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Clooney mural planned for floodwall
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By DANETTA BARKER Staff Writer
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The Maysville Mason County Floodwall Mural Committee is playing for all the marbles this year with a fund-raising campaign to raise enough to finish the project. If the funds are not raised, the project is over and there will be no more murals.
Committee Chair Marla Baxter said the decision was made by the committee to raise $300,000 to paint the remaining 25 to 30 panels in three murals. If the group does not raise the money, efforts will turn to maintenance projects.
"We are going to work for the next year just to raise the money to finish the project," Baxter said. "We plan to be at events in the area to raise money."
In the past, the committee has depended on fund-raising mail campaigns, which will continue. However it was decided that this year the group would take the project to the public with an "It's a Wrap Party" April 25 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at French Quarter Hotel. The event is free and open to the public, which Baxter encourages to attend.
The final phase of the floodwall mural project will be outlined during a presentation, Baxter said.
"We want to do a mural to pay tribute to Rosemary Clooney," Baxter said. "We will showcase her career and origins in Maysville and include the Russell Theater."
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| Illustration submitted
The Maysville Mason County Floodwall Mural Committee plans a mural to honor girl singer Rosemary Clooney. The design above is a concept of what the mural could look like. Nick and Nina Clooney are helping with the project.
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Another mural could depict the Ohio River Valley through the centuries, according to Baxter. She said with the large area from behind the Medical Building to the Tobacco Mural, there would be enough room to have a pictorial history of the valley.
Homage would be paid to Simon Kenton in another mural and could include his arrival at Limestone Creek.
The project began in 1998 with the first murals dedicated to the Indians and early settlers of the areas and the once plentiful buffalo. The last mural painted depicts the Germantown Fair, which has been around for more than 150 years.
Robert Dafford has painted many of the murals, but he did not paint the last two. He was in Maysville three years ago to paint the Market Street Mural. After talking with the committee, Dafford said he wants to paint the mural of Rosemary Clooney himself.
"He can be here in 2007, which is when we will wrap up the fund drive," Baxter said. "He and his workers live in Lafayette and New Orleans. They were impacted by the hurricane and cannot get up here before then."
The cost of a mural depends on size, but is calculated at $25 a square foot. Prepping the concrete walls for a mural costs the same.
"The paint he uses costs $100 per gallon," Baxter said. "The committee buys the paint, provides lodging and pays a per diem to painters while they are in town, which could be 60 to 90 days."
The Rosemary Clooney mural is estimated at $36,000. Baxter said if the committee raises only that much money, it would commission that mural. But no more murals would be painted.
"It's our top priority," Baxter said. "I have met with Nick and Nina Clooney to discuss what would be appropriate for the mural. They approved the concept and offered their support."
Baxter hopes the committee will see the support of the community at the wine and cheese reception to discuss the final stage of the project. Anyone wishing to attend can RSVP Baxter at 606-564-9419, ask for Marla or leave a voice mail.
Contact Danetta Barker at Danetta.Barker@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 272. |
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