The following post originally appeared as an article in the November 2020 issue of Arkansas Municipal League’s publication City and Town. Click here to learn more.
Public murals are not only exciting and colorful pieces of art, but also are a community development tool.
Murals can serve as marketing tools for communities. They allow towns to display what makes them unique and illustrate their story. Drab walls turned into vibrant pieces stop people in their tracks, encourage them to take and share selfies, and create a lasting memory associated with the town. Murals also serve as a catalyst for creative placemaking, a process in community development in which community members utilize arts and culture to implement change and improve quality of life. Murals unite neighbors, empower local artists and instill excitement and pride among citizens.
Murals are popping up in towns across Arkansas, and not just in major metropolitan areas. The Ft. Smith nonprofit 64.6 Downtown hosts an annual event called The Unexpected which highlights the installation of murals from world renowned artists. Mural artist and Arkansan Jason White painted unity murals in Newport and Cabot and even assisted in the development of an “Art Alley” in his hometown of Searcy.
With the creation of a mural class offered at Lyon College that mobilizes college artists, murals are creating a buzz in Batesville. The city has seen an increase in tourism as a result of the murals.
“People come to Batesville to see the murals,” said Mayor Rick Elumbaugh. “This a huge asset for our upcoming bicentennial celebration.”
The idea of painting a large public mural can be overwhelming. Misti Staley, Mural Workshop Leader for the Thrive Center in Helena, offers the following pieces of advice:
- Find and prepare your canvas.
One of the first steps when planning to paint a mural is to determine a location. Ideally, it is a high-visibility spot so everyone in town and visitors can see it. Also consider the composition of your “canvas.” The wall’s surface will determine time, effort and the materials for the project. For example, rustic-style walls made of exposed brick have deep grout lines, requiring more time and paint to cover.After picking a location, you will need to prep and prime the wall for painting. The wall needs to be as clean as possible to extend the life of the mural. Scrape off old paint, consider powerwashing, then coat the wall in primer. This work can be done with your team of artists or volunteers! - Assemble your artists (or volunteers).
Michelangelo did not complete the Sistine Chapel ceiling on his own! However, your mural team does not have to include Italy’s most skilled renaissance painters. Like any community project, utilize your assets and partnerships. Public schools and colleges are full of aspiring artists. The Thrive Center, for example, offers youth programming that encourages students in Phillips County to design and paint their own murals.Staley says children as young as eight can contribute directly to the mural in some way. Younger painters can work on base coats and older painters can focus on fine lines and details. Break the work into segments by assigning shifts afterschool for volunteers. - Determine your medium.
Creating a masterpiece requires the correct set of materials and tools. The mural supply list includes paint brushes, exterior house paint, drop cloths and smocks, among other things. Staley specifically recommends 1.5 – 2” angled paint brushes to shape clean edges and 2-in-1 paint and primer for thick coats of paint. These essential materials can be inexpensive and found at a local home improvement store. However, take care of your tools to extend their use. At the end of each day, wash your brushes and correctly store your cans of paint.
Murals are more than art, they are community assets that help move our communities forward. But like any major endeavor, work with a team to take it step by step. Creative community projects unite residents and celebrate the arts. How will you color your community?
If you want to learn more about how to develop a mural in your community, contact Misti Staley at mististaley@gmail.com. For more information about the Thrive Center, visit thrivecenter.org.
By Emily Cooper Yates