MANSFIELD — Local artist Mark Calloway is lending his talent to help brighten a portion of the Richland B&O Trail.
His artwork titled “6:07 A.M.” will be painted on the West Fourth Street bridge in the north end of Mansfield.
This project is headed up by Mankind Murals Incorporated (Mansfield Murals Inc.) in partnership with Friends of North Lake Park.
Anna Marie Durtschi, founder of Friends of North Lake Park, expressed interest in adding a mural along the bike trail. She was introduced to Luke Beekman of Mansfield Murals, who was able to help get the ball rolling.
At Harmony House last year, Beekman organized the painting of two murals, one of which was created by one of his students at Dojo Comics, Isaac Calloway (Mark Calloway’s son).
“So now we’ll have two murals created by a member of the Calloway family,” Beekman said.
The West Fourth Street project is being funded by a $10,000 grant from the Richland County Foundation. Beekman said the plan is for painting to begin by the end of April/early May.
“I’ve always envisioned something (along the bike trail),” he said. “I’m sure that once it’s there, there are going to be a lot of people who would feel more inclined to come down this way to Mansfield.”
The paint that will be used for the mural will consist of a coating that prevents graffiti from bonding to surfaces.
“Because we’re covering up graffiti artwork (for this project) doesn’t mean that we don’t embrace graffiti as a form of art,” Beekman said.
To accommodate and possibly inspire those who may be interested in graffiti art, Beekman said, “We’re hoping to open up free art walls underneath the Trimble Road and the Park Avenue bridges.”
“Those free art walls are really for any artist to participate,” he said. “It’ll be something that kind of evolves and changes over time.”
Calloway will stencil the image, which will be filled in by volunteers.
“It will be like ‘paint-by-numbers,'” Beekman said. “That makes it easier for everyone to take part.”
Those interested in participating should contact Durtschi at annadurtschi@gmail.com or visit mansfieldmurals.org.
Beekman said there will be a public forum on April 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mansfield library to give people the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming project and Mankind Murals’ vision for the future.
In honor of the Richland Carrousel Park’s 25th anniversary, Mankind Murals has plans to restore the carrousel mural on Sixth and Main streets. The organization is seeking sponsorship to help carry out this project. To donate, click here.
