Mount Pleasant, S.C. – The Town of Mount Pleasant is once again inviting artists to transform ordinary traffic signal boxes into colorful public art pieces, as part of a program that’s been running since 2016.
Turning Street Corners Into Canvases
From Highway 17 to neighborhood intersections, nearly 50 traffic boxes across Mount Pleasant have been wrapped in original artwork over the past nine years. The initiative, run through the Town of Mount Pleasant Recreation Department, pairs local artists with public spaces, giving drivers and pedestrians the chance to enjoy art in unexpected places.
“It’s a chance to take something ordinary and make it beautiful, which is something we should be trying to do in all aspects of life,” said Erin Banks, Creative Director of the Gibbes Museum and one of the first artists to participate in the project.
Her piece, located near Home Depot on Highway 17, pays tribute to the Lowcountry’s sweetgrass basket-making tradition. “In this piece, I wanted to honor that tradition and also create something beautiful when we have that traffic,” she explained.
Encouraging Artists to Apply
The program continues to expand, with town officials hoping to add more art to street corners in 2025. Nicole Harvey, Chief of Community Affairs and Marketing for Mount Pleasant Recreation, says it’s a meaningful opportunity for both artists and the community.
“For the artist, it’s just a really good way for them to get recognition, and it really makes them feel a sense of pride,” Harvey said. “It’s also a great way to showcase the diverse and wonderful artistic talent that we have in the Lowcountry.”
Artists are encouraged to submit work inspired by Mount Pleasant or the Lowcountry, though all high-resolution art concepts will be considered.
What Selected Artists Receive
$250 stipend from the Town of Mount Pleasant
Recognition in town press releases and promotional materials
Features on social media
Public display of their artwork on a traffic signal box
Application Deadline
Artists interested in the program must submit their applications by September 29, 2025. Selected artists will be announced on October 1, 2025.
Mount Pleasant’s traffic signal art box program shows how small touches of creativity can enrich daily life, turning something as routine as waiting at a red light into a chance to appreciate local culture. For artists, it’s not just exposure but also a way to leave a lasting mark on the community.
