Smyrna Public Art Committee - HR Training Room — Minutes
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April 24, 2026 11:30 AM City of Smyrna Smyrna Public Art Committee Meeting 2800 King Street SE HR Training Room Page 6 of 7 Aye: 6 – City Council Liaison Oglesby, Committee Member Foote, Committee Member Harrison, Committee Member Quigley, Committee Member Scott, Committee Member Thomas Nay: 0 – None Recuse: 0 – None H. 2026-178 Library Mural Focus Group @ 12:30 Library Mural Site Introduction Youth Services Librarian Rebecca Power welcomed the committee to the mural site and introduced herself. Rebecca Power said the mural has been around for fifteen years and this specific location of the library is very beloved. There are usually between 10-20 people in the area at any given time with ages ranging from newborns and toddlers to grade-schoolers. The area is utilized for naps, puzzles, reading books, playing with tinker boxes, blocks, and other interactive activities. Since the area is utilized for many activities, the staff would like it to be happy, bright, and whimsical, and a representation of Smyrna. Library Director Mary Moore said there was mention of including another section of the wall in the mural and gestured toward the wall location. Rebecca Power confirmed she would like that additional wall to be included in the mural. Special Projects Manager Carson Haynie directed the public art committee and library staff to the meeting room for the focus group. Library Mural Focus Group Discussion Special Projects Manager Carson Haynie welcomed Anna Talarico (virtual) to the focus group and informed her that Youth Services Librarian Rebecca Power would like the mural to feel bright, lively, and whimsical. Rebecca Power shared pictures of Myrna, the frog outside of the library. She would like to see Myrna the frog incorporated into the mural. Myrna bears some resemblance to the frog on the cover of the book Frog and Toad. She touched on another picture she passed around which harnessed a forest/nature type of theme and included a pond. She shared images from other libraries that have bright and colorful murals with engaging and imaginative images. She does not want the mural to scream children’s books but possibly give homage to classic books like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom or One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Library Director Mary Moore said the mural will obviously not cross any copyright infringement but possibly include Easter eggs of imagery from children’s books that patrons would recognize and appreciate. Designing Local Consultant Anna Talarico encouraged the group to discuss community engagement for the mural project. Mary Moore said she would need examples of how the community would be engaged. Ms. Moore said she wants the mural to look professional and last 10-15 years and therefore does not want children to be painting the walls. Ms. Talarico said the community does not have to be part of the co-creation of the project. Committee Member Meg Quigley said Committee Member Leah Barnes mentioned the idea of passing out coloring sheets to library patrons so they could be included in the project. Ms. Haynie asked library staff when it would be best to do the coloring sheet inspiration concept. Library Director Mary Moore said the summertime is perfect for the kids to do coloring sheet concepts specifically in June and July. The mural installation would be best happening around December since that is the slowest time of the year for the library, and facilities will likely be closed. Ms. Talarico said there is some value in community input before the artist is selected, but the committee would also like to be able to provide the artist with as much information on the project as possible. Committee Member Burke Scott said it is a great idea to collect data from the community about the library mural and get their insight. If 100 library patrons participate and 60 children drew Myrna on the sheets,