MANSFIELD — Downtown Mansfield started to look a little more colorful Monday night.
Artists of all ages met along Main Street, near Fifth Street, on Memorial Day to collaborate on Mansfield’s newest mural, “Floral Bloom Artwork.”
“The big focus this year is downtown revitalization,” said Luke Beekman, director of Mankind Murals.
But this project got started through collaboration with Mansfield in Bloom, a community organization that will be bringing America In Bloom judges to the area on July 10 and 11.
“It’s a beauty pageant of sorts for flowers,” Beekman said.
He and a few other artists previously painted the backdrop for the mural. They created a green hilly scene with a colorful skyline. On Monday, everyone was asked to add a flower.
About 15 people gathered at Diamond Street Studios, 90 Diamond Street, at 5 p.m. Some drew their flower designs, and others found ideas online. Everyone could add something different.
“That way we have all these artists’ personalities coming together,” said Kathy Goodwin from Element of Art and the Art Sector of RCDG.
For example, Jennifer Donley, who teaches at Element of Art, is known for a series of sunflowers. She pulled out her own tube of paint when she arrived at the Main Street wall.
“I’m sort of known for sunflowers,” Donley said. “This way I can leave one of my sunflowers in downtown Mansfield forever.”
Gwen Yockey says her house and her grandparents’ house are both filled with her art. Six or seven canvases are displayed on a mantel at one location.
She found an idea online, but didn’t follow it very closely.
“I usually just wing it,” she said.
More flowers will be added to the mural during the ArtiStreet Summer Art Carnival, which kicks off June 3. Artists and attendees will be invited to participate.
Mankind Murals is a volunteer-based organization. It relies on grants and sponsorships for local businesses to fund its projects.
Later this year, the group plans to revitalize the train mural in downtown Mansfield.
