36 maconmagazine.com | October/November 2026
D
owntown Macon resident Joe Adams is
known as an artist, but considers himself
just as much an historic preservationist.
When he learned a mural was planned
on bare brick across from his downtown home, he
started asking questions on Facebook.
"Is this an appropriate site for a mural? How are
the sites chosen? Are neighbors considered? Does
P&Z have to approve the location of murals like they
do for signage and awnings?"
The answer to the fi rst question might be a bit
subjective, but the Second Street site that the mural
This year, the Macon Mural Festival was postponed
due to zoning issues. We dig into why.
STORY BY LIZ FABIAN | PHOTOS BY JESSICA WHITLEY
This year, the Macon Mural Festival was postponed
W I T H
P U B L I C
A R T, W H O
D E C I D E S
W H AT ' S
A L L O W E D ?
was intended for is in a historic district with rules
and regulations. As to whether the Macon-Bibb
County Planning & Zoning Commission requires
approval for murals — the answer is sometimes.
The Macon Arts Alliance learned that the hard
way when planning the 4th annual Macon Mural
Festival for September. It was never an issue in the
years prior, but this was the fi rst time two of the
walls were unpainted brick in the historic Central
Business District (CBD).
In the CBD, "the painting of unpainted masonry
is inappropriate," according to the regs, and "signs
