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| CITY GETS A BRIGHT SPOT |
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A community mural unites Conyers residents Paint, paint brushes, cookies and lemonade can go a long way in bringing people together. The recipe is one that worked in Conyers, where dozens of residents united recently to beautify West Avenue.
From little kids to business professionals, residents rolled up their sleeves to help paint a colorful mural of a park setting. Their contributions marked the final phase of the city’s effort to make West Avenue, one of the main entrances to Conyers, more attractive. The nearly $1 million beautification project —of which $10,250 was spent on the community mural—is being funded by the 2007-2008 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), said Jennifer Edwards, director of tourism and public relations for Conyers. The West Avenue project included landscaping, repaving the street, and adding sidewalks and street lights. City officials commissioned local artist Jack Whitaker to oversee the painting of the mural at 1162 West Ave, which is located near Dogwood Drive and a Mrs. Winner’s restaurant. Whitaker was one of many artists who helped to paint the murals for the1996 Olympics held in Atlanta. “The paintings that I was a part of for the Olympics gave me a lot of pride, but when you’re doing something for a community that’s close to you, it’s really something special,” said Whitaker. “I always liked this kind of work because it’s fun to get the kids involved. That’s the exciting part for me.”
Whitaker designed a 3-D park scene for the West Avenue mural. He had volunteers paint designated sections of the piece. Whitaker, who will finish the work, estimates the mural will be ready by early November, weather permitting. “I’m going to add the people, pets and benches to really give it that park feel. The finished project will be a cool display of your typical day in the park for everybody here to enjoy,” Whitaker said.
Harriet Gattis, tourism manager of the Conyers Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she thinks the mural will be a great selling point for the first business that moves into the building, and a source of pride for the community. “This mural is a way for residents to show community pride and the ability to work together, but it also shows the completion and celebration of the West Avenue beautification project,” Gattis saidWilliam Emofonmwan, a resident who helped with the Oct. 8 mural paint session, agrees. “Out of three years volunteering for the city, this project has been one of the most enjoyable projects I’ve been a part of,” said Emofonmwan, who has lived in Conyers for 10 years. “I hope everyone that comes into Conyers will see this bright spot when they go by. It really shows community involvement.”
The Sherwin-Williams paint store on state Highway 138 provided the paint and supplies for the mural at a discounted price. City officials say a beautification project is now under way on Milstead Avenue, another gateway to the city. The street will be repaved and new landscaping, street lights and welcome signs will be added. The city has earmarked $728, 498 for that project. Volunteer William Emofonmwan (left) gets painters started on the project.
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 October 2009 09:43 ) |
