New Murals Installed Downtown

As we try to kick start 2022, we are excited to announce the installation of two new interactive murals downtown.
In the spring of 2020 Emporia Main Street worked with Coffelt Sign Company and the Kansas Creative Arts industries Commission to produce a series of temporary interactive murals in the downtown area. Public art benefits a community by adding enormous value to its cultural, aesthetic, and economic vitality. It is now a well-accepted principle of urban design that public art contributes to a community’s identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors.

Thanks to a generous gift from Brock & Mary Kretsinger and a grant from the Kansas Creative Arts Commission, Emporia Main Street was able to continue the placement of interactive murals within the community. Last fall, with the help of Coffelt Sign Company and IM Design Group we installed several quilt blocks through the downtown and community. These blocks feature the creative talents of world renowned quilter, Rose Frances Good Kretsinger. For more information in this program and where to view the quilts click HERE.

Following the quilts, Emporia Main Street wanted to engage the community in designing the next round of interactive murals. After gathering concept submissions from area students and artists, we had lots of content to work with. This week we were able to install two murals that have been scheduled for this project.
The first install took place on the south side of Town Royal (405 Commercial) where we flexed our love for Emporia. A huge shout out to Joel Smith and his creative talents for the design and to Jamie Darcy for the “Emporia Strong” inspiration.

The second mural, located on the west side of Unbound Gravel Headquarters (11 W. 8th), was inspired by a concept submitted by Ashley Leihsing – and might make ya want to shake it like a Polaroid picture!
Both murals were printed and installed by Coffelt Sign Company and are made of a material that is 100% recyclable.
We hope you take an opportunity to visit these fun interactive murals and tag us when you post your pictures! We are @emporiamainstreet on Facebook and @emporia.main.street on Instagram.
Stay tuned, we might just have a few more surprises up our sleeve!