Gainesville is a breeding ground for creative expression, whether it be in the form or music, visual art or theater. There is no shortage of local innovation.
Street art and murals in particular began making a statement a few years back, and one of the paramount artists behind the rise in the local art scene is muralist, Jenna Horner.
Having grown up in Gainesville, the colors and natural elements found in this region are certainly reflected in her art. Horner’s large-scale murals found throughout town bring a sense of pride to the close-knit community. Her work can be easily identified by her whimsical and vibrant style, which runs parallel with her spirit and personality.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, Horner found herself asking, “All right, well what’s next?” She commenced to throwing herself into any and all projects and opportunities that would bring her closer to her career as an artist.
In 2015, Horner was selected as one of the contributing artists for a major street art project put on by 352 Walls. That project started a domino effect in her career. It continued to fuel her passion and imagination with new projects all over town.
“There is so much progression happening here all the time, and it’s fun to be a part of that rise,” Horner said.
Much of Horner’s work can be found in public spaces, bringing people together and curating vivid stories both historical and fictional. Williams Elementary School, First Magnitude Brewery, Fourth Ave. Food Park and the downtown parking garage are a few of them.
More recently, Horner wrapped up a project at Luke’s New York Bagel Shop, where her message is clearly stated amongst the kaleidoscopic paint cluster: “Just be Nice.”
Horner’s here-and-now outlook is part of what makes each mural so special. The outcome is not always reflective of the initial blueprints, which is one aspect that makes the process so magical for Horner.
“I still have a deep connection to my imaginative side that feels very childlike and playful,” she said. “I love using my imagination and then seeing it come to life at the end, and sometimes it’s even a surprise to me.”
Murals appear permanent in the space they take up, engulfing the entirety of a wall. It may be surprising to know that part of what makes them so cool, in Horner’s eyes, is how temporary they really are. These murals are exposed to the natural elements, and new art may one day cover them up.
“The mural just lives there, and eventually it dies there too,” Horner said. “All murals have a time span, and they serve their purpose in that space for however long, and that is part of the process.”
By Madison Rae