On Wednesday, a photograph graced our front page of the new mural at the Morgantown Mall, near the food court entrance: Gold and blue like the blood of die-hard Mountaineers and filled with angles and lines that echo our mountains.
That work of art was part of a specific project. The Canvas Project gives local artists the opportunity to showcase their work on buildings owned by Washington Prime Group around the country. But we’ve noticed an overall increase in the number of murals and public art installations around our region, and we’re very pleased.
Back in September, Morgantown City Council made its first steps toward making Morgantown a certified art community. We love that our city is actively and purposefully embracing art and artists. And we love that the work of our local artists is popping up in more and more public spaces throughout north-central West Virginia.
In the past year or so, murals have gone up in Fairmont, Morgantown and Mon County. In Fairmont’s Palatine Park, a mural celebrating historic figures was painted under the bridge. Each grayscale figure, painted with exquisite detail, pops against a saturated orange and black background. Among them are Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Johnnie Johnson and purported founder of Memorial Day Julia Pierpont.
About a year ago, Milan Puskar Health Right in downtown Morgantown unveiled a mural depicting three area leaders. Charlene Marshall, in bright bold colors that match her legacy, seems to look at passersby encouragingly; Yasmeen Mustafa’s painted eyes hold compassion and understanding and the word “interfaith,” written beside her, recalls her founding work with the Greater Morgantown Interfaith Association; and John Garlow’s portraiture looks proud — awestruck even — as it gazes towards downtown and his Friendship House.
And just this past summer, Ralph’s Beer Distributor on W.Va. 7 got a building-long mural painted by WVU graduates. A neon yellow river of beer flows from a keg nestled in a valley through rolling green hills and under the words “The River of Life Flows Through the Family Tree” before washing over the roots of a large, leaf-less tree hung with bright bottles.
We could go on and on. The cardinal in flight painted on the side of Mountain People’s Co-op a year ago. The rainbow on 123 Pleasant Street. The re-painted bathroom doors and dugouts at Granville Park, courtesy of local girl scouts. The refurbished mosaic at Dorsey’s Knob.
Our point: Every work of art that goes up in our area brings new beauty. It makes these places in our community feel unique and showcases the talent of brilliant local artists.
In a time when we’re feeling a little lost, a little downtrodden, it’s nice to look to the good things, the beautiful things. As outside becomes the safest venue for gatherings and commerce, works of art create a special backdrop — welcome us into unfamiliar places and situations. Art brings hope and joy and reflection. It can move us and make us smile. It creates a common thread between people, even complete strangers. And those good feelings? That connection to people? Those are something we all need a little more of right now.
