Plans unveiled for new mural in downtown Sand Springs
/Artist rendering of a mural on the side of the Yesterday To Now Antique & Art Mall. (Courtesy photo).
Artist renderings have been released for the second of two murals commissioned by the City of Sand Springs. Josh Butts Creative Services is expected to complete the downtown mural by the end of Spring 2018.
The Sand Springs City Council authorized $49,500 in March for the painting of two murals. The money was taken from the Economic Development Capital Improvement Fund, which is drawn from a hotel tax, with the goal of beautifying Sand Springs to attract shoppers and investors.
In September Butts began work on a mural on the side of the old Monarch Cement Co. silo on the grounds of the Riverview RV Park. That piece is currently on hold while the City develops a plan to work around power-lines that obstruct part of the silo.
The new downtown mural will be located at 224 North Main Street on the side of the Yesterday to Now Antique & Art Mall owned by Susan Whitley. It will feature a historic trolley like the ones that used to run through Sand Springs.
According to City Manager Elizabeth Gray, the City does not have any plans to fund future murals. Some local businesses and organizations hope to begin their own public art projects in the future. However, they will have to get city approval for any art that could be considered advertising.
Sand Springs currently only has three murals, including the unfinished silo project. An Herbal Affair-themed painting was completed in 2013 by Laura Thompson at 216 North Lincoln Avenue. The Charles Page High School Senior Class of 2006 painted a mural on the alley-side of the Page Center at 200 North Main Street.
