What began as a creative pitch for a public art master plan turned into a tense moment at the Cornelia City Commission workshop earlier this week.
Audrey Davenport, local artist and CEO of Soque Street, LLC, submitted a “soft proposal” outlining a vision to guide short- and long-term public art projects throughout Cornelia. Her plan, estimated to cost between $25,000 and $50,000 annually, includes community engagement, alignment with zoning and tourism efforts, and local artist collaboration.
Davenport, who painted the city’s first mural celebrating the Tim Loves Tink underpass in 2024, positioned the proposal as an investment in culture, identity, and economic growth. But not everyone saw it that way.
While Mayor John Borrow expressed support for public art in principle, he called the proposal’s price tag “hard to justify to taxpayers.” The commission ultimately opted to counter with a reduced-budget version.
Underlying the fiscal debate, however, were more personal tensions that became apparent, particularly between Davenport and Commissioner Tony Cook. Borrow referenced a previous comment Davenport made, calling on the city to “demonstrate that the city gives a damn about our neighborhood.”
Cook bristled at that remark. “She doesn’t give a damn about our neighborhood,” he said during the meeting. “I hate to say it like that, but I live in the neighborhood that she’s in and she ain’t worth a damn.”
When reached for comment after the meeting, Davenport said she is preparing a formal response to Cook’s statements.
The commission’s response to Davenport’s proposal is expected at a future meeting.
