WBIW.com News - state

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Crowdfunding Campaign Launched For The "Mandala Mural Project"

Last updated on Wednesday, May 2, 2018

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Fort Wayne residents will soon be able to enjoy two new murals along the North Anthony Corridor, thanks to a recently launched crowdfunding campaign.

The campaign, sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and offered through the crowdfunding platform developed by Patronicity is being run by the the North Anthony Corridor Group (NACG).

"Public art has a unique way of redefining spaces," said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. "This is exactly what the Mandala Mural Project is intended to do. Additionally, it will add vibrancy and a welcoming-feel to the North Anthony Corridor."

If the campaign reaches its $13,000 goal by May 31st, the 'Mandala Mural Project' will receive a matching grant of $13,000 from IHCDA's CreatINg Places program.

Click here for project details and to donate.

The funding raised during this campaign will allow NACG to engage artist Jerrod Tobias of Tobias Studios to complete murals along two exterior walls of a commercial building located at 3523 N Anthony Blvd; the building currently houses the Firefly Coffee House, Health Food Shoppe, and Studio Seva. The two murals will follow a similar theme to a mural already on one wall of the building, and will help make the business corridor more a more vibrant and welcoming destination for residents and visitors to explore.

"The North Anthony Corridor Group has been working with neighboring businesses to establish more community gathering places on the Corridor", said NACG board president, John Schoedel. "The new murals, in addition to the existing 'Cardinals' masterpiece by Tobias, completed in 2016 on the opposite side of the building, is an extension of the ongoing mission to make the North Anthony Corridor one of the most vibrant and welcoming neighborhoods in the city." Schoedel added, "these murals will give us all the opportunity to nurture the connections with our urban and natural environments and offer a safe public space with which to reconcile our ongoing questions about what it means to be a community."

Since the CreatINg Places program began last fall, projects have raised in excess of $1,140,000 in public funds and an additional $900,000 in matching IHCDA funds.

The CreatINg Places program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should they successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page