MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – A tradition since 2016, Mount Pleasant’s traffic signal art box program, is currently accepting applications for more artists, as they work to beautify street corners across the town.
Next time you’re stopped at a red light, keep an eye out for artwork in unlikely places. Like traffic boxes around Mount Pleasant, turning street corners into galleries.
One of the first Traffic Box Artists and Creative Director of Gibbes Museum, Erin Banks, explained this program allows everyone to look at art while sitting in traffic.
“It’s a chance to take something ordinary and make it beautiful, which is something we should be trying to do in all aspects of life” said Banks.
Banks was one of the first artists to participate in the program, her work along Highway 17, at the corner of Home Depot. Proudly paying tribute to a familiar site along the corridor. Explaining, the corner of Highway 17 has a long tradition of sweetgrass basket makers.
“In this piece, I wanted to honor that tradition and also create something beautiful when we have that traffic” said Banks.
The program is an initiative by the Town of Mount Pleasant partnering with local artists to showcase art on traffic boxes.
“It’s easy to lose sight of the things that make this town so significant, so unique to the country. The community has a long heritage of the Sweetgrass Basket making craft” said Banks.
The Community Affairs and Marketing Division Chief of Mount Pleasant Rec. Dept, Nicole Harvey, explained it’s a great program for artists.
“For the artist, it’s just a really good way for them to depending on the program, they get great recognition and it really makes them feel a sense of pride.” said Harvey.
9 years later, almost 50 boxes are wrapped around town and they’re looking to expand. As they are searching for more artists to cover boxes around the area.
“It’s also just a great way to showcase the divers and wonderful artistic talent that we have in the Lowcountry” said Harvey.
Art themes and scenes inspired by the Lowcountry or Mount Pleasant are encouraged. However, the door is wide open for all art concepts.
“We can work with just about any art. But it has to be very high resolution as you might imagine, because this is a very big box” said Harvey.
Selected artists will receive a $250 stipend paid by the Town of Mount Pleasant, artist recognition, mention in press releases and promotional materials, as well as artists credentials and work included on social media.
Banks explained being an artist herself, she feels most artists go for everything. “Anytime you have an opportunity to get your work out in public to expose it and write for the artists and people in the community, it’s always a good thing” said Banks.
The Town of Mount Pleasant is accepting applications from artists who want to be apart of this program. The deadline to apply is September 29th, 2025. Artists will be selected October 1st, 2025.
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