Warner Robins Adopt-a-Box program expands: When a traffic control box becomes art

WARNER ROBINS — What was once an ordinary traffic control box now tells the story of Warner Robins’ beginnings.

The city unveiled its newest Adopt-a-Box vinyl-wrap art installation on social media on July 14, located on the corner of Russell Parkway and Carl Vinson Parkway.

Wrapped in local painter Cathy Hollomon Compton’s work of the historic Elberta Depot, the city’s newest Adopt-a-Box celebrates local history and public art.

The inspiration behind Elberta Depot

Compton’s work depicts a wood-framed train station, with brightly-colored wood, foliage and skies translated into acrylic on canvas.

Her painting is inspired by the still-standing Elberta Depot, believed to have been built in 1918. The station is now a museum on North Armed Forces Boulevard.

She used photos of the museum for reference while painting over several months.

Compton was inspired by regional and family history.

Her father lived close to the train tracks on Third Street, and her grandfather worked at the local depot, so her family stories and memories shaped the piece. She heard many stories growing up from her family, and her father came to mind as she painted her design.

Train depots once lined the Georgia Southern and Florida Railway, a historic 285-mile rail system from Macon, Georgia, to Palatka, Florida, according to GDOT. Stations in Warner Robins helped bring employees to the newly founded city and Robins Air Force Base in the 1940s, according to the National Park Service.

“That was an important part of history for the beginnings of a community in Houston County. That was really the story. A lot of progress has been made, and it’s just a nod to the past where we started,” Compton said.

Compton was thrilled the city chose her work, saying including local artists was a nice gesture. Another painting of hers depicting colorful flowers made the cut earlier, and this latest selection built on that recognition.

The wrap on the utility box brought the train depot to life, even more than her floral painting.

“I didn’t think [Elberta Depot] would be chosen because of the graphics itself, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the outcome. It almost brought it to life in a 3D fashion once it got up on the electrical box, so that was amazing to me how they did that,” Compton said.

She hopes her artwork can help keep curiosity for the city’s history alive.

“I hope it’ll get people thinking about the depot and the trains, and that it has an important place in our community’s history. Maybe it’ll get them to thinking about where the depot is and get them down to that part of the area so they can go tour it,” Compton said.

Why Flint Energies got involved with Adopt-a-Box

Flint Energies, an electric co-op, sponsored the newest box on Carl Vinson and Russell Parkway, across the street from their district office in Warner Robins.

The co-op already has a program called “Rural Murals,” which has sponsored murals in several communities in Flint’s service area. Marian McLemore, vice president of cooperative communications, said Adopt-a-Box was a perfect chance to sponsor local artwork in Houston County.

“We thought it would be a great way to complement our existing rural mural program by investing in public art here in the city of Warner Robins,” McLemore said in an interview.

Flint Energies resonated with Compton’s artwork as well and chose it for their sponsored box. Its former office was on Elberta Road before relocating to Russell Parkway. Founded in 1937, the co-op was asked to provide power to Warner Robins in the early 1940s.

“Flint has grown up alongside the city of Warner Robins since the ‘40s, so it was very much honoring our roots in the early ‘40s and how we have grown over the years. We wanted to honor that legacy of where we started and where we are today,” McLemore said.

McLemore said sponsoring the box was another layer of support for the community and hopes viewers embrace history and connect it to the present day.

“This accents what we love and cherish about this community, and we hope the community enjoys it. We look forward to the city installing many more Adopt-a-Boxes,” McLemore said.

Warner Robins‘s city beautification project

Kate Hogan, the city’s economic development director, described the Adopt-a-Box program as an initiative that brings beauty to everyday objects and lets local artists showcase their talents.

“It’s a great opportunity to bring art to unexpected public spaces, encouraging creativity and really just trying to create a little bit more whimsy in everyday utility,” Hogan said.

Hogan said the project is another way for the city to appreciate and take ownership of its identity. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and Hogan said the city ventured into newer territory.

“We didn’t have much to go on with examples from other communities. This was fairly innovative,” Hogan said.

Hogan hopes residents who pass by the boxes also feel proud of their city.

“We’re taking pride in our place, even the everyday infrastructure, and we hope that they’ll take pride in their place and really lean into that Warner Robins ‘Take Flight’ attitude,” Hogan said.

The city launched the initiative in June last year and wrapped eight boxes along Davis Drive in March of this year, bringing the current total to nine.

But this first wave is not the end of the program. Hogan said the city wants to decorate boxes throughout the city and is open to businesses and organizations sponsoring a box. The city has 32 boxes available for adoption. 

“We are continuing to receive sponsorships and looking for grants to decorate as many boxes throughout the city as possible,” Hogan said.

Hogan said artists are welcome to submit their work as the program continues. Artwork should ideally tie into the city’s culture and identity. A themed guide for artists is available on the city’s website.