The Norcross Public Arts Commission is in the process of installing “Norcross Forever” vinyl wraps on utility boxes across the city, as a part of a new initiative to bring art and character to key intersections.
During a March 31 ribbon-cutting, city leaders and commission members said the project highlights the creativity, culture, and community spirit that make Norcross special, featuring imagery of local parks and community gatherings.
The vinyl wrap at Holcomb Bridge Road and West Peachtree Street depicts scenes of Thrasher Park in downtown historic Norcross on all four sides of the utility box. Each side is designed to look like a postage stamp, with “Norcross Forever” in the top right corner.
Stamping Norcross identity
Norcross Public Arts Commission Chair Liz Simpson said residents will start seeing more of the vinyl wraps, or “Norcross Forever” stamps, on utility boxes around the city in the coming weeks.
Organizers have spent about a year on the project and said installation is weather-dependent.
Themed designs include familiar scenes and cultural staples like Hispanic Heritage, Jazz in the Alley, Lillian Webb Park, International Festivals, Pinnacle Park, Filming in Norcross, the Historic Train Depot, and Splash Pad Fun.
“The wraps highlight the spirit, diversity, and heart of Norcross,” Simpson said. “Well-placed public art like Norcross Forever helps establish a strong sense of place while reinforcing Norcross as a leader in thoughtful, community-driven design.”
The collection of stamps features graphically enhanced professional photographs of city landmarks and annual community gatherings. The installations extend across the city from historic downtown to Norcross High School and south of Buford Highway.
“This project is a great example of how we continue to invest in placemaking and community pride,” Mayor Craig Newton said. “By transforming everyday infrastructure into something meaningful and visually engaging, we’re celebrating what makes Norcross unique while creating a more vibrant and welcoming environment for everyone.”
The public arts commission worked with Accent Creative Group to curate and design the collection
Norcross High students
Robert Forro, a member of the public arts commission and local homebuilder, coordinated with the fine arts program at Norcross High School to get student artwork on a utility box off Medlock Bridge Road.
Jennifer Kesler, art and photography teacher at Norcross High, attended the March 31 event with one of her students.
Kesler, who has taught classes at Norcross since 2020, said she is thrilled the fine arts program has added two teachers and expanded its offerings.
Junior Jasmine Holman is one of four (out of 20) students selected by commission members to have one of her pieces displayed for years near her high school. She said she submitted two pieces.
“I liked the one that was chosen because it was really different,” Holman said. “I was actually doing it for a different program, and it called for a lot of abstract. I thought it would be really catching.”
Arts commission rallies community
The concept for the project originated from a Norcross Public Arts Commission character zone art study, which identified underutilized street corners as opportunities for creative placemaking.
NPAC member and project coordinator Michael MacManus said his idea to use the motif harkens back to his childhood hobby of collecting stamps with his father.
“The themes reinforce Norcross’ fun and welcoming vibe while sparking interest in its history and local celebrations,” MacManus said. “The stamp design felt like a natural extension of the well-loved ‘Greetings from Norcross’ mural.”
MacManus said he plans to unveil a stamp book sometime this June, when to allow the public to collect all of the unique “Norcross Forever” prints.
NPAC member Jacques Murphy secured two grants to help fund the citywide project: $10,000 from the Gwinnett Creativity Placemaking Fund and more than $6,600 from Gwinnett’s Gateway85 Community Improvement District (CID).
Gateway85 CID Executive Director Robert Michener said public art brings people together, creates community pride, and makes a place feel memorable.
“We are excited to partner with the City of Norcross on pieces that enhance the corridor, celebrate local identity, and contribute to a more vibrant Gateway85 district,” Michener said.
