A white squirrel sculpture rests beside a curb with parked cars and traffic in the background. — The sculptures are installed in everyday public spaces where walkers and drivers can spot them around Norcross.

Norcross has installed 12 bronze white-squirrel sculptures across the city, creating an art hunt inspired by an unusual animal residents have reported seeing for generations.

A white squirrel sculpture near a sidewalk lamp post with a man standing nearby. — One of Norcross’ white-squirrel sculptures sits along a downtown sidewalk as part of the citywide art hunt.

A white squirrel sculpture lies on a stone wall beside a metal post. — White-squirrel sculptures have appeared in a variety of spots across the city, from wall tops to landscaped corners.

A traveling 13th sculpture is expected to arrive in December, completing the first phase of the Norcross Public Arts Commission project.

A white squirrel sculpture lies on a stone ledge above a walkway and lawn. — White-squirrel sculptures are now installed across Norcross as part of an expanding public-art hunt.

A white squirrel sculpture sits on a circular base near a curb and landscaped verge beside a busy street. — One of the sculptures marks the art hunt route along a street corner in Norcross.

Liz Simpson, chair of the commission, said local stories and photographs of leucistic white squirrels helped make the animal a natural choice for the public-art project. Leucistic squirrels have reduced pigmentation but are not necessarily albino.

The commission first included an art hunt in its 2023 Master Arts and Cultural Plan. When residents were surveyed about possible mascots during Art Splash in 2024, choices included bees, frogs and birds.

“Nothing resonated with the citizens like the white squirrels,” Simpson told North Atlanta Star.

The commission selected Cherrylion Studios to create the sculptures. Artists used a white patina while allowing parts of the underlying bronze to provide shadows, depth and definition.

A white squirrel sculpture stands on a stone ledge beside flowers and a brick wall. — Artists used a white patina and bronze shadows to give each sculpture depth and definition.

The installed squirrels appear in different poses selected to fit their locations. Art Hunt cards containing a map are available at participating stores and restaurants, the Norcross Welcome Center, Norcross Gallery & Studios, City Hall and the Public Safety building.

Two people sit on a bench near a low stone wall with a white squirrel sculpture on top. — White-squirrel sculptures appear in a range of settings across Norcross, including benches, walls and landscaped corners.

A white squirrel sculpture reclines on a stone ledge in front of black metal railings. — The squirrels were designed in different poses to fit their locations along the hunt route.

A Traveling Squirrel Joins the Hunt

The final sculpture in the first phase is named Leuci, a reference to leucism.

Leuci stands on a train case filled with small gifts and was designed to move among temporary but secure installations. Norcross Public Works is expected to relocate the sculpture every few months among four planned “whistle stops.”

A white squirrel sculpture stretched along the base of a black post in a mulched bed. — The traveling Leuci sculpture is designed for temporary but secure installations.

The sculpture was delayed while traveling from a Utah foundry to Atlanta for finishing work. The commission now expects Leuci to reach Norcross in mid-December, potentially in time for the winter holidays.

Additional stops could be added in 2027.

Seven More Squirrels Planned for Pinnacle Park

The commission is also preparing a second phase at Pinnacle Park in East Norcross.

Plans call for seven additional squirrel sculptures along the park’s arboretum art walk. Each installation would help tell the story of a different tree species and its historical medicinal uses.

A white squirrel sculpture stands upright with its paws raised on a round base in a mulched area. — Norcross plans seven more squirrel sculptures for Pinnacle Park’s arboretum art walk.

The Gwinnett Creativity Fund recently awarded the commission a $9,600 grant for the Pinnacle Park phase. The grant will be combined with commission funding and private contributions.

Installation is expected by the end of April 2027, when spring weather could make the arboretum a natural destination for the expanded art walk.

The commission began raising money for the project during Art Splash in 2025 and has collected approximately $10,000. Anne Hall, the former director of Norcross Gallery & Studios, made the first major contribution, donating $1,500 toward a sculpture at the gallery’s Carlyle Street location.

Residents interested in supporting the project can contact the Norcross Public Arts Commission.