- <h2>Mural adds vibrant view in Louisville</h2>
By Joseph McCain
The Winston County Journal
When drivers enter Louisville and stop at the red lights on Church and Main Street, a vision of Winston County life should capture each person's
attention with the recently completed mural on the side of Becky's Antiques building.
"It has brought a new life and new meaning to the downtown area," said Linda Skelton of the Winston County Chamber of Commerce/Main Street Association. The idea for the mural was borne from the Winston County Chamber of Commerce/Main Street design committee and a push from community leaders to enrich downtown.
The design and artisans behind the mural- Rebecca Ashley, Amanda Taylor and Susan Ard- did not settle for painting on a scene of life in Louisville. They created a design that pulls in diverse parts of the community.
"It has been a real morale booster," said Skelton "This positive creation carries over into all aspects of our community."
Skelton noted that the shoppers on Ladies Nite Out appeared to happier and more into the season as they shopped downtown and checked out the mural.
Rebecca Ashley involved the idea of steel into the mural creating a steel bench, lamp pole, pine trees to add to the 3D effect of the art as well as
to illustrate the idea of the steel industry in Winston County. The pine trees illustrate the wood related industries of the community. The metal
portions of the mural also allow the artists to add to the creation by placing seasonal art pieces onto the metal.
"So many people want to see it (the mural) evolve," said Ashley.
The seasonal adaptation idea was first inspired by Louisville Mayor Will Hill who wanted a way to make the mural fresh as often as possible.
With that possibility, the artists ran with the idea and created Christmas ornaments for the holiday season and have many future creations denoting the
passing of time in mind for the mural.
"Anything positive for the community is great especially in these economic times," said Mayor Hill. Hill along with many others in the community have reacted positively to the mural.
"The reactions have been 99 percent positive," said Amanda Taylor. "I'm really proud of it."
"It has been so encouraging to me since so many people have said 'thank you'," added Taylor. "It makes you want to do something else."
The positive reactions and the creative mural has sparked other ideas and persons in the community as well.
"It has fired us up and I think fired up the community," added Ashley.
The design committee is examining future projects.
"We are open to suggestions on future projects," said Ashley. "We may not be able to afford to implement but we will try."
The committee hopes to create a color scheme for downtown, complete the toppers in the downtown area, and create an attention-getter that helps
bring drivers and shoppers from the bypass into downtown.
"I'm proud of what we have accomplished," said Ashley. "To see a problem and get involved and be part of the solution really serves the community."
"I take this project and the ideas for improving Winston County seriously," added Taylor. "It is awesome to be part of our community's history."
The seriousness with which the artists took the project can be verified with the amount of time each invested and the support each sought for the
project.
"We have had so much support," said Taylor. The three artists spent about 55 hours each on the project. Taylor explained even when not seen outside painting the three were working on project such as washing brushes, planning each piece, creating the seasonal pieces and much more. While time consuming, each of the committee felt reward from the project.
"I plan on spending my life, raising my children and hopefully my grandchildren in our community; so anything positive I do is an investment in a brighter future for our community," said Taylor.
And noted she is excited about the possibility of future projects for the group after completing the mural.
Ashley encouraged volunteerism among Winston Countians since it will reward the community and the person.
Taylor added that some can afford monetary donations and other can donate their time or talents.
Ashley and Taylor noted their families also played such an important role of support and helping with the project as well. The support came in the form
of lots of volunteer time and donations.
"Susan (Ard) has been a real workhorse with the project as well," said Taylor.
While the Stew Stomp committee of the Winston County Chamber of Commerce provided $500 of seed money to the project, Skelton noted that without the
generous donations of the community, businesses and volunteers the project could not have been completed. The mural and the new d?cor for the old meter
poles were designed to go in conjunction with one another.
The Jewel Shoppe also plans to create and release in the spring special Winston County Charms in a series. A portion of the proceeds will go to the
design committee's future projects.
Skelton thanked all those involved with special mentions for Andre McDaniel, Haley Ward, Billy Allen, Karen and Boyd Allen, city engineer Kenny Morris,
Mike Cournoyer, Temtco, Dale Cagle, James Ashley, Robert Taylor, The Taylor Group, Becky and Phil Lowery, the Stew Stomp Committee, Mary Snow, Bennett's Do It Center, and many more.
Former parking meters change into city art
By Joseph McCain
The Winston County Journal
Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Association "top off" old parking meters with new artist creation.
"We realized the old parking meter poles were a detriment to the visual landscape," said Linda Skelton of the Winston County Chamber of Commerce.
Gerald Mills, Winston County Economic Development Director, mentioned turning them into some type of creative display.
Mike Cournoyer, president of the Chamber of Commerce Board, along with members of the design committee ran with the idea.
The Chamber and Main Street Association then enlisted the talents of new Winston County businessman Kevin Whitehead of Ole South Metal Art to create
the "toppers" for the former parking meter poles.
"We expect these (the toppers) to become even more noticed with so many persons shopping downtown during the holidays,? said Skelton.
The first design Whitehead created are based upon the downtown monument and the first three were placed on meters in front of the Strand Theatre across
from the new downtown mural.
One future design will focus on the idea of a Stew Pot since the Stew Stomp Committee provided the seed money for the pole toppers and the mural in
downtown Louisville. The Stew Stomp is held each November and has raised money to reinvest in the community through ticket and shirt sales.
Skelton noted that businesses and persons may also make a $68 donation in honor or memory of someone to have one of the toppers placed on the
remaining 11 posts in the community. A small plaque denoting the donation in memory or in honor of will also be placed on the pole. The Winston County
Journal has donated to have three of the posts decorated on Court Street.
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The Reserve Restaurant
The Mississippi Municipal League has selected Laurel for its “Most Livable Community” Award three times in the past decade. |
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