The public arts commission unveiled the first of five new statues as a part of its “White Squirrels of Norcross” project on May 14 at Norcross Gallery & Studios in the historic downtown district.
Mayor Craig Newton, a lifelong Norcross resident, said he’s seen the leucistic white squirrels around the city all his life. Newton, whose family moved to Gwinnett County in the early 1900s, said local folklore has it that the rare eastern gray squirrels are good luck.
“The White Squirrels of Norcross project is a creative way to celebrate our city’s character while bringing people together,” Newton said. “We invite residents and visitors to explore Norcross, learn about its history, and enjoy public art in a fun and engaging way.”
An interactive ‘art hunt’
The first phase of the project is underway, with sculptures already installed at four parks: Thrasher, Betty Mauldin, Lillian Webb, and Discovery Garden. A fifth sculpture, named Vincent, has been installed at Norcross Gallery & Studios on Carlyle Street, made possible through a private donation.
NPAC Chair Liz Simpson said 12 of the project’s 13 planned sculptures will remain in permanent locations, with phase two planned at Pinnacle Park south of Buford Highway. She said one “traveler” squirrel will move throughout the city, adding an element of surprise and encouraging community members to participate in an ongoing “art hunt.”
“The vision for this art hunt is to have each white squirrel tell a story unique to their journey and include a bit of history about their specific location,” Simpson said. “Our goal is to create a unique interactive experience and encourage participants to visit the homes of all the White Squirrels of Norcross.”
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• Norcross unveils bronze statues of white squirrels to unite community
The “White Squirrels of Norcross” project brings a series of near-life-sized bronze sculptures to parks, public spaces, and cultural destinations across the city. It’s designed to create an interactive art experience and encourage families, couples, and the art community to visit the city.
Local folklore and project background
The project builds on the city’s unique connection to the rare white squirrel, first officially recorded in Thrasher Park in 2016. Local folklore suggests the squirrels may have arrived decades earlier, possibly traveling by train and settling in the area during its historic resort era.
Mayor Newton said legend has it that the white squirrels stuck around the old Brunswick Hotel after their arrival because they fell in love with the area’s trees. Newton suggested “Leuci” as the name of the “traveller squirrel” to honor the rare genetic condition.
The sculptures are handcrafted by Atlanta-based Cherrylion Studios using the traditional lost-wax, bronze casting process. Each piece is a hand-sculpted clay model cast in bronze and finished with a custom white patina, before being sealed, waxed, and buffed for installation. The process takes approximately four to five months.
Renowned sculptor Marty Dawe said the multigenerational project has deep roots and an air of mystery around the origins of the squirrels in the city.
“I’m glad to create something that will be around for many generations to come and is so meaningful for Norcross,” Dawe said.
Fundraising on horizon
The concept for the art hunt originated in 2022 during the development of the city’s Arts & Culture Master Plan. Following strong community interest and support, the project rose to the top of NPAC’s priorities in 2024.
Fundraising efforts began shortly after, with early community contributions helping bring the vision to life, including a large private donation for the sixth squirrel. The project invites the community to stroll through parks, visit local businesses, and discover new corners of the city.
Participants are encouraged to search for each sculpture and share clues when they spot the traveling squirrel, creating a dynamic and engaging citywide experience.
NPAC members said they plan to complete the installation of all 13 sculptures in Phase I by the end of the year, with additional opportunities for community engagement and expansion anticipated in future phases. So far, the commission has raised $3,390, or about 14% of their $25,000 goal.
As part of ongoing fundraising efforts, the commission has introduced commemorative marble composite squirrel ($800) and acorn pieces ($200). Funds go directly to public arts initiatives in Norcross.
For more information about the project or to support Norcross public arts, email npac@norcrossga.net.
