LUBBOCK MAYOR MARK MCBRAYER ASKS CITY STAFF TO INVESTIGATE FIRST FRIDAY ART TRAIL COMPLAINT

LUBBOCK MAYOR MARK MCBRAYER ASKS CITY STAFF TO INVESTIGATE FIRST FRIDAY ART TRAIL COMPLAINT

The controversy surrounding artwork displayed during Lubbock’s First Friday Art Trail has now reached the mayor’s office.

Mayor Mark McBrayer commented directly on The806er’s report and confirmed that he has asked city staff to investigate the concerns raised by a woman who attended the event with her nine year old child.

“Many of the comments here are defending art against censorship. The issue for me as Mayor, and I know for at least some on the City Council, will be whether public tax money should be used to help fund the presentation of art that does not comport with community standards,” McBrayer wrote.

“That is a different issue altogether given that the First Friday Art Trail does receive a grant from the city. Several years ago we worked with Civic Lubbock, which administers the grants, to try to tighten up some of the guidelines that would apply to all parties requesting grants, which includes First Friday Art Trail.”

McBrayer said the City Council will wait for staff to review the complaint before deciding whether a policy violation occurred.

“I have asked our staff to look into the issue this woman has raised and bring the Council a report. Once we have that, we will see if we think there has been a violation of our policy and, if so, what we think is the appropriate action,” McBrayer wrote.

“The job of the City Council is not censorship, but the appropriate use of the taxpayers’ money certainly is our job.”

McBrayer’s statement follows comments from District 5 Councilwoman Jennifer Wilson, who said she was “extremely disappointed” by what the Art Trail has become. Wilson criticized artwork described by the resident as depicting abortion, women eating babies and a sculpture involving a penis.

The First Friday Art Trail receives support through a City of Lubbock Cultural Arts Grant administered by Civic Lubbock. The latest publicly posted award for the event was $28,758 for the 2025 grant cycle, with the money approved to help cover advertising, trolley service and security.

City funding for the Art Trail has caused controversy before. In 2024, the City Council reduced a recommended $25,600 grant to $5,000 following concerns about programming connected to the event. More funding was restored the following year after changes were made to the grant guidelines.

The issue will now move from comments on social media to a formal review by city staff. That report could determine whether council members believe the Art Trail violated grant requirements and whether any action should be taken.

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