Brandon's Box of Local Delights: "Mural Mania!"

I am a MANIAC!!!

(Ok, not really.)…(but, now that I think about it…maybe?...)

ANYWAYS!

I mean that I am a MANIAC for our local MURALS that we have plastered around our town of Statesboro! Have you ever noticed the array of murals that we have decorating the walls of our historic buildings in downtown Statesboro?

It’s quite impressive!

In fact, it’s so impressive, that I’m brushing off my Local Delights Box to squeeze a few of them (…or all of them!) into its confines.

As always: wish me luck! (*exhales a preemptive sigh of local delight*)

BUT FIRST, let’s stroll our historic downtown of Statesboro and go absolutely MANIC for the MURALS that give our small-town its quaint charm!

The Monte Compartri

I had never seen this mural until March of 2023.

However, the accompanying plaque from the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority (DSDA) states that this mural was completed back in June of 2021…(So that’s a matter that I’ll have to scold myself for after I finish this article, during my personal time!)

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But this mural is located in the newly renovated alley next to the Averitt Center for the Arts at 8 Siebald St.

According to the DSDA’s website, the 2021 Downtown Art Alley project was made possible by the Vibrant Communities grant.

The alley displays an Italian-Style theme, which alludes to the atmosphere of Monte Compatri, Italy, which was named Statesboro’s sister city in October of 2016.

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All in all:

this mural is interesting,

unique,

beautiful,

and drove me positively MANIC!

Delight SECURED!!!

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For more information on the Monte Compatri mural, please visit the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority’s website at https://statesborodowntown.com/2021/05/28/downtown-art-alley-project-complete/

The Fabulous Fifty of 1906

Our next mural can be seen on the wall of 48 East Main Street facing Statesboro City Hall.

It’s quite expansive, as it takes up most of that wall. This mural is titled “The Fabulous Fifty of 1906” which was painted by artists David Boatwright and Michael Kuffel from Lucky boy Art. Furthermore, the mural was commissioned by the Bulloch County Historical Society.

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The mural depicts the return of 50 men from Bulloch County who traveled to Savannah for a bid session which determined which Georgia community would house the First District Agricultural and Mechanical School.

Over time, the First District Agricultural and Mechanical School has now transformed into what we know today as Georgia Southern University!

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How cool!! Delight SECURED!

For more information on the Fabulous Fifty of 1906 mural, please visit the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority’s website at https://statesborodowntown.com/2020/02/14/as-the-fabulous-fifty-make-a-new-appearance/

Over the Top: A Celebration for Education

This mural is located across the street from Statesboro's City Hall as well.

It honors Professor William James, Mrs. Virginia Russell, and all teachers who show faith in their students, causing their students to develop faith in themselves. How inspiring! This mural was sponsored by the Bulloch County School System in Honor of Statesboro’s bicentennial (1803-2003) and was designed and painted by Greg Carter with assistance from Fred Conte.

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Get in my Box!!!

(...and teach me some new vocabulary and arithmetic while you’re at it! Hah!)

For more information on the Statesboro Bicentennial Murals, please visit https://www.wtoc.com/story/1264756/statesboro-bicentennial-murals/ or https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1025&context=pub-history-documents

The Vintage Ladies

Now, this mural is simplistic and elegant.

It modestly shows two ladies crossing the street...

Except…

they never make it across the street….cause they’re painted on a mural…

I dig it!!!

Excuse me ladies, could you fancy my “Delights Box” by taking residence in it??...

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Oh….

that’s ok…take your time…

…Delight, SECURED!...

(…I think…

eventually…)

The “Fly Like A Bird”

This mural is possibly one of the trendiest and most indie murals we have in the Boro.

Tons of locals from the youngest to oldest indulge this mural with a picture for their Instagram feed daily.

Some call it the “Free Flying” wall mural, others call it the “Birds Mural.” I call it the “Fly Like a Bird Mural.”

But I think that’s part of the mural's charm.

Simply put:

you are FREE to call it whatever you’d like! (Just make sure you get a picture and post it!)

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Fly into my Box, you local birds!!!!

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The River People

This mural depicts life in Bulloch County in the late archaic period (C.A. 3000-1000 BCE). The mural was painted by the artists David Boatwright and Michael Kuffel. During this period, the environment of Bulloch County and South Georgia had become warmer and initially wetter with rich and diverse resources for hunter gatherers.

This mural depicts the daily life of indigenous Bulloch County communities and how they used the local resources to survive and thrive in their native tribes.

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Simply awesome and SECURED!

For more information on The River People mural please visit our featured article by Dewayne Grice at https://www.griceconnect.com/featured/statesboros-second-mural-depicting-native-american-history-now-complete-video-6504064

The Statesboro Bicentennial

This mural recognizes the Bicentennial birthday of the town of Statesboro.

Statesboro’s Bicentennial is documented as going from 1803-2003. The Bicentennial Celebration of Statesboro’s 200^th birthday program was held on December 19, 2003 from 3p-7p.

During the celebration, multiple local murals were unveiled around town, which honored countless individuals and organizations who had impacted Statesboro over the past 200 years!

This is nostalgia, and honor, at its best!

I deem it, SECURED!

The GSU Wings