The Community Mural Project sessions held Thursday in Cornelia gave a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into such a project. The sessions were hosted by David McShane, a renowned Philadelphia mural artist who has more than 20 years of experience and painted more than 200 murals. According to McShane, there is a lot of planning that goes on behind the scenes for a community mural project to be a success.
A community mural project isn’t about painting a wall. It’s about a theme, idea, or historical event in a community that the citizens can get behind and celebrate, explained McShane.
For the community project to get started, “there has to be a vision,” McShane tells the dozen or so people who attended the lunch session on Thursday. That can come from a group or an individual. The vision has to be shared with the community to get their ideas and engagement. Getting the community involved will draw out those who have artistic talent and ability that can assist in turning that vision into a community theme.
Funding sources have to be determined. Grants are available for this type of project, but getting donations and sponsorships helps the project move forward quickly.
One big factor is location. As Cornelia found out recently, sometimes the owner of the location is not always open to having a mural painted at that location for various reasons. Getting that secured can take some time. Knowing the location gives those planning the mural what size “canvas” they will be working with.
McShane explained to the group knowing the location early will allow the artist to plan how to incorporate the mural into the architecture of the building and the surrounding area. The mural needs to be complementary and not a distraction.
Selecting an artist who does murals can be daunting. McShane explained that many mural artists are sought out by communities, making their time limited. On some occasions, a group of artists may need to be sought out to do the job. Since the government is involved, in many cases, a request for proposal may be advertised to get artists to submit an application for the project with timelines and costs.
Then there is the legal side. McShane explained that this is to protect the city, the artist, and the owner where the mural will be located.
The Community Mural Project sessions were very informative should a community or city leaders decide to do a community mural like so many cities have done.
Art students submit ideas
As part of the Community Mural Project, Habersham County art students submitted their ideas of the mural in Cornelia that were displayed during the lunch session. Also on display were short stories from the community about how the “Tim Loves Tink” story came about. Though know one has ever come forward to tell the real story, the student’s themes tended to gravitate towards an enduring love story that lasts the ages.
Stories and artwork maybe submitted through the end of February and will be displayed at in the lobby in Cornelia City Hall as space allows.
Artwork and stories will be displayed in the lobby at Cornelia City Hall while the community mural project is ongoing.
New location revealed
The “Tim Loves Tink” community mural project recently had a setback when Norfolk Southern didn’t approve the project to take place at their tunnel on Wells Street, where “Tim Loves Tink” has been displayed for decades.
Cornelia city leaders announced during their commission meeting Tuesday evening that the new location will be on a wall behind Steve Campbell’s law office off of Front Street, adjacent to the old Regions Bank building. The new “canvas” is just a block and a half away from the originally planned tunnel.
