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A community service organization serving the Southland area of Lexington.
Community Projects
A selection of projects that reflect The Southland Association's commitment to stewardship and collaboration.
Southland Welcome Sign
Installed in 2016 at the Nicholasville road entrance to the Southland drive, the Welcome Sign serves as a variable gateway and identity marker for the Southland community. Inspired by the fret and strings of a guitar, the sign highlights Southland Drive's music history and mid-century aesthetic. The sign was a partnership between The Southland Association, the City of Lexington, and University of Kentucky design student, Charlie Hall. As a long standing monument, the sign has welcomed residents and visitors to Southland for a decade.
Public Art Sculptures
Retrofitting The Retro was a collaborative public art initiative between LexArts, The Southland Association, The City of Lexington and The National Endowment for the Arts. Four sculptures were purchased for permanent exhibition on Southland Drive including:
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Efflorescence el Viento
Deana Hoffman Lloyd Hughes
2018 | Mild Steel with Patina 2020 | Copper & Steel
Battery Bench Portal No. 1
Don Lawler Rod Lindauer
2016 | Limestone 2017 | Stainless Steel
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RailRoad Bridge Mural
The colorful music themed on the railroad bridge along Southland Dr. add bold visual presence to the corridor, transforming and otherwise utilitarian space in to a point of character and recognition. The mural contributes to the community's creative landscape and reflects the role of public art in shaping how people experience shared infrastructure. As part of the Southland community's on going efforts to document and care for public art, additional information will be added about the mural's history.
Other Community Projects
The Southland Association has supported a range of projects that enhance everyday life in the community. These efforts include sidewalk and landscape improvements, pedestrian safety enhancements, public transit access through the LexTran bus route and shelter and community building events such as the Sunday Farmers Market and the annual Southland Street Fair. The community has also been home to long running cultural Traditions like the Southland Jamboree, which has grown into its own independent organization. Together these projects reflect and ongoing commitment to accessibility, walkability, local commerce, and gathering spaces that support a connected and welcoming Southland.