Arts & Entertainment

Art Gets Renewed Energy in Lilburn

Murals, the Lilburn Art Alliance and more are just getting started, but already the city has big plans.

Twenty years ago, Sonny Franks was a little less gray-haired, but no less enthusiastic about bringing art to Lilburn residents.

At the time, Franks first started thinking that something needed to be done about the wall over on the Cofer Electric building, located at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Main Street in Old Town.

His very first design -- an "old-timey," fictional company, the Lilburn Locomotive Works. He even approached city council then about getting it done.

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"I didn't have any gray hair back when I first did that," Franks joked, "and, now I told them, 'We got to finally get started while I can still climb a ladder.'"

He later added: "I just said I'm either going to paint it, or die trying."

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As one of those creative spirits who simply wants to share what he loves with everyone else, it made sense for him to put pencil to paper for public art. Several months ago, the Lilburn bridge design came to him.

He made at least 10 over the years, and now, the city of Lilburn has finally commissioned him to draw that long-thought-out mural. That piece of art will spur more creative genius, Franks and city officials are hoping.

Thanks to the Lilburn Art Alliance that just may happen.


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