They were all artists that day.
More than 40 people picked up brushes to paint a 774 square foot mural at the intersection of Lyon Avenue and Chase Street in Woodland Heights. Volunteers didn’t need talent or experience, just a desire to be a part of something unique. In four hours, they transformed remnants of a warehouse into sky, land and water.
Victory Mission owns the property where the warehouse once stood. Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri (HFHS) and two volunteer groups from Jack Henry & Associates trimmed weeds and swept debris until the lot was clean. The front of the warehouse foundation was power washed and primed. Outlines of bees, flowers and fish appeared days before the event, called Moon City Art Takeover.
“I like taking something that is not natural, like concrete, and turning it into something that adds beauty to our neighborhood through images of nature,” said Linda Passeri, project manager. And while the concrete foundation is not a perfect canvas, “We work with what we have.”
Marian Chamberlain and Jennifer Wolken are the two other artists from Moon City Creative District who designed sections of the wall.
A few weeks after the mural was completed, an individual not associated with Woodland Heights vandalized the wall.
People who live and work in the neighborhood rallied around their mural. With the help of concerned citizens and PAR Officer Jim Cooney, the individual was identified and the matter was resolved. Artists from Moon City Creative District are restoring the mural to its original beauty.
Woodland Heights is eager to embrace an identity of a neighborhood with creative spaces. The bright colors on the “Woodland Wall” make the space look completely different. It’s no longer an abandoned eyesore but a gathering place that addresses one of the goals of the neighborhood: beautification.
The mural is a partnership between Moon City Creative District, the Woodland Heights Neighborhood Association, Springfield Victory Mission and HFHS, all working together to revitalize Woodland Heights. Neighborhood Revitalization works to improve the quality of life in a neighborhood by listening to residents, setting goals, making plans and bringing in partners. Moon City Creative District is a live/work area for artists north of Commercial Street. The vision is to establish a vibrant and unique area that provides a wide range of artistic, cultural, employment and living opportunities.
The public art on Chase Street is a result of a conversation between HFHS and residents of Woodland Heights who were asked to choose short-term projects to improve their neighborhood. A grant that HFHS received from Fund for Shared Insight made it possible. The collaboration between businesses, artists and people in the community made it a reality.