The newest mural in downtown Newton was a community effort.
Retired Newton High Schol art teacher Ray Olais said he was approached last year by the owner of a building at Sixth and Main. The building’s owner was looking for artists for a mural.
Olais and around two dozen others, including high school students and community members completed the sunflower-themed mural over a six week period.
“I think they’re just trying to promote that this place has possibilities to flourish with more murals and more things happening here,” Olais said Thursday.
Local artists don’t want the momentum to stop at one mural.
A silent auction of single, stand-alone murals took place at the Carriage Factory Art Gallery to raise funds for future murals.
“Just to bring a community together, artists together, and just to make people excited about our town again,” artist Sara Lewis said.
Artist Constance Gehring says the murals give people another reason to visit downtown and get their picture taken.
(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)