JCPA prepares for a colorful 2026 in Johnson City

The Johnson City Public Art committee is wanting to bring pops of color to Johnson City this year. Jocelyn Mathewes, executive chair of the Johnson City Public Art Committee, said the JCPA has opportunities every year that encourage local artists to show their creations to the community. "We do have a lot of recurring events and recurring exhibitions, and also calls for art that happen all around the city," Mathewes said. Two of the JCPA's biggest events that will be making a return this year are the Art Struck Festival and the 5x5 Fundraiser. Mathewes said the Art Struck Festival, happening April 25, creates an environment for artists and vendors to share their works with others and causes connectivity in the community. "That festival includes usually around 50-plus local and regional vendors," she said. "It includes performances, arts demonstrations, family and children's activities as well as a lot of opportunities to come and be together in the outdoors in downtown Johnson City right by the Pavilion and the adjacent Founders Park." The 5x5 Fundraiser, however, happens in August, and it serves as the JCPA's chance to receive funding from the participation of the community. Mathewes said the event is usually well-liked and that many participants "have to be held back" from the sale. "This is where we raise money for our programming through selling five-by-five pieces of artwork that are donated by artists and community members in and around Johnson City," Mathewes said. Alongside the events, the JCPA also hosts a "Children's Banner Exhibition" call for kids ages 5 through 12, where kids can submit their artwork to be selected and presented on the banners hung on the light poles throughout downtown Johnson City. A Chalk Art Competition also takes place during the Art Struck Festival and is an opportunity for anyone to win some cash prizes based on the chalk art. One of the biggest things happening in 2026, though, is the installation of a new mural in Johnson City by artist David Zayas, who is creating the piece based on the works of three local poets. "We haven't determined the date for this, but we have a major mural going in late this summer," Mathewes said. "I don't have a specific date when that's going to happen, but it has been a project at least three years in the making, so we would love for community members to show up when they see an announcement for that." Another work-in-progress for the JCPA is the Founders Park arch and sundial. Mathewes said while the project could take a bit of time, revitalizing the dial and arch will help bring more life to the downtown area. "Unfortunatley, those two pieces have been deteriorating over a couple of years, and so we've formed a new initiative to work towards refreshing that and updating it," she said. "It matters to the public what the main entrance of the park looks like, and so we're going to reinvigorate that." With a mission to "enhance the livability and cultural identity of Johnson City," Mathewes said the projects and events put on by the JCPA are meant to highlight the local talent while fostering community connection between people and the art that surrounds them. "Art is one of the ways we express our identity, but also care for our community and connect with each other," she said.