Maysville wants visitors to picture themselves downtown and is providing the backdrop to do just that.
A series of outside art projects that feature murals where anyone can insert themselves into the picture are being added to the downtown. A public/private partnership between Main Street and building owners, the art pieces “have been on Main Street’s radar for a couple of years now,” Main Street Director Caroline Reece said.
Much like the angel wings that are popular photo spots in other downtowns, Reece hopes the murals will call attention to downtown Maysville.
“Some things look a little more interesting with a lick of paint,” Reece said.
The first project, on the Courika building on Third Street, features a bouquet of flowers, a bee buzzing nearby and welcomes guests to Maysville. The mural now in progress on McDonald Parkway features a different kind of bouquet — one made of balloons. Once completed, the mural will allow visitors to appear as though they are grasping the balloons for an “Instagramable moment,” as they put themselves in the picture, Reece said.
Both murals are the work of artist Stephanie Martinez who teaches art at Mason County High School. Reece calls Martinez and her talent “a gift to us all. She’s such a great player. She’s not only talented but she really cares about her community.”
Normally, Martinez would be extremely busy with a number of student-related projects. But the COVID-19 pandemic meant she had some free time to devote to the project, Reece said. So the pair took a walk to scout out some possible locations for murals and to come up with some designs, she said.
The first mural on Third Street has already gained some popularity and the McDonald Parkway piece is likely to follow suit.
The current balloon painting isn’t complete and there are additions that will may “blow visitors away,” once it is done, as balloons escape their moorings to dot the downtown landscape.
The private part of the partnership depends on building owners not only approving the use of their building as a canvas but also a donation to the project, Reece said.
While the first two art pieces are real eye-catchers, Reece said Martinez still “has a few tricks up her sleeve” for future murals.
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly put a damper on spirits this spring but Reece sees the murals as a little bit of a silver lining to the pandemic. The colorful artwork “brings a little brightness to a gloomy situation,” she said.
