By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The mural frenzy continues in Great Bend and the surrounding area. As the sunflower mural comes to a finish along the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce office building, another mural is getting ready to start at the intersection of 10th Street and Washington Avenue.
Barton Arts Movement (BAM) has
spearheaded the task of bringing more art to the county and BAM committee
member Rachel Mawhirter said in the next few weeks a 420 square-foot mural at
2602 10th will be complete.
"It was so exciting to see everybody get so excited about such a visible spot," said Mawhirter. "Because there are about 17,000 cars that drive east and west on 10th Street every day, we've had overwhelming support from businesses and the public. Everything is going to be prepped and ready."
Whitney Hayden, from Houston, Texas, has been contracted to complete the
30' x 14' “Welcome to Great Bend” mural. Hayden will arrive to town
this week and will use six or seven days to complete the mural.
"She uses lots of vibrant colors that sort of melt in and out of each other," said Mawhirter. "For this one, that color melt technique is forming the backdrop for some really unique doodle art that will feature a 'welcome to Great Bend' message. This will greet tourists and create pride for those of us that live here."
Hayden will be joined by a couple of helpers to make sure the mural is cured and sealed before she leaves. A meet-and-greet is scheduled for Aug. 10 at 10 a.m.
Along with private donations, BAM received help from the City of Great Bend,
the Great Bend Foundation and the Barton Arts Council to fund the $14,500
mural.
Interested donors can go to www.bartonartsmovement.com and visit the donate page to learn how they can contribute to BAM projects.