It's a Vibe! Discover The Downtown Canton Parking Deck Mural
When it came time for the City of Canton to design and build a new parking deck, they did so with not only increased parking and sustainability as goals (the deck is home to a solar canopy and 10 electric charging stations) but also with placemaking top of mind.
![It's a Vibe mural in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC08120.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=bc32ce49c0bbe12b3eade789f76dcfb1 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC08120.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2511b93f7e10d3094043c96418e69294 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC08120.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=59d08a7639d04461f3a7429438c2e39e 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC08120.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=44ecf2d83057255a7ab1ea1055be800a 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC08120.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=03e8495c2d83afc8055b887efbc242e2 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC08120.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=60a2cc2c41af46f78d8e4a94cf42646e 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/DSC08120.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=d2362cc8d03c8fd5b7945bd4ed5775cc 1793w)
The capital project included a large wall meant specifically to fulfill the city's Roadmap to Success initiatives of placemaking and public art. When the deck opened to the public in fall 2022, the city and the Canton Cultural Arts Commission got to work on a call for artists. The large-scale project was awarded to Atlanta-area artist Lauren Stumberg. Her stunning mural in the heart of the historic district was revealed this spring and is called "It's a Vibe." The work symbolizes the collective safety of neighborhoods; climbing toward goals; transformation; and community, plus it celebrates the growing arts and culture vibe in Canton. The mural also includes a nod to the Etowah River that flows through Canton.
![Lauren Stumberg, the artist for the It's a Vibe mural in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Ribbon_Cutting_Its_a_Vibe_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.14%2032.77&q=80&w=320&s=06286cf36df0395eb1de2e1032b4bea9 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Ribbon_Cutting_Its_a_Vibe_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.14%2032.77&q=80&w=540&s=f21d68987da80ada84943d9735fa4994 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Ribbon_Cutting_Its_a_Vibe_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.14%2032.77&q=80&w=768&s=4cfe3a676222fd449f82da6e3df40786 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Ribbon_Cutting_Its_a_Vibe_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.14%2032.77&q=80&w=1024&s=c07f17eaa30571b9e1307a6e35468f14 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Ribbon_Cutting_Its_a_Vibe_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.14%2032.77&q=80&w=1200&s=603e41638e916d4d08e7b4306e360c92 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Ribbon_Cutting_Its_a_Vibe_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.14%2032.77&q=80&w=1440&s=d2ba20c83a08fcab4946cd4916273e72 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Ribbon_Cutting_Its_a_Vibe_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.14%2032.77&q=80&w=1920&s=948217c96991b73ca754f4ee9e0be3cf 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Ribbon_Cutting_Its_a_Vibe_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=49.14%2032.77&q=80&w=2560&s=121f0950097f88402b01e9a98a61102b 2046w)
A reflection of the human experience and a beacon of connective energy, this vibrant placemaking project can be seen for blocks as it enhances the landscape and inspires happiness, both vital objectives of successful placemaking and public art programs.
![Its a Vibe mural in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Parking_Deck_Its_a_Vibe_Mural_015.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8152d4e44de2304fc71a499d5aca3b12 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Parking_Deck_Its_a_Vibe_Mural_015.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3c8457f11e56c6606ef68273984bc22a 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Parking_Deck_Its_a_Vibe_Mural_015.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=5e97a53def21c82b0fe5ec7259eb9a80 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Parking_Deck_Its_a_Vibe_Mural_015.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=8b60206ca1d4ef0fb0967ff8e3cb2825 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Parking_Deck_Its_a_Vibe_Mural_015.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f7f435be1727f83d48554320985e4b79 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Parking_Deck_Its_a_Vibe_Mural_015.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6750ab1d63170b26e63a1a51b373530c 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Parking_Deck_Its_a_Vibe_Mural_015.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=3688fba86c82c158fef32e716b400a3b 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Parking_Deck_Its_a_Vibe_Mural_015.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=6bd38b679ae13ea3f7ab76a326472d3d 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Parking_Deck_Its_a_Vibe_Mural_015.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=b2af8fd5c3bcaf884191ff5e91395dcc 3840w)
Canton is proud that this professional artwork strengthens downtown's creative identity, visibly tells a local story of inclusivity and forward direction, and sparks excitement against the backdrop of well-preserved project reveals that strategic — not necessarily large — investment in placemaking can literally paint a picture of inspiration for residents and visitors alike.
This article was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.