Starkville, MS
Increasing walkability with colorful street murals
The Project
The University Drive Corridor Connections helps connect the one mile stretch between downtown Starkville and the Mississippi State University (MSU) campus by adding new, artful intersection murals at three locations and crosswalks at nine key intersections. The mural and crosswalk series progressively leads pedestrians along the corridor, creating a safe and attractive means of connecting Downtown, Midtown, and the Cotton District.
Community input was achieved through several surveys that helped refine the design process and ultimately focus on a cowbell theme. Cowbells are a signature MSU icon and strengthen the identity of both community and campus. The cowbells progressively line the crosswalks and intersections along University Drive in this asphalt art project.
Mayor Lynn Spruill decided to involve the community in the painting process by hosting a community-wide event, called “Cowbells and Paint Pails,” which included bands performing while people painted. The outlines of the cowbell shapes were created using thermoplastic for longevity, and the colors were added by volunteers using using a low-VOC and biodegradable soy-based paint. Free t-shirts were given to participants, and food and beverages were also provided. MSU provided an attractive street “barricade” in the form of its maroon streetcar. This served as an attractive backdrop for the painting, while deterring traffic during painting.
The success of these murals in Starkville inspired an initiative to implement asphalt art in eleven communities throughout Mississippi, as part of the USDA Rural Partners Network Project.
“Remediating barriers to walking and increasing connectivity of this corridor through the installation of public art and intersection safety improvements also will allow greater social interactions, thus strengthening the sense of community.”
Leah Kemp, Director, Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center
Use the slider to see the transformation
Press
“Cowbells and Paint Pails” Paints murals on university drive (Starkville Daily News, August 6, 2022)
Intersections turning into art in Starkville (WTVA, August 4, 2022)
From the Gallery (MSU, August 2022)
Street art strengthens MSU-Starkville bonds (MSU, July 2022)
Starkville seeks input on future street art project (The Dispatch, January 28, 2022)
Starkville to receive a grant from the Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative Grant (WCBI, October 21, 2021)
For inspiration and tips for the creation of art on roadways and public places, download the Bloomberg Associates Asphalt Art Guide which features successful plaza and roadway art activations around the world, as well as key steps for developing such projects.
