‘It’s just massive.’ This public art project will produce the largest mural in Columbus
When it’s finished, this privately funded public art project being painted along the Chattahoochee Riverwalk will be the largest mural in Columbus.
At more than 6,000 square feet, the mural stretches along the riverbank’s three-tiered retaining wall where the Synovus Centre, 1111 Bay Ave., overlooks the Riverwalk between two of the most popular attractions on the riverfront: Waveshaper Island and Woodruff Park.
“The goal with this project was to create opportunities for artists who choose to live, work and/or raise a family in Columbus to showcase their work on a larger scale, collaborate to produce an iconic mural for our community, fairly compensate artists for their work, and grow our skill sets and networks,” Dragonfly Trails Network executive director Becca Zajac told the Ledger-Enquirer.
The 22-mile Riverwalk is part of the nonprofit Dragonfly’s 33-mile network of multi-use greenway rails promoting outdoor recreation, transportation and connectivity.
The mural’s design comprises images of the natural and built environment around the Riverwalk. They include species such as turtles, dragonflies, blue herons, bass fish and shoal lilies, as well as past and current structures paying homage to the city’s history, such as a riverboat, fountain and mill smokestack, and a tribute to the revitalization of the river with an image of a freestyle kayaker surfing the Good Wave.
And the words “COLUMBUS GEORGIA” will remain emblazoned in capital letters on the top tier of the retaining wall.
Why the Chattahoochee Riverwalk mural project began
To solve an erosion problem along this part of the Riverwalk, the Columbus Consolidated Government spent $3.3 million to install an alternative retaining wall last year. The concrete terraces with artificial turf replaced the gabion wall, composed of rock, dirt and wire.
That sparked the Dragonfly Trails Network to think of a creative way to beautify this expanse of concrete, using it as a canvas for a mural.
“We thought there might be an opportunity to really create a beautiful scene here,” Zajac said. “So people, when they’re running on the Riverwalk or walking on the Riverwalk, have something to look at it and take pictures with.”
Zajac and Mike Jones, senior brand designer at Heyo and cofounder of the Creative South Conference, put together six local artists to develop the mural’s concept. Design team members along with Jones are:
Raven Henderson, illustrator and volunteer teacher at Clement Arts
Vinh Huynh, student artist at Columbus State University
Joseph Melancon, artist and designer working under the name Lost Rest
Harrison Mills, senior art director at Outfront Media and a graphic designer
Samantha Yoo, designer and assistant professor of art at Columbus State University.
After several months, the team took elements from each member’s proposal to produce a collaborative design that was presented to city officials for permission and potential donors for private funding.
In December, the Columbus Council unanimously approved the design, and the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley identified a private fund to fully pay for the project in January. Dragonfly and city officials signed a memorandum of understanding for the project in May.
“This project is one that all of us at the community foundation are very excited about,” said Betsy Covington, the foundation’s president and CEO. “… We are thrilled they are using local artists, and it’s going to provide a real cheerful and bright place for people to hang out and be proud of their community, and the view (across the Chattahoochee River) from Phenix City is going to be pretty great too.”
Covington and Zajac declined to disclose the private funding’s dollar amount.
How the Chattahoochee Riverwalk mural is being painted
Chris Johnson, a muralist and retired Andrew College professor of art, is leading the design team in painting the mural.
“Not only is Chris helping us install the mural, but he’s teaching six other local designers who may have aspirations (to become muralists learn) how to actually install a mural,” Zajac said.
Johnson used some math and a digital projector to outline the design on the retaining wall so the painting could begin.
Since they started July 5, the crew has worked nightly from 7:30 p.m. to often past midnight, avoiding the hottest parts of the day and allowing them to keep their day jobs. The Riverwalk’s lamps provide enough light after sunset, Johnson said.
Johnson estimated, by the time they finish the painting at the end of this month, they will use 45-50 gallons of paint and primer.
“It’s just a really impressive structure and a really impressive mural to put on the structure,” he said. “It’s a cool project to be a part of. … It’s just massive.”
Johnson has been painting murals for about seven years. His other murals in Columbus are at the Columbus Public Library, Heritage Tower, Highside Market and the Light Up Midtown series of murals along 13th Street. He explained why he agreed to be part of this project.
“It’s kind of like a centerpiece to the Riverwalk, and it’s a great opportunity for any artist, so I jumped at it,” he said. “I’ve got some other large-scale work in Columbus, and I think this is just a great addition to my portfolio, and it was an opportunity to work with some great designers from Columbus.”
How the Chattahoochee Riverwalk mural will be maintained
Understanding the Riverwalk sometimes floods from a deluge of rain, the design team selected paint and sealant to withstand such conditions, Zajac said. They also are prepared to respond to graffiti and other vandalism to the mural.
“We do have (private) maintenance funding so that if anything were to happen, we’re able to make sure it’s back to its restored beauty,” she said.
The paint is a special latex enamel for exterior structures to withstand damage from the sun, mold and bacteria, Johnson said.
“It almost forms like a polymer surface,” he said. “It’s easy to clean. It’s probably the most durable paint you can buy.”
A sealant will be applied atop the paint for an extra layer of protection, allowing graffiti to be erased by pressure washing without ruining the mural. The project hasn’t suffered any vandalism, Johnson said.
“That was a big concern that people had voiced to me,” he said. “But I’ve never incurred anybody vandalizing any (mural) I’ve done. In fact, I had heard that it might deter it.”
In addition to adding beauty to the Riverwalk, the mural could provide another, Zajac suggested.
“We like to call it Columbus’ biggest scavenger hunt,” she said. “When this thing is finished, you’re going to see close to 20 different shapes, animals, items, etc. It’ll be a great activity for kids to come out, or it’ll just be nice for people to come and look at and sit out and enjoy the river.”
The mural’s dedication ceremony hasn’t been scheduled, but it’s expected to be conducted next month.
Meanwhile, Zajac said Dragonfly welcomes donations to help pay for maintenance of this mural and to create more public art along the trails. Contributions can be made on Dragonfly’s website or by mail at P.O. Box 2666, Columbus, GA, 31902.
