ORLEANS – Historic downtown Orleans will soon welcome a new mural in the mini “gateway park”, located on the east side of the square, thanks to a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission.
The Town of Orleans was awarded $3,360 through the Arts Project Support grant program.
More than 480 applications were reviewed by 146 panelists from around the state with expertise in the arts, community development and nonprofit management.
“The projects and organizations selected to receive funding are strengthening our state,” said Anne Penny Valentine, chairwoman of the Indiana Arts Commission. “The commission is excited and honored to invest in Hoosier communities, supporting organizations that are doing exceptional creative work to make Indiana a great place to live, work, play, study and stay.”
Orleans Town Clerk Robert Henderson said the grant will help pay for a mural to be created and displayed in the newly developed downtown “Gateway Park.” The theme of the mural will be historic in nature.
Orleans High School art teacher Dr. Leah Morgan and the Advanced Art Students will be commissioned to create the artwork for the new mural along with H.D. Graphix being responsible for the installation.
“We are so fortunate the Indiana Arts Commission has selected our project to receive this grant,” Henderson said. “Murals and public art are so important to the vitality and creative spirit of communities such as ours.”
Town Councilman Randy Clark echoed Henderson’s comments saying, “This is a wonderful opportunity for our little hometown.”
The historic downtown area is home to several murals created over the past few years.
“We know projects like this bring attention to communities by drawing people to see them,” Clark said. “It also gives residents a sense of pride in their community.”
Funding for the Indiana Arts Commission and its programs is provided by the Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
