyed through the grounding bronze base, while Water is reflected in the serene blue sections. Air, with its vibrant yellow spikes, suggests movement and freedom, and Fire, in its dynamic red hues, brings intensity. Together, these elements engage in a harmonious yet contrasting dance, encapsulating the essence of "Primal Unity."
7. Interstellar Object #5 - Located at 527 N. Patterson Street
Created in 2005, this 16 x 5 x 4-foot sculpture, crafted from sheet aluminum, stands as a testament to artistry and precision. The piece was shaped, welded, and painted, with the final coat applied by Johnny Thomas “Dude” of Thomas Automotive. Titled Interstellar Object 005, it captures the essence of the unknown, posing a dual mystery: is it an object poised for launch, or one that has just landed? The sculpture invites curiosity, suggesting that perhaps one day only its lower sections will be seen at the Turner Center for the Arts, with the top having ventured to distant realms.
8. Art Park Mural - Located at 605 N. Patterson Street
A Mural created as a backdrop for the stage at the Art Park
9. Baby the Rain Must Fall - Located at 605 N. Patterson Street.
A contribution toward the inauguration of the Art Park in 2019, this 119-inch metal sculpture—an ethereal interplay of clouds and faucets—graces the space to the right of the pavilion, adding a touch of imaginative elegance to the surroundings.
10. Community Mural - Located at 605 N. Patterson Street.
A five-panel mural, hand-painted with care by dedicated volunteers, adorns the space. These vibrant panels, nestled alongside chalkboards, create a canvas for community members to engage, share, and connect in a tapestry of artistic expression.
11. Water Fountain Located at 104 Webster Street
Two children pause their park play to sip from a bronze fountain, a timeless piece in the pottery studio. The gentle scene of a boy aiding a girl in quenching their thirst evokes serene beauty.