The latest “Town of Colors†murals are expected to be painted later this month in Charles City.
Mayor Dean Andrews is a member of Charles City Arts Council. He says a mural by Molly Keen is coming to the Clark Street side of the Kloberdanz Insurance Office downtown.Â
A seasonal-themed mural by Andrea Ehrhardt will be painted on the northside of The Furniture Barn along South Grand Avenue.
Andrews says they are still looking for a business to be painted with the “Welcome to Charles City Iowa†postcard mural.
The postcard mural was originally proposed to be painted on the south side of the Chamber of Commerce, but that was shelved over concerns over the long term effect of the paint on the wall’s material.
In March, mural proposed for the southside of the Floyd County Law Enforcement Center was pulled after most public feedback was against painting on the brand new building.
More information on the postcard mural can be found below from Emily Kiewel, Director of the Charles City Arts Center:
We are still looking for a spot for the “Postcard†mural. This artist is really talented and we love the design. This artist is Ken Dushane III (https://www.phybrart.com/). Most likely we won’t get this mural painted this year. Kenneth was pretty booked up for the fall, but if we found the right location and it stays warm through October there is a chance. Yes, we will cover 100% of the cost of this mural, in 2023 only. If we can’t manage it this year we are planning to have it painted during the ’24 season. Just need the wall!
Benefits of Public Art to building owner:
- It’s public! Everyone has access to public art. It’s directly in the public sphere and not confined to galleries or museums.
- It enriches our physical environments, bringing streetscapes, plazas, town buildings and schools to life.
- It’s a great tool for civic engagement, building social capital and encouraging civil discourse.
- It provides professional opportunities for artists and cultivates an environment in which the creative class thrives.
- It boosts local economies. Businesses supply materials and labor; restaurants, hotels and transportation companies benefit from a site that attracts visitors.
- It’s an investment in place making—measured by livability and quality of life—that also engenders community pride.
- It connects citizens to their neighbors and their shared history through documentation and celebration, and makes cultural heritage a tangible community asset.
- It enlivens places where people work, which can improve employee morale, productivity and respect.
- It creates supportive learning environments. It opens eyes—and minds! It attracts students to environments conducive to both learning and fun.
- It raises public awareness about important community issues, such as environmental stewardship and respect for diversity
