Coloring Community: Thomaston’s Rural Mural Comes to Life
Public art has a way of doing more than beautifying a space—it brings people together, tells stories, and helps communities see themselves in a new light. In Thomaston, Georgia, one downtown wall is doing exactly that.
In the latest episode of Front Porch Chats, we spotlight one of Flint Energies’ Rural Murals projects in Thomaston and the meaningful partnership that helped bring it to life. Created in collaboration with the University of Georgia’s Color the World program, this mural blends student-led creativity with local pride, transforming a blank wall into a vibrant reflection of the community it represents.
A Partnership That Made an Impact
What makes Thomaston’s mural especially powerful is the collaboration behind it. By partnering with UGA’s Color the World program, the project connected higher education, emerging artists, and the local community in a shared creative effort. The result is a mural that feels both fresh and deeply rooted—honoring Thomaston’s identity while engaging the next generation in rural placemaking.
This kind of partnership highlights how murals can be more than art projects. They can serve as educational experiences, community-building tools, and catalysts for long-term investment in downtown spaces.
Murals and Downtown Revitalization
Murals play an important role in revitalizing rural downtowns. They draw attention, invite conversation, and encourage people to slow down, explore, and spend time in the heart of town. In Thomaston, the mural has become a visual anchor—one that adds energy, color, and meaning to the downtown experience.
Public art like this helps create a sense of place, reminding residents why their community matters and giving visitors a reason to stop, look around, and come back again.
Stay Connected to Downtown Thomaston
Downtown murals often spark renewed interest in local events, shopping, dining, and community gatherings. To stay up to date on what’s happening in Thomaston, follow the City of Thomaston Main Street Facebook page for events and information:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/mainstreetthomaston
Could Your Community Be Next?
Thomaston’s mural is part of the larger Flint Energies Rural Murals Program, which partners with rural communities across Middle and Southwest Georgia to create custom, large-scale murals. Each project is designed to reflect the community it represents—celebrating local history, culture, and identity while supporting artists and encouraging economic development.
Applications are now open for the 2026 Rural Murals Grant. Communities interested in telling their story through public art can learn more and apply here:
👉 https://flintenergies.com/rural-murals
Listen to the Episode
To hear the full conversation about Thomaston’s mural, the Color the World partnership, and the impact of public art in rural communities, listen to the latest episode of Front Porch Chats:
🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3vNoxB6
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3OeGVJg
Be sure to follow Front Porch Chats on your favorite podcast platform—new episodes will automatically show up in your feed.
Thomaston’s mural is proof that when creativity, collaboration, and community come together, a single wall can help tell a much bigger story.
