MFA alum Taylor Shaw recently returned to Athens to completed a 33-foot “5 Points” mural at 1739 South Lumpkin Street on the side of Barberitos restaurant, his fifth and largest to date in Athens. Shaw was commissioned for the project after company founder and CEO Downing Barber saw his work featured on the cover of Flagpole Magazine.

“I was on board from the beginning,” said Shaw. “For some reason, I picked up on a ’70s funk vibe (when speaking with Barber), and when I actually got to the building, I was surprised to see some retro graphic designs were already there. I’d naturally connected with the space.”

Shaw, who received his Master of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Georgia Lamar Dodd School of Art last year, currently teaches sculpture 2D design at Valdosta State University. After presenting his hand-drawn concept to Barber over a 2-week period, Shaw drove to Athens after class and spent Labor Day weekend completing the Five Points mural.

“I spent 6 hours making a 20-foot stencil before I even got there,” said Shaw. “It’s an intense process, and it’s pretty taxing on the body, but I get to zone out and listen to music while I’m doing it.”

Before moving to Athens to pursue art, Shaw spent his entire life in the restaurant business, including a 15-year stint at Dewey Destin’s Seafood in his hometown of Destin, Fla., and starting a food truck in Austin, Tx. that turned into a full-blown restaurant. Barber’s decision to put public art on the side of a Barberitos location is one Shaw supports, and Barber is thrilled with the result.

“It’s just unbelievable,” said Barber. “I was out of town last week, and it was done when I got back. I knew he was a UGA graduate, and he’d spent time in the community, but the wow factor was huge. I think it’ll be a fun new spot for people to come and take pictures.”

Shaw is also responsible for the “Greetings From Athens” postcard in the alley beside Classic City Cycling at 230 West Clayton Street, the “Hey Baby” sign outside of Chuck’s Fish at 220 West Broad Street, a mural at Creature Comforts Brewing Co., and an installation at the Southern Brewing Company.

“There’s something magical about a small town that has such a cool sense of community,” Shaw said of Athens. “Once you get to know everybody, you see it’s small and big at the same time.”

- Online Athens, Andrew Shearer