Hattiesburg, Mississippi – The City of Hattiesburg has been awarded $25,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This grant will support a new mural inside the Johnny L. DuPree Public Safety Complex, designed to celebrate civic pride and highlight the importance of community collaboration in public safety.

Titled “The Hattiesburg Way,” the mural will be prominently displayed along an interior wall of the Public Safety Complex, which opened in 2022. The 90,000-square-foot facility features a state-of-the-art police station, a municipal courtroom and a community room available for residents and organizations. The complex incorporates advanced technology while preserving Hattiesburg’s history through the restoration of the original Methodist hospital that forms part of the building.

“’The Hattiesburg Way’ is a philosophy we work to instill in our police officers, one that encourages going the extra mile to build trusting relationships with our citizens and neighborhoods,” said Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker. “By incorporating this message into a permanent piece of public art, we ensure it serves as a daily reminder and inspiration for all.”

As part of this initiative, the Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art (HAPA) and the City of Hattiesburg are issuing a Call for Artists to design and execute the mural, which will align with the theme “The Hattiesburg Way.” This theme embodies the city’s commitment to fostering a safer and more prosperous community through strong relationships among residents, businesses, churches, schools and organizations.

“HAPA’s vision has always been to intentionally honor every aspect of life in Hattiesburg through public art, reflecting the city’s culture, history and aspirations,” said Marlo Dorsey, CEO of VisitHATTIESBURG. “When completed, this mural will stand as a vibrant symbol of Hattiesburg’s creativity, resilience, and commitment to community.”

The completed mural will measure 20 feet wide by 15 feet tall, and artist applications are due no later than Friday, March 21 at 3 p.m. Final selection will be based on artistic merit, creativity, demonstrated ability, technical knowledge, overall budget and interpretation of the theme.

For more details on submission guidelines and instructions, interested artists may visit https://hburgart.com/call/hattiesburgway/.