This is the before-and-after photos from June 2019. Scroll down to see the mural that is planned to be painted in July.
UPDATE JULY 18, 2019
Thanks so much to all of you who are volunteering to help paint the mural on the highway wall. There has been a scheduling issue and we will only be painting the rail above the mural on Saturday July 20th at 8am.
I will update as soon as we have a firm date to paint the mural.
ORIGINAL JULY 9, 2019
The City of Benton seeks volunteers to help paint a welcome mural on a retaining wall by the north frontage road by Econolodge, at Exit 117/Highway 5/Carpenter Road bridge.
When I posted to Facebook a few weeks ago that eight volunteers painted over the dirty, faded mess that was known as the “Paintball Wall,” many of you said you would have pitched in to help if you had only known about it. Well now is your chance, and it’s an even more fun project. Scroll down for more info and to see the bold concept art for the mural we’ll be painting. This is history in the making, and with the opportunity for you to participate.
Benton Mayor Tom Farmer has already assembled a few people to help, but to get this done in one day, the project needs a lot more volunteers. Painters will meet at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 20th. Please email me to let me (Shelli) know you’re coming to help: [email protected]. See the map and mural art below.
To see this location on Google Maps, visit this link: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.5733908,-92.5909682,324m/data=!3m1!1e3
When you get there, you can park on the grass at the property. Since it can get muddy, you should bring boots or work shoes. You don’t need to be creative, just careful to keep to the design. The art will be stenciled on the wall and ready for the different colors to be painted in their sections. There are also plans to paint the rail above the wall.
Here’s the concept for the art, pictured below. It’s got the Old River Bridge, the Royal Theatre, the Saline County Courthouse and the Palace all represented and it’s actually going to say “Welcome to Benton.”
This is something a high school student can put on their college resume. Another bonus is that someone who needs community service hours could get the Mayor’s signature for time worked. You could also help out just to know you took part, and be proud every time you drive by.