Priceless art project a cost-effective solution

The quest to save money resulted in a rare piece of public art. During construction at the Augusta Utilities Department treatment plant on Highland Avenue, several ideas of what should line the walls were bounced around, such as replacing the old brick with new brick or placing plants along the wall, said Drew Goins, the department's assistant director.

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Jackie Ricciardi/Staff

Cindy O’Brien, executive director of the Art Factory, at one of the murals painted during the Art on Wall project at Augusta’s water treatment plant.

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"They were all cost prohibitive, however," he said.

After a few discussions with the Art Factory, the department decided to go with murals.

"We figured we could use the wall as a canvas to do some local artwork," he said. "It saves money. Paint is cheaper than brick.

''It really began as an economic decision but it has become so much more. It's become a community effort, a community partnership. I'm glad we chose to go this route."

The Art on the Wall project, which was recently completed, features murals on the walls of the water treatment plant on Highland Avenue, Wrightsboro Road and Iris Street.

Having public art in Augusta has always been a dream for Cindy O'Brien, the Art Factory's executive director, so she welcomed the opportunity to partner with the department.

"It's amazing. It reminds me of what our kids say at the end of our programs, 'I did something that I never thought was possible.' " she said.

The project, a collaborative effort between the department and the Art Factory, was completed in three phases, with the first phase starting in September 2009.

The first two phases featured murals created by local artists.

The final phase was completed by teens from three Boys and Girls Clubs of Augusta units and a group of juvenile first offenders through a partnership with the Juvenile Justice Department.

The wall will have its official opening Saturday. All of the artists and teens who participated in the project will be present to talk about their murals.