Mural Initiatives
Murals have been popping up in downtowns across America giving new life and creativity to otherwise unadorned areas. AIMS, in partnership with local businesses, brought this latest trend to downtown Anderson.
The purpose behind our mural initiatives:
-
Create a welcoming environment for visitors and residents
-
Increase access to and participation in public art
-
Nurture a “sense of place” in downtown Anderson
When AIMS started this initiative, we wanted to take small, blighted areas in highly visible parts of downtown and give them some love and beautification. Locations were scouted and we found two doorways that fit what we were looking for perfectly.
Muralists were chosen out of a pool of applicants based on their use of color, creativity, and past professional work. The “call for artists” was released only in the central Indiana area to ensure local artists were selected for the projects.
The first mural was painted in August of 2020 by local artist Koda Witsken and was inspired by the phrase #growAnderson. The woman personifies Anderson growing something new – a tree that symbolizes a bright community. Check it out next to Standt’s Jewelry at 1009 Meridian Street.
Before
After
The second small mural was painted in September of 2020 by local artist Shelby Nower. It was inspired by the phrase #Andersonlove and pays tribute to Anderson’s history with a unique twist on the historic and famous Anderson gas lamp. This mural can be found between Creatures of Habit and Hoosier Press at 1027 Meridian Street.
Before
After
Forthcoming “Welcome to Downtown” large scale mural!
Keep checking this website and our Facebook page for the new “Welcome to Downtown” mural slated for this fall. This mural will welcome people to downtown at the corner of 9th and Meridian. We are currently in the design phase and appreciate all the public input we received via focus groups and our social media survey.