Chain-linked fences, wrought-iron fences and maybe even white-pickett fences are intended to separate yards or keep certain people and pets in or out of a specific area.

But recently fences are transforming into a new use: a canvas-like structure to display art in a public area.

Thanks to Atlanta Celebrates Photography, along with collaboration of the Vision 2030 Public Arts Committee, the City of Gainesville, the Arts Council and the Gainesville Rotary Club, the Georgia Fence Project is in full swing at two locations in Gainesville: the city’s construction fence at Roosevelt Square and the The Art Council’s fence on Broad Street next to the outdoor Train Museum.

The project, which is a juried art show, consists of 10 Georgia artists with their selected pieces in a monthlong exhibition along 300 linear feet of fence. The exhibit features photography that loosely fits the themes of home, streets, people, creatures, nature and play.

Artists featured on the Fence are Nick Gruenberg, Fernando Decillis, Michael Reese, Paige McFall, Andrew Feiler, Kelly Kline, Dorothy O’Connor, Casey Lance Brown, Patrick Heagney and Blake Burton.

The Fence Project started in Atlanta and has migrated to Gainesville.

“Atlanta Celebrates Photography contacted us because they had a successful Fence Project in Atlanta on the Beltway,” said Gladys Wyant, executive director of the Arts Council and member of the Vision 2030 Public Art Committee. “So they wanted to something this year with the Georgia artists and expand their reach into different parts of the state.”

She explained the project is not of any cost but time since Atlanta Celebrates Photography has a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to help offset the expense.

“They have paid for the bulk of the expenses other than our time and hanging it, loading it and so forth,” Wyant said, noting the project is a volunteer effort. “We rarely have that opportunity because normally our projects cost more money, so we were really excited.”

As this is the first time for this event to be in Gainesville, much thought went into its date and location. The first hurdle was to find 300 feet of linear fence to accommodate the art and in a pedestrian-access area.

“That’s why we have it two different locations,” Wyant said. “One is in downtown on Roosevelt Square, which is the major location. It just so happened that the city of Gainesville has a construction project going on and this actually helps up the ugliness behind the fence as well as the provide good art artwork photography. The rest of it is down by the train engine on the Art’s Council’s property.”

With the first hurdle cleared, the second was to determine the date of displaying the art.

She said the city wanted to have it when there would be “greater access to the art.” Therefore, the groups selected September to October to allow foot traffic from several events to pass by both areas. Activities happening during the monthlong project included Art in the Square, Mule Camp, the Georgia Art Educator’s Conference and a statewide meeting for Gainesville.

With time and place nailed down, Wyant said passers-by can enjoy pieces from Georgia artists, even though, the “content is not necessarily from Georgia.”

“Most of them (the photographs) are colored, and there’s a couple banners that are in black and white,” she said.

Wyant added the Fence Project is another avenue for the Vision 2030’s idea to generate more public art in our community.

“This is one of the ways that we are doing it through this temporary art exhibit,” Wyant said. “A number of the exhibits throughout the community will be permanent pieces on display, and we would like for Gainesville to be known as an art town. We want an art-friendly community for public art.”