The Craig County Tourism Commission has announced that it is extending an open invitation to the citizens of Craig County to celebrate the completion of the county mural, the first art installation in Craig County. The celebration will be Saturday, Aug. 3 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Farmers Market. Farmers Market vendors will be open for shopping from 9 a.m. to noon, offering an assortment of eggs, meat, produce and handcrafts.
All painter volunteers, including students from Craig County Middle and High School as well as Barn Quilt painter Martha Dillard, have been offered a special invitation to be part of a giant interactive photo shoot in front of the mural at 10 a.m. They came at designated times in May to work on the background and outline painting.
Also at the celebration, the commission will announce the selected names of the mural “critters” from entries submitted on July 4. Free stickers, tattoos, magnets and tumblers featuring individual aspects of the mural will also be available.
For some time, the blank cinderblock wall in New Castle drew much discussion on social media and among residents. The Farmers Market was an improvement to the once vacant lot on the corner of Middle and Main Streets, but questions about the wall remained. Meanwhile, the commission received a $30,000 allotment of ARPA funds appropriated by Virginia Tourism Corporation. This program designated funds to every county in the state to be used specifically to promote and encourage tourism. The program ended June 30, meaning that anything not spent by that date would be lost.
The county administrative secretary, Amy Bryson, filed the required paperwork to approve the Mural Project. Bids were solicited and local muralist and artist, Jon Murrill was awarded the contract. The mural chairperson, Tina Crawford, said “Jon was a great choice. His art can be found throughout the Roanoke Valley as a testament to his imagination and ability.” Murrill has a connection with Craig County, as he was the art teacher at Craig County High School for four years.
With input from commission members, Murrill’s design captured the natural beauty of Craig County while highlighting the barn quilts and outdoor recreation. In April, primer and repair work was done by local contractor Robert Welch, a lift was rented and the race was on. Murrill supervised almost 30 volunteers and then added final touches himself, while the community watched in amazement as work progressed through the early summer. Several past issues of The New Castle Record carried pictures of the progress. All work was completed, and expenses paid by the deadline.
The Craig County Tourism Commission said that it wishes to thank Neal Cummings, building owner, who graciously allowed the painting of the mural. Early in the process, he stated, “The addition of a mural along with the new farmers market highlights the commitment local leadership has in promoting the rich history and culture of the area. This will add to the welcoming spirit which New Castle and Craig County are known for.”
“The mural has brightened downtown New Castle, providing a vibrant backdrop for Main Street businesses and making a great place for selfies which can be treasured and shared,” the commission said. Already, a BMW car club has requested permission to pose at the mural. The center design features the new tagline now being used to promote travel to Craig County: “Your Next Adventure Awaits.”
-Submitted by Craig County Tourism Commission
