Aubri Sparkman is Hattiesburg’s youngest muralist and possibly the youngest muralist in the state of Mississippi. The 19-year-old artist has undoubtedly made a name for herself in the Magnolia State’s public art scene. Her passion for art was instilled in her from a young age, with her great-grandfather being a renowned street artist in New Orleans. This artistic lineage and her mother and sister being artists have deeply influenced Sparkman’s creative journey.
At 15, Sparkman seized an opportunity presented by the Hattiesburg Arts Alliance for Public Art (HAPA). The organization, in a bid to celebrate the diverse creative art in the community, was looking for artists to paint utility boxes across the city of Hattiesburg. This initiative aimed to create a unique trail featuring original paintings on these utility boxes, and Sparkman was one of the artists selected for this innovative project.
“I applied for the utility box trail project, uncertain if I would ever be considered. But I was, and that opened many doors for me. I believe it’s important to always try,” Sparkman shared, a testament to her resilience and determination in pursuing her passion.
Sparkman’s mother homeschooled her, and she shared that she would not have been able to invest as much time into her art had she not had the opportunity to homeschool.
“Hattiesburg is a great place to grow up as an artist. There are so many opportunities to here,” Sparkman stated.
Now a freshman at the University of Southern Mississippi, the Hub City native studies architectural engineering.
“I love being able to beautify spaces, and I want to continue to do that through my art and as an architectural engineer,” she shared.
Sparkman’s achievements in the state are awe-inspiring. As one of the youngest artists in Mississippi, she has already left her mark on the Magnolia State with stunning large-scale outdoor murals in Hattiesburg and Vicksburg. Her work can also be seen in Starkville, the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum, and in some children’s clinics and small businesses in the Pine Belt area.
“Public art is so important because it connects people to their community. I love being able to talk to and meet many people while working on a mural, whether in my hometown in Hattiesburg or another city in Mississippi,” Sparkman said. “Public art contributes to tourism and beautifies areas that might have been overlooked over time; it’s rewarding to be a part of something so beautiful like that.”
Sparkman’s work not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of any community but it also fosters a sense of connection among its residents. Her largest mural to date is a 30X60-foot outdoor creation in Hattiesburg that took about two and a half weeks to complete.
The young artist shared that she is outside from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. when working on a large scale mural. Further proof of her commitment to her craft, and the time and effort she puts into each piece.
With a recent grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission, Sparkman is now designing a new mural for a non-profit organization in Hattiesburg.
“I love Mississippi,” she said with a smile. “There are so many opportunities to do things like this here; it’s amazing.”
Sparkman’s love for her state is palpable, and her appreciation for the opportunities it has given her is a testament to the vibrant artistic community in Mississippi.
