Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art (HAPA) unveiled a new mural on Nov. 5 at the corner of Main Street and Batson Street in downtown Hattiesburg. It is the 12th mural commissioned by HAPA in the last 20 months, and was sponsored by HAPA supporters Catherine and Chad Edmondson. Fairley’s Wings and More, a popular local eatery, also partnered with HAPA to allow the side of their building to be used for the project.
“We continue to work with partners to elevate our community’s outdoor spaces with uplifting messages,” said Marlo Dorsey, Executive Director of VisitHATTIESBURG. “We are reminded today that art has the power to revitalize streetscapes in our community. Through public art, residents and visitors can find inspiration, joy or a beautiful backdrop for an outing.”
The mural “Spread Your Wings” by Avery Orendorf, a muralist from Austin, TX, features an enormous hummingbird taking flight before a rising sun. Orendorf said that she selected a bird both to whimsically play on the mural’s location next to a chicken wing restaurant and to create a symbol with diverse meaning for the city of Hattiesburg.
“The hummingbird speaks to me personally,” Orendorf said. “I think it represents so much. As a small person in a tall man’s industry, it obviously is a sign of strength and endurance for me. But, a hummingbird is a symbol of so many different things for so many different people.
“It’s a symbol of love, a symbol of hope, a symbol of joy, a symbol of playfulness. I hope that everyone that looks at this mural will find something in this inspirational bird. As it hovers there with its speed, its endurance and its strength, I hope that it will be a symbol for Hattiesburg.”
The colorful, linear mural is also the newest edition in Hattiesburg’s efforts to become the “City of 100 Murals.” Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker said the “City of 100 Murals” project started as a goal after public art became a popular retreat for many Hattiesburgers and visiting guests during the pandemic.
“We saw during the pandemic as we invested in public art that it really did get people out in our community,” Barker said. “It brings in a lot of people from out of town to see our public art, and tt creates a stronger bond between residents and their community.
“So, we decided that we needed to set a lofty goal. I hope that in the next five years that we are going to be the ‘City of 100 Murals.’ When you look at the size of our city, that would really set us apart. That’s what Hattiesburg has to do. It has to push itself to go farther and to set ambitious yet achievable goals. If we do that, then we’re going to outpace other communities.”
Nick Fairly, owner of Fairley’s Wings and the neighboring Downtown Nutrition, said that he agreed public art was a smart investment into the area.
“I’m excited that my customers and all those who visit downtown will be able to enjoy the mural. It truly enhances the curb appeal of Batson Street, and will, in turn, continue to attract visitors and investors to the city,” Fairly said.
“Spread Your Wings” is now officially added to the Hattiesburg Public Art Trail. To learn more about the trail and the public art it features, visit hburgart.com/trail/.
