Murals on the Move

About the Project

The Murals on the Move project is an initiative by Chattahoochee Main Street made possible by a grant through Social Current and the Aramark ABC Day Grant Program. This project aims to accomplish the following:
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1. Enhance and beautify the Chattahoochee downtown environment by bringing works of art into outdoor public spaces.
2. Make art accessible to the entire community, including residents and visitors.
3. Support local and regional artists.
4. Create a local feature that can attract visitors to help boost the local economy.

Theme: “Grow Chattahoochee”

Artists are invited to explore the idea of “Grow Chattahoochee.” The word “grow” could encompass many ideas, such as exploring what it means to build and grow our community, representing local flora and fauna, or considering the roots of Chattahoochee and its past. A few questions to consider when exploring a concept for your mural are:
What images represent growing community, growing the arts, growing economically, or growing our tourism base?
Where have we been and where do we want to go?
What are local landmarks that represent our roots?
What are the native flora and fauna that represent our area?

Project Details

CMS is seeking 7 artists from our local community, including Gadsden, Jackson, and Leon County, Florida, and Decatur County, Georgia. Artists will be selected by the CMS Design Committee. Number of artists selected will depend on funds available and cost of material at time of purchase. Artists will be provided with primed canvas tarps that are either 5x7 feet or 6x10 feet in size and suitable for outdoor use and will also be provided with exterior grade paint needed to complete their design for the canvas. Artists will be required to sign a waiver/release form if chosen for the project. The completed tarps will not be returned to artists, and CMS will auction the tarps to raise funds for the program. The waiver grants CMS the right to use images of the mural in promotional material and advertising as well as on merchandise such as postcards, stickers, etc. Artists will retain copyrights to their artwork. The completed murals will be revealed to the public at a Murals on the Move Unveiling held on September 21st, 2024 in Chattahoochee at Heritage Park. Artists are asked to make every effort to be in attendance. Each artist will be allowed to set up a booth/tent at no charge to sell artwork.

Artist Requirements

A sketch of your proposed mural
A brief (250 words or less) description of how your concept fits the theme
Brief Artist Bio
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Artists

Devonte King, your favorite neighborhood artist, whose journey is deeply rooted in his hometown of Quincy, FL. His artistic passion ignited at an early age, drawing inspiration from the community that shaped him. Over the span of twenty plus years, Devonte has diligently refined his craft, introducing a new wave of artistry to his locality. He is celebrated for his versatile and expressive paintings, characterized by their freehand technique. His works span a wide spectrum, from intricate portraits to vibrant seasonal storefront murals. Devonte’s art has a transformative effect, offering viewers a fresh perspective through his unique artistic lens. In April 2023, Devonte achieved a significant milestone by hosting his inaugural art exhibition titled “UNLOCKED: Unraveling the Layers.” This event not only showcased his artistic evolution but also marked a pivotal moment in his career. Furthermore, allowing him to establish the KGM Scholarship Fund, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing aspiring artists and students facing financial challenges. Devonte King exemplifies a profound dedication to both artistry and community engagement. His belief that art transcends mere objects is evident in his work and initiatives, which through his creative endeavors and civic contributions. Devonte continues to inspire others, affirming that art is an enriching experience that fosters connection and understanding.

Julia Sapronetti from an early age has been interested in art. She's taken great inspiration from her art teacher in elementary and high school and also studied at Lively Technical school in the area of Graphic Design. Her other talents include making dreamcatchers, beadwork , writing, and sewing. She now specializes in oil paint but has also dabbled in acrylic and watercolor.
Her main interest is capturing the lively outside world, from busy city streets to peaceful forests. Julia hopes to continue her artistic journey to highlight the beauty of God’s creation.

Susan Sapronetti is passionate about preserving her heritage through art. She is a member of the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe. She is a multi – talented artist with skills in photography, painting, beadwork, sewing, weaving and a variety of other crafts. She has sewn for over thirty years and enjoys keeping alive the art of Native American traditional clothing making custom regalia. She attended art related classes throughout school including a degree of photography from Lively Vo-Tech. A member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association and Council on Cuture & Art. She has shown in Gadsden Art show, LeMoyne, local galleries, juried competitions and other events.

Eric Sapronetti is originally from Ohio, but moved to Florida in 1980. He is a graduate of Florida State University, with a BA in Art Education. As a Christian, Eric derives great inspiration from God's Creation. He considers God to be the Ultimate Artist. Eric's favorite scenes are those of the North Florida coastline with it's mixture of mossy oaks, pines and palms. He also enjoys the marshes, grassy coastal flats as well as the sandy beaches! His artistic talents first received recognition in the early 80s in the area of photography. Today he is also recognized for his paintings. As well as paintings, he also enjoys painting murals with his wife, Susan. They both have produced murals locally to include Tallahassee, Havana, Chattahoochee, and Crawfordville.