Salisbury's newest mural celebrates its landmarks at one of its beloved eateries

Growing up, Denny McLeod was a restless young boy. His fingers were always itching to draw.

"I was the kid who helped the teacher put up the bulletin boards. I was always helping, and always the first kid finishing a test or an assignment. I was fidgety," McLeod, 68, said. "So, I would draw."

McLeod's introduction to the world of art came in the form of a present.

When he was just a mere boy, McLeod was gifted a light-up art table tray by his parents. Little did he know, this special gift would ultimately spark his growing interest in art and lead him to a life-long career in artistry.

McLeod, who graduated from college with an art degree, later became an art teacher. He taught students of all ages — first grade through 12th grade — at an array of public and private schools.

"When I colored in a coloring book, I didn't stay in the lines. So, I encourage kids to not stay in the lines, to add an extra dimension to an object, to be expressive," he said. "I want to instill in (students) that art is a good foundation for your future."

McLeod's artwork can be seen all around, and now at a new spot

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Over the years, McLeod has created countless murals all over the Eastern Shore. Some of his artwork can be found at Genesis HealthCare, Joe's La Roma, Piezannos Pizza, Plaza Tapatia, Tailchasers Restaurant, Salisbury Moose Lodge, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School and many other locations.

McLeod's latest canvas is Salisbury's beloved Bagel Bakery Café, which initially opened in 2006 as Chesapeake Bagel Bakery. The local café is owned and operated by Kenny Soni.

After Soni's cousin — the café's previous owner — decided to retire nearly three years ago, he took charge and has been running the business along the ever-busy South Salisbury Boulevard ever since.

"This is the place," Soni said with a laugh.

McLeod, who resides in Princess Anne, knew of Bagel Bakery Café, but stumbled upon it again when his car got a flat tire nearby. On that fateful day, he walked inside, spoke to Soni, and before he knew it, agreed to create an original, Salisbury-centered mural for the café.

'Salisbury's Bagel Man' now has mural that spotlights city

Soni, 58, has dubbed himself "Salisbury's Bagel Man."

According to McLeod, that is precisely what Soni wants to be remembered as. And so, what better way to be remembered as "Salisbury's Bagel Man" than with a mural highlighting the very best that Salisbury has to offer.

"If you go to Italian restaurants, you'll see pictures of Venice; in Mexican restaurants, you'll see pictures of Mexico. But, no other restaurant has pictures of Salisbury," Soni said. "We know the names of 90% of our customers. This is the community. So why not celebrate where we are?"

McLeod's black-and-white mural depicts distinct Salisbury locations, including the Wicomico County Courthouse, Holloway Hall at Salisbury University, The Ross and a treasured nearby bridge.

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"I said (to Soni), you've got a beautiful color in here. It's light, airy, atmospheric," McLeod said of the café's light blue walls.

So, rather than use a multitude of colors for his original design, McLeod settled, first, on charcoal, then on the color black. The mural closely resembles an etching, or a rough sketch on a notepad.

"It's loose, it's old fashioned looking," he said. "It's busy, but not with color. It's busy with details."

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Soni is thrilled with McLeod's mural, which stretches across one wall near the cafe's entrance.

"He has put so many little details in there. It's unbelievable," Soni said.

McLeod's approach to his artwork is quite simple: to capture the essence or spirit of whatever it is he may be drawing.

"I don't want my murals to be cookie cutter," he said. "That's just the way I approach things."

The public unveiling of McLeod's mural, which is to be celebrated alongside Salisbury's mayor and more, is set to take place Saturday, Nov. 11, at 9:30 a.m. inside of Bagel Bakery Café.

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Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Muralist salutes Salisbury landmarks at one of its beloved eateries