Heritage Hills grant funds refurbishing public art

New Albany Main Street has begun work with local youth artists thanks to funding through a grant with Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area. The grant will assist in covering the cost of supplies for a variety of projects as well as wages for six artists.

They will be refurbishing murals throughout the city, creating signage, and help to design a sculptural piece that will be placed at the pocket park near the Magnolia Civic Center.

The funding will also help the group to create a local art database. Students will work under the direction of Tracy Vainisi. Vainisi is an educator at New Albany Middle School and works part-time with Main Street.

“Public art is so important for a community,” she said. “I wanted to create a grant that both offered a voice to local student artists as well as paid them a salary for their work.”