Mural in the making
A new mural on the side of Natili North Pizza Shoppe is the result of a collaboration between former addicts, the Butler Art Center and the public.
Stephen Haley, gallery director at the art center, said the idea to paint a cheerful 17-by-18-foot flower mural on the exterior wall came from Tracy Hack, Butler Community College's coordinator of community leadership initiatives and coordinator of the Hope is Dope program at the college.
Hope is Dope helps addicts find productive ways to supplant the rush of endorphins that previously came from drugs. The group meets at the art center.
Haley said Hack saw the creative and fun painting activities the art center planned for the Hope is Dope meetings and had the idea for the mural.
She and Haley approached Natili owner Vince Tavolario and asked if a mural could be painted on his building, which is on the corner of North Main and West North streets.
“We got permission on Friday and we started on Saturday, and it has been an unbelievable amount of fun,” Haley said.
He said 24 volunteers have helped paint the mural since then. Some are Hope is Dope participants, some are artists from the art center, and others are residents who like to paint.
“It has turned into a really, really fun, incredible project,” Haley said.
Before the project began, Haley and Hack decided to hold a mural-painting class at the art center to give people a feel for painting on a large canvas.Only one person showed up.“We were a little bit worried,” Haley said, “but as we got closer and started showing people our plan, everyone came out.”People who pass it on the street have enjoyed the mural-in-the-making, Haley said.“We have had people who look like they're from all walks of life walk or drive by, and every single person will stop and smile and say, 'Oh I love it,' ” Haley said.Haley said after seeing the mural, Dean Selfridge of Butler Downtown saw interest in having more art and poetry on display in the downtown area.Haley and Selfridge soon will hold a poetry contest in which residents submit inspirational poetry to the art center, and the winning poems will be painted on various exterior surfaces downtown along with smaller murals.“It's in its infancy,” Haley said, “but its potential is limitless.”He invites all Butler residents to come to Natili North Pizza Shoppe and have a hand in creating the painting.“I figured it would be fun, but I didn't think it would be this fun or inspirational,” Haley said.He hopes the mural will be completed by mid-November, weather permitting.
