Downtown to feature 'Marshall-centric' artwork through state Arts Council project
MARSHALL - The Madison County Arts Council hopes the eccentric and artistic flavor of Marshall will attract new visitors to the mountain town, as the organization will host an event showcasing colorful art to be displayed throughout the downtown area July 20-21.
The three remaining murals and eight medallions celebrating Marshall will be installed throughout buildings in the downtown area, as well as on Blannahassett Island. The first installations will take place July 20.
The artwork is "Marshall-centric" and makes reference to unique aspects of the town, its culture and history, Madison County Arts Council Executive Director Laura Boosinger said.
"The point is, it's supposed to bring people to the town to see art, be something that's for the community, that represents value for the community - so, of course there's music and agriculture, as well as wildlife," Boosinger said. "It also incorporates the quirkiness of Marshall."
In July 2021, the Arts Council unveiled the first mural, "Find Your Center," which was installed at the First Presbyterian Church in Marshall. Lara Nguyen designed the murals, and her husband Todd Frahm crafted the medallions.
The couple operates Stonecloud Studio and lives in Swannanoa. They will be in Marshall July 20 to install the artwork. Mayor Nancy Allen will be among the guest speakers at the event.
The murals and medallions were made possible by Marshall being named a SmART community in 2018. The North Carolina Arts Council's SmART Communities program is an initiative that transforms downtowns and fuels sustainable economic development, according to the county arts council's website.
The murals are a part of the NC Mural Project, and each mural will have a plaque with a QR code attached to the building. These measure about 14 inches. Viewers will be able to click the QR code on their phones which will take them to the NC Mural Project page where they can learn more about the artists, the murals and Marshall, according to Boosinger.
The medallions' interactivity will allow for families to experience the art in a more meaningful way, the executive director said.
"The medallions are interactive, so families that come to town can grab a piece of paper and a big, honkin' crayon and do a rubbing on the medallion," Boosinger said. "The murals will have a plaque there, and all the sponsors - Hometown Strong, the Department of (Natural and) Cultural Resources - will be listed on the QR code."
The QR code will allow the viewer to access filmed interviews with the artists, which will take place July 21, as well as video of the installation, Boosinger said.
"What this is going to do for Marshall is give us another bigger exposure across the state," she said. "So, when people find out about the mural trail, they'll come here to see them. Or maybe they'll find out about the murals when they're in town, and then find out about the mural trail by looking at the plaques.
"It's going to be so enlivening. I don't really think anybody's going to have any trouble with what they look like, because they're bright and cheerful.
According to Boosinger, The Depot is among the eight locations to receive a medallion. The famed music venue will boast the "Sing to Me Your Song" medallion, which depicts a bird with a banjo on its back, depicted on a music staff.
"That's the one I pushed for," said Boosinger, a renowned singer and banjo player.
Boosinger said while one purpose of the project is to attract more visitors to Marshall, the quirky town's current residents will appreciate the artwork also.
"The idea is to have people come to town and interact with them and enjoy them, as well as folks who come back to Marshall and grew up here," she said. "I think that there's a huge potential for engagement with all of the pieces of art."
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Downtown to feature 'Marshall-centric' artwork beginning July 20
