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Read More about this safari issue.Last year, 2022, was a big year for muralists in Arkansas. As towns across the state continue revitalizing and renovating historic properties, public art becomes an important piece of the puzzle. As a result, several cities in all four corners of the state hired muralists, local artists, and painters to set apart public walls as canvases to tell their stories.
One artist that stands out in the Arkansas mural tapestry is Jason White with White’s Artworks. This central Arkansas-based muralist expanded his brush strokes across the state, adding art to towns like Arkadelphia, Fordyce, Batesville, Jacksonville, McGhee and Warren. White was also instrumental in establishing the Searcy Art Alley. In addition, he brings what he learned about marketing small towns to his artwork and interactions with Main Street Directors, city leaders and chamber boards.
Murals are an excellent way for communities to gather momentum for revitalization projects, including historic spaces and community cleanup. White mentions, “a mural costs much less than improvements like new lights, pocket parks or sidewalks. They can catalyze to make those other projects happen. When community members see the momentum a new mural brings, they understand the seriousness of making changes in their town.”
Sevier County, in Southwest Arkansas, has experienced just that. Artist Darlene Taylor added beauty to the dingy corners of De Queen. Restaurant parking lots, downtown alleys, historic homes, and the airport experienced a facelift, making locals and visitors stop and take pictures.
That’s the power of beautiful public art; it can turn abandoned towns into destination spots. When was the last time you stopped for a selfie at a beautiful set of butterfly wings? Or, stepped back to pause and learn the history of a town by the mural on the wall of the train depot?
Many towns across the state used the 2020 pandemic as a time to beautify their community. Even though art is often a luxury, many towns saw it necessary to bring unity at a secluded time. White mentioned that his isolated work setting allows him to stand in a parking lot and paint while individuals stop by with a soft drink, sit in their lawn chairs, and tell stories about their hometown while they watch him work. “You get a sense of a town when you stand in a public spot and experience the entirety of a day. I see sunsets over rice fields and watch a community wake up from the same parking lot.”
While murals don’t always make a town a destination, they sure give a great reason to stop or go out of your way to visit.
Social media stories, reels, and posts become great places to feature these small towns with beautiful backgrounds. Step into areas for photos and taggable moments and tell the stories of these great hometowns. Leave a message in the comments and let us know if your hometown has a great mural we need to visit!
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