Heart of Wisconsin
Business & Economic Alliance and
Community Foundation of
South Wood County
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A Joint Initiative Between Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County |
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Breaking News July 25, 2006 - Newest city mural will depict mill, river By: Daily Tribune Staff The pictorial history of Wisconsin Rapids will continue with the unveiling of another mural at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Legion Park, the site of the former east-side swimming pool. The mural is sponsored by Stora Enso North America. The event, open to the public, will include a short program, reception and refreshments. "It's been overwhelmingly positive," said Melissa Loken of the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance, in regard to public response to the murals. The mural is part of a "Murals Walk," established by the Public Art Group of the Downtown Revitalization Cluster. The group is made up of local residents who volunteer their time to bring people and art together by highlighting the city's history through the fabric of the arts. All murals are being painted by Susan Sampson of Black River Falls. Unlike the other murals, the latest will be freestanding and not affixed to or inside a building. "If you look at that park, it's a huge open space," said Carol Davis, director of community and executive support at the Community Foundation of South Wood County. The three-panel mural is about 20 feet wide and 10 feet tall. "When you're in the park, the dam is right in front of you," Davis said. "You can see the gates, and you can also see the mill behind the dam. "We figured it would be a wonderful location and add visual interest to the park." The mural depicts the construction of Consolidated Water Power Co.'s dam and paper mill in the early 1900s. It also illustrates the river's recreational value as an early site of the municipal swimming pool and will focus on the Wisconsin River's effect on the company and community throughout the years. The mural includes art of the early mill, allowing comparison with today's modern facility. The historic Arpin mansion, still at 840 First St. N., also appears in one mural scene, taken from a 1903 photograph. "The projected total of murals the committee is looking at is eight," Loken said, adding there are two more murals in the works, but "nothing we can announce publicly at this point." The Public Art Group of the Downtown Revitalization Cluster wants to expand the Murals Walk to include additional aspects of the city's history. A mural featuring the early days of logging on the Wisconsin River will be unveiled later this year. The group's efforts are part of the Community Progress Initiative, a three-year effort to create vibrant communities with prosperous local economies. The first mural, sponsored by Paul Gross Jewelers, was unveiled during the Great Tent Event last August. Additional murals are at McMillan Memorial Library, Corenso, on the side of Book World and on the Mead Witter building. Individuals, groups or businesses interested in sponsoring a mural can call Loken at 423-1830 or Olson at 423-3863. A 4-foot by 8-foot panel starts at about $1,300, said Marion Ruelle, founder and member of the Public Art Group. A four-panel mural is about $4,000. |
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