VALDOSTA — Travelers flying in and out of Valdosta Regional Airport will now be greeted by a striking new mural — the product of a major collaborative effort led by local students and supported by several community organizations.

The mural, unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, was a collaborative project involving the City of Valdosta Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC), Valdosta State University (VSU), the Turner Center for the Arts, and other partners. However, at the heart of the project stands the VSU students, who have turned this mural into something more than just a grade.

Under the guidance of VSU professors Evelyn Davis-Walker and Craig Hawkins, the Mural Paint Class actively involved students from the very beginning. Students were responsible for a variety of tasks, including conceptualizing designs, collaborating on rough drafts, refining visuals based on client feedback, and executing the final painting.

For head designer and VSU student Lexi Bennett, the project was a valuable real-world experience, teaching her how to collaborate, adapt designs through client feedback, and lead a team effort. She found participating in VSU’s art programs to be very rewarding and encourages others to join.

“If you do not feel like you have an opportunity for art, this [VSU Art Program] is a very open environment,” stated Bennett. “It is worth the chance, and it is very fulfilling as a soul practice.”

The team also added quick response (QR) codes to the mural that lead to the official websites of some of Valdosta’s most important locations, such as Valdosta State University and Wild Adventures.

Airport Manager Tim Hood highlighted the project as a major community effort, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and the need to make a strong first impression for travelers coming through Valdosta Regional Airport.

”This is the community’s airport. This is the first thing people see coming in or flying away,” stated Hood. “We just want to make it the best thing possible for anybody, local or traveler alike.”

During the ceremony, Mayor Scott James Matheson emphasized the importance of the arts to Valdosta, recalling the vision of former Mayor John Fretti, who advocated for the city to invest $25,000 in public art each year. 

For the students involved, the project stands as a permanent, public testament to their creativity, dedication, and the power of collaborative community work.