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Bernd Park Start your adventure at Bernd Park and its six sculptures in a playground. Bernd Park challenges us to expand our definition of a sculpture — kids can touch and interact with the installations. It's also a great example of how the look of art can complement and enhance its environment. Consider a morning visit before it heats up and pack a picnic you can eat in the S.S. Magnolia! 567 Center's Downtown Graffiti Wall Project Bring your own paint or markers and add your flair to one of their three alley canvases. Contribute to someone else's art, create something new and teach your kids they don't need to be a professional artist to make something special. I recommend the location at Mulberry Street Lane and Third Street, so you can grab a cupcake at Felicia's Cake Factory afterward. Explore 5 kid-friendly public art spaces in Macon BY ERIN HAWKINS Erin Hawkins specializes in hand-lettering, graphic design, murals and art for your business. Follow her creations @mamahawkdraws or visit mamahawkdraws.com. AS AN ARTIST, I'm constantly inspired by the beauty of our city's murals, sculptures and architecture. As a mom of three kiddos (ages 3, 5 and 7), I'm always looking for opportunities to teach them the importance of art in our community, as well as burn their limitless energy. Macon has a wealth of public art exhibits that are both inspiring and fun for young people. I created this list because our families and communities benefit when art is accessible to everyone, especially kids. It's important for kids to see that art isn't just the pristine and untouchable displays in museums; it belongs to everyone, and it is for everyone. These are some of my favorite places! Because this is a kid-friendly list, snack ideas are included. Cherry Street mid-street crosswalk The Cherry Street crosswalk mural shows how art can improve our shared spaces. This mural was designed and painted by me in partnership with Bike Walk Macon. We created the vibrant asphalt mural to make drivers slow down for pedestrians using the crosswalk. Ask your kids to brainstorm other ways art could solve a problem. Watch the cars yield to pedestrians, then duck into The Rookery for a milkshake. Triangle Arts Macon I love this big, open area where kids can run from giant building mural to sidewalk mural to painted cement mixer. Kids can get loud, they can burn energy and they can touch art created by artists from near and far. I most enjoy visiting the portraits because I can talk with my kids about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Gandhi and their contributions to our world. The Society Garden This garden store turned bar is both art and kid friendly. The owners are parents, too, so they know what we need: a big fenced-in yard and a slide. Take in the huge mural of Little Richard at the entrance and check out the giant wooden troll that was carved from a stump with only a chainsaw. My favorite installation is the vibrant floral mural opposite Little Richard. My family likes to come here on Friday afternoons, and every time I see this mural, I feel a sense of a release and joy. Grab your kids a popsicle and yourself a wine slushie or beer to reward yourself for an art adventure well done! PHOTO BY MARY BETH WOOD PHOTO BY CHRIS DUNN 42 maconmagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2021