Public Works as Public Art

I first noticed a painted utility box about a year ago, while driving down a Houston street. I thought it was a bright touch of unexpected whimsy – public works as public art. At the time, I thought it was artistic graffiti, and it made me smile. It wasn’t until I mentioned it to my daughter that I found out it was a municipal beautification project.

A Little Background

After a little research, I discovered the concept appears to have started in California, which has become a hot spot for these projects. However, these utility box projects are now happening in cities all across the country – Sacramento, Milwaukee, Boston, New Orleans, Tacoma, and even as far away as Auckland, New Zealand. In most of these projects, local artists are invited to apply to create the art to decorate a utility box.

In Houston and Austin, the project is called Mini Murals. According to the website, the primary project goal is to bring art to unexpected places, where there would otherwise be blight. Once painted, the boxes are intended to help instill civic pride while beautifying neighborhoods and enhancing the urban landscape. Many cities, including Houston, have self-guided tours of the the dozens of Mini Murals throughout the city. Touring the utility boxes can be done by foot, bike or car, and makes a great family activity in these social-distancing times.

I thought the utility boxes were painted, but it turns out in many cities the boxes are covered with a vinyl wrap printed with the artist’s design. As I understand it, vinyl is more resistant to UV rays and has lower risks of chipping or scratching than paint, providing a longer shelf life for the art it displays. The public works as public art boxes in Houston are painted. Conversely, in nearby Sugar Land, vinyl wraps are used.

Public Works as Public Art in Sugar Land

According to the the city’s website, regionally-based artists were sought to transform traffic signal control boxes in Sugar Land from functional infrastructure into colorful inspired works of art. The selected artists comprise a diverse cross-section of the local and regional community, and range in age from 18-years-old to adults.

My family and I took a tour of the brightly “wrapped” utility boxes in Sugar Land, Texas last weekend. We needed to get out of the house, and this was a fun activity that we could do while social distancing. We drove to some, walked around others. Everyone picked their favorite, and we took pictures of most of the boxes. These boxes make me smile, whether in person or in our pictures.

Our Favorites

My favorite is the train at the top of this post. It is strategically located across the street from the main railroad crossing. I thought it added just the right amount of whimsy and entertainment for those drivers stuck at that intersection waiting for a train to pass. Created by Debra Jan Hall Heintschel, this box is titled Sugar Land Train.

My daughter’s favorite is the utility box covered in pink flowers. Created by Rose Miao, its called Primroses, and it is beautiful.

My niece’s favorite was the baking gator. I must admit that I love this one, too. Its just plain fun! Those treats he’s baking look so delicious, don’t they? Created by Anita Nelson, this utility box art is titled Sugar Gator.

My sister’s favorite was the lady chef. Simply titled Chef, this utility box art was created by Jamie Adams.

There are many others that we did not remember to photograph, but they are all amazing. And they definitely brighten the landscape along our roadways. Do you have these public works as public art utility boxes in your town? If so, take some time to discover and enjoy them with your family or friends. Its a great fun, low-key activity.