Macon Arts Alliance has been awarded an Our Town Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant received matching funding from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. The purpose of the grant is to support an artist residency, a temporary public art installation, and community engagement activities related to the future Muscogee (Creek) Cultural Center in Macon, Georgia. The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative (ONPPI) are partners in the program.

Muscogee (Creek) artist Starr Hardridge has been selected for the project. Hardridge’s work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and is included in the art collection of the Oklahoma State Capitol building. Hardridge grew up in Oklahoma, received his BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and studied at the Nedaii/Verdon Atelier of Decorative Painting in Penne De Agenais France. He currently resides in Tennessee. Macon artist Randy Williams will work with Hardridge on the project. Williams received his BFA from American Intercontinental University in Atlanta. He is known locally as Randy Heart and spreads positivity through murals, workshops and community engagement.

Macon Arts Alliance Executive Director Julie Wilkerson said, “We are honored to have been chosen for this Our Town grant and appreciate the UDA and ONNPPI for partnering with us on this endeavor.”

“The UDA is always glad to assist in projects that can make a profound impact on neighborhood redevelopment and healing, and we are excited to see what these wonderful artists can teach us through collaboration,” said Authority Executive Director Alex Morrison