By Mark Woolsey
Smyrna city officials are looking to burnish the city’s growing reputation as a hub of public art.
The chairman of the city council public art committee, council member Rickey Oglesby, says the city seeks an artist or artist team to conceptualize and install a new, large mural in the city public library. The city says it’s looking for artists with excellence and innovation displayed in connection with past artwork, especially on similar projects.
Oglesby says they want the finished project to catch the attention of youngsters, similar to its predecessor.
“It’s a different generation of kids so we want to be sure we keep it interesting,” he told the Courier.
City officials say public art, such as prior projects transforming fire hydrants and utility boxes into striking designs, fosters a strong sense of community and civic pride and is designed to reflect the natural beauty and diversity of Smyrna.
The first such project was a series of frog sculptures dedicated in 2007, while “The Jonquil Bloom” a sculpture near Smyrna Market Village, debuted at the beginning of 2026.
Oglesby says as committee, they will take concepts and designs submitted for their current effort “and we decide as a as a committee with a vote what makes sense for those particular spaces.”
Those seeking more information or to apply should check with the city’s website, smyrnaga.gov