'Our passion is Canal Fulton.' New floral mural to greet city, Towpath Trail visitors
CANAL FULTON – A colorful wall of art is in the works as an avenue to welcome Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail users and visitors to the city's historic downtown and business district.
A "Welcome to Canal Fulton" mural is being painted by Louisville artist Iris Menegay on the west wall of Coach House Floral, 146 Market St. W. She expects to be done around Memorial Day, according to Kristina Widuck, who helped to spearhead the floral art idea.
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"It's a way to help revitalize our downtown," said Widuck, who owns and operates Warehouse on the Canal and Cornerstone on the Canal bed and breakfast in the city with her husband, Mike. "Our passion is Canal Fulton. We see the future growth and known importance for art in our area."
The floral mural will be the lone outdoor building mural in downtown Canal Fulton, said Widuck, adding that other, similar art could come to other spots down the road.
"It was important to bring a mural outside," she said.
Work on the 14-by-25 mural started May 13, said Widuck, adding that she and Menegay developed the concept for the mural that includes some adlibs.
"I'm (mainly) going off the design, but also with whatever I feel like," said Menegay, 24, who was part of Umbrella Alley in downtown Louisville.
Menegay had also painted an interior mural at Warehouse on the Canal for Widuck last year.
The floral mural seems to be generating some buzz by towpath users.
"Everyone passing by stops and loves it," Menegay said.
Cost of the effort is expected to run approximately $7,500, according to Widuck, who's setup a GoFundMe page to help cover the funding. So far, the page has generated around $1,200 with a goal of $4,500.
The Canal Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce contributed $3,000 toward the effort.
"We're thankful we're not getting any pushback," Widuck said.
Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: 'Welcome to Canal Fulton' wall mural in works for Coach House Floral
