City of Warner Robins invites local artists to make traffic boxes into their canvas 

WARNER ROBINS – The City of Warner Robins is calling on local artists to participate in its “Adopt a Box” program, which aims to beautify traffic signal boxes throughout the city. 

Community Development Director Kate Hogan hopes to showcase local talent on traffic boxes. The boxes are responsible for the electrical and computer mechanisms to effectively run a traffic signal.

She said the boxes can be utilitarian in design, but it is an opportunity to bring beautification and economic placemaking to both the downtown area and throughout the city. 

Hogan shared they are limited on subject matter, since the art would be publicly displayed. The designs must be original, family-friendly and reflect themes of local nature. The designs must also capture the city’s heritage, education or civic pride. Logos, advertisements, political or religious messages, nudity or any offensive context or content will not be allowed. Little to no text should be included on the box to ensure it will not distract drivers. Artists should also consider visual flow, Hogan said. 

Hogan shared the city is participating in a statewide program called the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative, a subset of the Georgia Municipal Association. 

“We’re just looking at trying to create stronger pride for our community and also opportunities for reintroducing the arts in creative ways,” she said.

Hogan also said the city has a lot of utilitarian infrastructure, but traffic boxes have been used as a canvas throughout the country. 

Hogan and the city council are excited for the program. She said it is an opportunity for the city to get creative and rely on the principles they are learning about for the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative.

“There are opportunities for creative placemaking strategies to be implemented on these boxes and so really just wanting to prioritize Economic Placemaking throughout our downtown area and then radiating throughout the City of Warner Robins,” she said.

For artists interested in participating in the program, click here.