Thursday, December 5, 2024
It’s time to say goodbye to those boring, gray utility boxes lining the streets, as Granbury is ready to turn heads with a bold new art project.
The Granbury City Council unanimously approved a recommendation from the Granbury Cultural Arts Commission to authorize the “Out of the Box” utility box art wrapping program during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
Visit Granbury Director Tammy Dooley explained that the program will allow local artists to submit their designs for vinyl wraps that will be placed on utility boxes around town.
“You don't actually paint on the box,” Dooley said. “It's a vinyl wrap that would last approximately two to three years.”
Wraps will be purchased by a sponsor, so there will be no financial impact to the city. Artists involved in the project will be compensated with a small stipend from the sponsor as well. While no wording or logos will be allowed on the box, sponsors will be recognized through the Visit Granbury website and social media.
“Coincidentally, this is October, so in October, Visit Granbury promotes all of the things art tourism-related,” Dooley explained. “And there's so many things going on that we're actually calling it Arttober, and we have an entire campaign promoting the arts. This time last year, we were proudly receiving the Granbury Cultural District designation at the Harvest Moon Festival.”
“We are so excited about this,” Granbury Cultural Arts Commission Chair Cora Werley said. “This is going to be a thing you see when you drive into town. It's really one of the first things you see. You're going to say, ‘Why is that box not gray metal anymore? Now it's beautiful!’”
Werley noted that 25 utility boxes will be involved in the project and distributed all over town — everywhere from U.S. Highway 377 and State Highway 144 to Loop 567 and Farm-to-Market Road 51.
“It's going to make a difference to people driving around town,” she said. “Now, we've committed to be an art-centric community, and it's just a good example of getting that done.”
Place 3 Councilman Bruce Wadley stated he thinks the program looks great but recommended the artwork incorporate a Texas theme — especially considering Granbury’s motto is “Where Texas History Lives.”
“We do offer the sponsors the alternative to pick their own art, or even to have their own favorite artists submit art,” Werley explained. “But we'll keep in mind that the historical context is important.”
“I also like the fact that it's just art for art's sake,” Wadley added. “It's not promoting anybody or a business."
City Manager Chris Coffman explained that while the program allows for artistic displays on utility boxes, it must adhere to regulations that prohibit advertising. He added that every wrap will still require approval from Texas Department of Transportation and will then be presented to the council before placement.
“This is another little project we're excited about,” he said. “We've been talking about it for quite some time, and finally, we’ve got some got some legs to it.”
Mayor Pro Tem Steven Vale inquired about the lifespan of the wraps, asking if the same sponsor will need to reorder them after two to three years. Dooley responded that the sponsor will indeed be responsible for maintaining the box, including replacing it if damaged, but added that rewrapping will be a simple process.
“I think it's a great program,” Vale said. “I used to drive up Highway 26 when I lived in Southlake and through the H-E-B area, there's some on the corners, and I always noticed them when I went by that they were very creative. They just added a little something. I like Bruce's idea ... in keeping with the city and celebration capital, or something with ‘Where Texas History Lives.’ I think it's a great program.”
"We already have some potential sponsors,” Werley added. “We’re actually ready to go.”
Wadley then made the motion to approve the recommendation from the Granbury Cultural Arts Commission to authorize the “Out of the Box” utility box art wrapping program. Following a second from Vale, the motion passed unanimously.
