Public Art in Lilburn
In front of Music on Main
Mural by Sonny Franks
Photography by Emil Powella
Located outside Music on Main, this vibrant mural is both a tribute to music and a deeply personal piece for artist Sonny Franks. Inspired by the legendary rock band the Grateful Dead, the first section of the mural features a 50-foot guitar fretboard based on the custom instrument of Jerry Garcia, the band’s iconic lead guitarist. The second section—added when the wall was extended—displays the lyric “Let there be songs to fill the air” from the Grateful Dead’s song Ripple, a fitting nod to the music school and live venue it faces.
This mural also holds special meaning as the last project Sonny painted with his late wife, Peggy, whose name appears in a small dedication on the wall. Scattered throughout are hidden details that add to its charm: a wolf howling at the moon, which Sonny designed as a stencil and invited Music on Main’s owner, Scott McCready, to paint; a tiny turtle included at the request of a passerby; and a silhouette of a girl reaching toward a shooting star. Many of the stars themselves were painted by local children, who dipped Q-tips in white paint to leave their mark. For Sonny, these contributions transform the mural from a piece of art into a shared story within the community.
In front Lilburn City Park
Mural by Sonny Franks
Located in the pavilion at Lilburn City Park, this mural is built around a quote by Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Artist Sonny Franks had wanted to paint this quote for years, and the opportunity finally came when the pavilion wall became available. For Sonny, the words are profound—an invitation for people to reflect on their own purpose, whether they’ve discovered it yet or are still searching.
Wanting to make the mural a true community piece, Sonny invited residents to take part in its creation. He outlined the central figure—a person leaping joyfully into the air—and had the park manager’s daughter and her friend fill it in. The large tree was painted during a gathering with friends, and other volunteers added the grassy details. A small sign at the bottom left lists the names of everyone who contributed. A QR code on the right side of the mural invites visitors to share their own “why,” and over time, it has sparked meaningful conversations. One neighbor shared with Sonny that surviving a near-fatal accident led her to become a patient coordinator, helping families navigate the challenges she once faced herself. For Sonny, stories like these are exactly what the mural is meant to inspire—personal reflections that turn a philosophical question into a deeply human connection.
In Lilburn City Park
Located in Lilburn Park, this bronze sculpture of children at play captures the joy and imagination that fill Lilburn’s parks and gathering spaces. Provided through a collaborative effort between the City of Lilburn, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Lilburn Woman’s Club, the piece stands as a tribute to community partnership and the simple beauty of childhood.
Its playful energy reminds visitors that Lilburn’s charm isn’t just found in its buildings and trails—it lives in the laughter and togetherness that make this city feel like home.
In City Hall Lobby
Painting by Sonny Franks
The Painted Piano in Lilburn City Hall’s lobby is a burst of color and pattern, born from a city initiative to place artist-decorated pianos in public spaces for anyone to play. When asked to design one, artist Sonny Franks drew inspiration from one of his favorite motifs: paisley. He envisioned a “Purple Paisley Piano,” loving the alliteration as much as the bold, swirling design itself.
The specific paisley pattern came from an unexpected source. While attending a wedding in Mexico, Sonny spotted a woman on the beach wearing a striking paisley print. Enchanted by the design, he approached her to ask if he could photograph it for reference. She graciously agreed, later sending him clear pictures of the fabric so he could adapt it to the piano.
Painting the piece became a father-daughter project. After the piano sat primed in the garage for months, Sonny’s daughter Jessica took the lead, urging, “We’re going to paint this thing.” Together, they brought the vision to life, transforming the instrument into a vibrant work of art. For Sonny, the project wasn’t just about creating a beautiful object, it was about sharing a creative bond.
In Lilburn City Park
Mural by Sonny Franks
Wrapping around the pavilion wall in Lilburn City Park, the Night Sky mural serves as a continuation of the What Is Your Why? piece, sharing part of the same painted tree. As the trunk and branches extend around the corner, the scene shifts into a deep, starlit sky. At its center is the silhouette of a girl gazing upward, as if experiencing a moment of revelation or wonder.
Sonny Franks intentionally involved the community in bringing the mural to life. He outlined the key elements, then invited others to help fill in the colors, including painting many of the stars. For Sonny, these shared brushstrokes add more than just visual texture—they give the mural a sense of collective ownership, making it a piece that belongs not only to the park, but to everyone who has a hand in its creation.
Mural by Sonny Franks
The Bridge Mural is one of artist Sonny Franks’ proudest achievements—and the project that opened the door for much of the city’s public art. For years, Sonny pitched designs for the space without approval, until attending a seminar by world-renowned muralist Eric Grohe inspired him to create a concept so compelling it couldn’t be turned down. He stayed up all night designing it, and by sunrise, he knew he had something special. When the city council gave the green light, Sonny spent a month bringing his vision to life, transforming the once-blank wall into a striking landmark.
Completed about a decade ago, the Bridge Mural marked a turning point in Lilburn’s embrace of public art. Its success sparked new opportunities for murals throughout the city and helped establish Sonny as a respected muralist well beyond Georgia. Since then, he has painted across the country as part of the Walldogs, an international group of mural artists who travel to towns each year to create works tied to local history and culture. For Sonny, the Bridge Mural isn’t just a piece of art—it’s the project that cemented his role in shaping Lilburn’s visual identity and connected him to a community of artists who share his passion for transforming public spaces.
Mural by Sonny Franks
Bright and whimsical, the Butterflies mural is filled with vibrant wings in flight—and countless personal stories hidden in its details. Artist Sonny Franks painted the mural with help from his wife, daughter, and neighborhood children, many of whom “adopted” a butterfly. Sonny invited them to choose one, then quietly added their initials so each child could return and spot their own butterfly in the design.
The mural also features an interactive element: a large butterfly positioned as if it’s flying through a window. A hidden handle at its tail allows visitors to stand on a nearby box, strike a pose, and appear as if they’re being lifted into the air. Around the scene are smaller touches with special meaning, including a tiny ladybug on the windowsill. This detail honors the Ladybug Garden Club, whose volunteers care for Lilburn’s butterfly garden, part of the international Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail. Sonny dedicated the mural to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, receiving a heartfelt letter from the Carter Center in return.
For Sonny, these details—many unnoticed at first glance—are what give the mural its true spirit. It’s not just a work of art, but a tribute to nature, community, and the people who help it flourish.
Near entrance to Greenway Trail
Photography by Emil Powella
If you’ve walked or biked the Camp Creek Greenway Trail, you may have noticed a splash of color greeting you near the park entrance — a whimsical sculpture made entirely from bicycles!
Back in 2012, Mayor Johnny Crist invited residents to donate their retired bikes to help create a unique piece of public art celebrating Lilburn’s love of the outdoors. With the help of Gober Welding and Miller’s Powder Coating — who generously donated their time and talent — the idea took shape. The result is a joyful display of creativity and community spirit that encourages everyone to hop on their own set of wheels and enjoy the trail!
Mural by Vickie McCrary
In Lilburn City Park
Installed along the Camp Creek Greenway Trail in September 2020, Garden Back Path adds a vibrant pop of color to Lilburn’s outdoor art collection. Created by artist Vickie McCrary as part of Gwinnett County’s Button Art Project, this piece celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy of discovery found just off the beaten path.
One of more than 200 “buttons” placed across Gwinnett cities, Garden Back Path reflects Lilburn’s spirit—art, community, and nature intertwined. Take a stroll along the trail, find Button #7, and enjoy how art blooms in unexpected places!
In Front of Lilburn City Hall
Located outside Lilburn City Hall, the Button Art Map is a large, round map that greets visitors as they walk in. Painted by Sonny Franks, it’s more than just a map—it’s full of fun details and personal touches from the artist.
One of those details is a playful tribute to Robert Crumb, a famous underground comic artist from the 1960s and ’70s. Sonny included Crumb’s Keep on Truckin’ character as a little Easter egg for anyone who spots it. It’s a reminder that public art can be both useful and full of surprises.