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LOCAL BUZZ Macon-Bibb's Bicentennial blossoms with art, 3D film, history lectures, and more THE SIGNATURE INITIATIVES marking the city of Macon's Bicentennial celebration are in full swing. The city, founded in 1823, is marking the Bicentennial with a host of reflections on art and history, with public events that any Maconite can enjoy. The call for art has gone out for Macon's Bicentennial Art Show, featuring renowned Maconite Wini McQueen, which will take place in storefronts at the Macon Mall on Eisenhower Parkway. McQueen is a textile artist whose work has been exhibited nationwide and weaves together themes of race, class, and gender. A grand work called The Canopy will hang from the mall's atrium, while McQueen will contextualize her exhibit with a second-story storefront dedicated to the use of cotton in textiles. Downstairs, a group show featuring local Macon-Bibb artists of all mediums will contemplate the Bicentennial using three core themes throughout the year: Blossoming will run in the spring to honor Macon's success and joy, Untold Stories will be the summer show to challenge traditional narratives and uplift underrepresented voices, and A Sense of Place will end the show in the fall by defining the essence of what makes the city uniquely Macon. The location at the Macon Mall highlights the current revitalization efforts happening on the site, which include the construction of a 10,000-seat amphitheater and the largest indoor pickleball facility in the world, as well as relocation of essential government services such as the Board of Elections. The Bicentennial Art Show will open March 17, with Blossoming coinciding with Macon's famous Cherry Blossom Festival. A special preview reception will be held on March 16. Twelve visual artists were commissioned for a competitive Bicentennial poster contest. The commissions will represent the monthly featured themes from the history committee, such as "Macon Transportation, from river to rail to automobile to air" and "Mayors and government officials, famous and infamous, from 1823-1923." The commemorative posters will have limited-edition prints available for sale at the Bicentennial Art Show and other associated events, with proceeds benefiting the Bicentennial Fund. Each month, the history committee will present lectures and information on these topics. In February, the committee will highlight Black History Month for the designated theme of race, ethnicity, and culture. Descendants of Louis Persley and Ellen Smith Craft and William Craft will speak about their legacy. On Feb. 3, the first 3D mapping film premiered on the walls of Macon City Auditorium, focusing on the origins of the city. This technology will be used to make other films throughout the year that explore different aspects of Macon's history and culture, funded by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Keep up with the Bicentennial and learn more about these events by going to macon200.com or following Macon200 on Facebook and Macon200th on Instagram. – JULIA MORRISON LEFT TO RIGHT: WINI MCQUEEN. PHOTO BY MATT ODOM. "CURRENTS OF MACON" BY KEVIN SCENE LEWIS IS THE FEBRUARY 2023 FEATURED POSTER. 30 maconmagazine.com | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023