July 15, 2025
I have always been a supporter of local artists. Years ago, I started the Holiday Window Paintings because our current mayor then, had murals and sculptures commissioned by artists that were not local. We have a tremendous amount of local artists that are so talented, it was a shame not for our Community to see them.
When I saw that the City and the Beta Tau chapter of Psi Iota Xi were wanting local artists to submit an idea for a mural at Prairie Creek Park, I was excited. I even tried to get a group of artists to meet and possibly collaborate on a mural fitting for the area. The draw back? It was going to be on the wall between the splash pad and the park area. Meaning, the wall that goes right into the creek. Artists agreed that this would basically be impossible to do, considering the steep structure and the increasing cracking of the wall. The mural would never last, even with all the precautions and clear coating applied.
I’m not saying how many submitted their ideas, but I believe the last report was 4? None of them local artists. Approximately 6 months ago, I, along with a few others were talking with 2 members of the sorority. They informed us that the mural location had been moved and was going to be to the side of the Farmer’s Bank Performance Stage. Surprised, we asked if the location change will be announced so other artists could submit their ideas. They seemed to not understand the question. Instead, they just said, they didn’t see the reason to do that.
My opinion is this: knowing the mural location was going to be changed to a location where it would’ve been so much easier to apply their ideas, there would’ve been many more artists submitting their ideas. This was not only sneaky, but underhanded. The artist, who is not local, had already been decided from a few, under the pretense of it being at the original location. Was he made aware of the change before he was selected, or after? Why wasn’t it announced that the location had been moved? It’s about fairness to all of our local artists. Something that seems to keep being shoved aside. The lack of transparency concerns and saddens me.
Please note. I’m excited that there will be a mural and looking forward to seeing it. It’s just the way it was handled that just doesn’t sit well.