More public art is on the way, but the Greater Augusta Arts Council wants community input.
Voting is underway through midnight on March 27 for the “It All Flows Into the Savannah” storm drain murals, according to Pax Bobrow, the arts council’s project manager.
Talks for the project began well before COVID-19 appeared, said Bobrow. It was Augusta-Richmond County District 8 Commissioner Brandon Garrett who brought the need for the project into the forefront.
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“Water going into the storm drains directly affects the local ecosystem,” Bobrow said.
The call for artists went out earlier this year to submit designs for 12 murals in the downtown area.
“Drain To Savannah” by Nong Von Buedingen is one of more than 70 designs submitted to the “It All Flows Into the Savannah” Storm Drain Mural project. Photo courtesy of the Greater Augusta Arts Council. 
“Savannah River Bound” by Becky Brooker is one of 70 designs submitted for the “It All Flows Into the Savannah” storm drain mural project. Courtesy of the Greater Augusta Arts Council. “Savannah Otters” by Alyssa Beck is one of ore than 70 mural ideas submitted to the “It All Flows Into the Savannah” Storm Drain Mural project. Photo courtesy of the Greater Augusta Arts Council.
Bobrow said there was a short window for artists to get proposals together, and she was concerned they wouldn’t get too many submissions.
“It was an overwhelming response,” she said. “We had 72 designs submitted.”
A couple of the artists submitted more than one proposal, she said. There were 54 artists who want to take part. Many of the artists are younger, which she said was exciting.
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The voting is part of the decision process.
Bobrow said the public arts advisory panel as well as Tonya Bonitatibus with the Savannah Riverkeeper, Oscar Flite, the city’s stormwater services manager, and possibly Garrett, will make the final decision.
Bobrow said one reason for that is to ensure that one artist doesn’t paint more than one mural.
Funding for the project came from the city as well as a grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts. Each artist will receive $500 and paint.
Artists will begin painting on April 5.
Designs are available at augustaarts.com/poll/stormdrains
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There are two sections on the webpage. One of the murals will be at the Augusta Common and will link the area’s two storm drains. Voters can pick their top two favorites from that section.
Voters can pick their top five from the next section which covers the remaining storm drains selected for this project. Voters may only submit their selections once.
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“We’re hopeful to be able to do this a few more times over the coming years,” she said.
Submitted designs are also on display through April 30 at the City Gallery at the Municipal Building.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
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