BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Suwanee, GA, October 31, 2025: Under a golden autumn sun, the City of Suwanee gathered residents, donors, and dignitaries at the Outdoor Reading Grotto Steps of the Gwinnett County Public Library to celebrate the culmination of its most ambitious cultural effort to date, the Art for All Campaign.
What began in 2019 as a bold $1.25 million goal has blossomed into a remarkable $1.7 million achievement, thanks to private donors, civic organizations, and a community united by creativity and vision. The celebration marked not only the campaign’s success but also the unveiling of new murals and the announcement of exciting new art initiatives that reaffirm Suwanee’s reputation as a leader in community-driven public art.
The event drew a distinguished audience, including the honoree Dr. Narasimhulu Neelagaru, Commissioner John King, Senator Matt Reeves, and Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan of CGI Atlanta, alongside Suwanee mayor Jimmy Burnette, city officials, art patrons, and members of the Suwanee Public Arts Commission.
In his remarks, Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette reflected on the city’s decades-long transformation from vision to vibrant reality. He recounted how, as a councilmember, he helped champion Suwanee’s comprehensive land use and downtown master plans, emphasizing open space, parks, and community connectivity. “We doubled our taxes to buy land to build parks and open space,” Burnette noted, explaining how early investments in public spaces like Town Center became catalysts for growth and civic pride. He credited the success of Suwanee’s art initiatives—sculptures, murals, and installations—with helping the city earn recognition as a leader in public art across Georgia. “The biggest thing about great communities is people,” Burnette said, thanking residents, city staff, and community leaders—including Dr. Neelagaru—for their support in shaping Suwanee into a place “kids want to come back to live.”
Assistant City Manager Denise Brinson opened the program with an expression of deep gratitude for the community’s unwavering belief in Suwanee’s creative mission.
“You believed that public art was important — that it impacts the community,” she said. “You believed that it was a source of pride and inspiration for everybody who lives here and everybody who visits here. You believed that we could pull it off, and you chose to be a part of it.”
The Art for All campaign, which temporarily paused during the 2020 pandemic, is now funding three major public art projects that will define the new Town Center on Main & DeLay Nature Park:
- The Tunnel Art Installation:
Funded by a grant from Norfolk Southern, this railroad underpass will become a vibrant, illuminated tunnel designed by artist Jill Arnold. Visitors’ silhouettes will be cast in shifting colors as they walk through, transforming what Brinson once called a “sad and forlorn” space into a “happy tunnel.” Installation is expected by mid-2026. - The Signature Piece:
With a $1 million budget, this monumental artwork will crown the hilltop near the Swan Circle pavilions. The international Request for Qualifications (RFQ) launches later this year, with completion anticipated in 2027 or early 2028. - The Gateway Piece:
Planned as the final installation, this sculptural landmark will greet visitors at the park’s entrance, symbolizing Suwanee’s ongoing commitment to creativity, accessibility, and community identity.
A Permanent Display of Gratitude: The Donor Wall
A highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of the Donor Recognition Wall on the Reeves Young-sponsored bridge—a striking installation designed to serve as a “visible, public, and permanent” testament to the generosity that made Suwanee’s art vision a reality.
Brinson explained that the wall’s purpose is threefold: to express gratitude to donors, inspire future contributions, and preserve the story of how Suwanee’s art movement came to life through civic partnership.
Major sponsors recognized included: Reeves Young – The Bridge, Scott Hudgins Family Foundation – Veterans Memorial, Norfolk Southern – The Tunnel, Primerica – Playtown Suwanee, Drs. Chetal and Uday Parikh – The Waterfall and The Neelagaru Family – The Reading Grotto (the first significant sponsor of the campaign)
Honoring a Visionary: Dr. Neelagaru’s Legacy
The emotional centerpiece of the day was the recognition of Dr. N. Neelagaru, whose generosity and leadership helped ignite the Art for All campaign. A cardiologist, banker, and philanthropist, Dr. Neelagaru was lauded for decades of community support, from local businesses to education and the arts.
Brinson also announced that Dr. Neelagaru had recently received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, joining an esteemed group of recipients including Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, and several U.S. Presidents.
Taking the stage to applause, Dr. Neelagaru shared his heartfelt reflections:
“When I chose to give back, it was not charity but a gesture of gratitude. Gratitude to your city that embraced me, encouraged me, and allowed me to give something meaningful in return.” He added:“This city is special. It is where business meets beauty and progress meets heart. May our city continue to shine in wisdom, in unity, and in heart.”
New Mural and Community Art Initiatives Unveiled at Suwanee Park
The celebration also featured the unveiling of an exciting new mural and several community art initiatives that showcase Suwanee’s growing cultural footprint.
One of the most captivating new installations is the “Bookshelf” mural, created by Pat Perry, an acclaimed artist from Detroit, Michigan, chosen after an international call that drew nearly 100 entries. Known for his realism and large-scale compositions, Perry transformed three adjoining walls into an immersive artistic experience.
The mural celebrates literature, featuring a collection of objects that symbolize 21 works of literature, stories, allegories, and myths. Visitors can engage in a creative “Easter egg hunt,” using a QR code on the dedication plaque to identify the represented works.
Perry completed the mural in just two weeks, and it has already become a photogenic, interactive landmark that connects art and storytelling in the heart of Suwanee.
Perry, who has painted in war-torn regions and worked with refugee families, spoke warmly of his time in Suwanee, describing the city’s residents as “exceptionally kind — people who go out of their way to help strangers.”
Honoring a City Leader Through Art: “Novel Idea” Bench
The mural’s location near the Gwinnett County Public Library’s Suwanee Branch, the busiest in the county, underscored the city’s partnership with the library system.
A second highlight of the event was the “Novel Idea” bench, a temporary SculpTour installation by Craig Gray of Key West, Florida. Carved in granite, the bench features literary titles chosen by library patrons.
An effort is now underway to permanently purchase the piece in honor of former City Council member Dick Goodman, Suwanee’s first Public Art Commission member and longtime Library Board chair, remembered for his love of reading and civic service. The Goodman family has already raised 50% of the required funds to make this tribute permanent.
Suwanee’s celebration was also forward-looking, with announcements of several new community art projects and cultural expansions:
- Place Making Grant: A newly secured grant from Explore Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Creativity Fund will enhance the area surrounding the mural with wood accents, benches, and artistic seating, transforming it into a warm, welcoming public space.
- Suwanee Arts Center Expansion: The Suwanee Arts Center is preparing a capital campaign to expand into an adjacent small house, creating a space for more hands-on “messy” arts like glass blowing and pottery throwing.
- Community Events: Residents were invited to enjoy ongoing local traditions such as the Chalk Walk for youth artists, trick-or-treating in the park, and the new Suwanee Circle outdoor food truck and beverage park.
