The Barton Arts Movement announces a new large-scale mural to be installed at 2602 10th St. in Great Bend, on the northwest corner of the 10th and Washington intersection. This will be the fourth and final art installation of the 2023 season for the volunteer-led arts group, measuring approximately 14 feet high and 58 feet wide. 

“We are thrilled to add some color to this busy intersection in Great Bend,” said Rachel Mawhirter, volunteer for Barton Arts Movement. “This intersection sees approximately 17,000 vehicles traveling east and west down 10th Street every day, so this vibrant and colorful new mural will make a big impact. We are very grateful to the property owner for allowing us to use their building as a canvas for this project.”

The building is owned by KJS Ventures LLC and will be painted by Houston, Texas, artist Whitney Hayden (Murals by Whitney). Hayden has built a reputation on social media and TikTok for her signature “color melt” technique, which will be featured in this new mural in Great Bend.

“As we were deciding what subject matter to center around, we knew we wanted this to be something eye catching and welcoming, so we’ve partnered with the City of Great Bend, the Great Bend Foundation, and the Barton Arts Council to make sure this mural can become a landmark and photo-worthy backdrop for years to come,” Mawhirter said. “The artwork will feature a ‘Welcome to Great Bend’ message and a doodle-style embellishment just invites you to interact with it and take photos of it.”

Total investment for this project is $14,000. Because of the generous grants provided by the entities Mawhirter named, and a few other private donors, the project is already more than 70% funded. Barton Arts Movement volunteers are actively fundraising for the remaining $3,000 (approximately) that is still needed to complete this project in August 2023. 

“We have only shared the rendering with a select group of donors at this point, and are doing something different to unveil the artist’s rendering as we fundraise for the project,” Mawhirter says. “The public is invited and encouraged to engage with our fundraiser on the Barton Arts Movement facebook page, where they can donate to remove a square from the grid that’s hiding the mural rendering. As donations pour in, more and more of the mural will be revealed.”

Tax-deductible donations are being collected by the Golden Belt Community Foundation, 1307 Williams Street in Great Bend, KS 67530. Donations can also be made online through the BAM website. Any donations received in excess of this project’s needs will be used for murals in the 2024 season.

The Barton Arts Movement is driven by volunteers and operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Golden Belt Community Foundation, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Anyone interested in following the group’s events and projects can follow BAM on its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bartonartsmovement, or learn more at www.BartonArtsMovement.com.

Chance Mitchell receives People’s Choice Award during Art Alley Competition

The Barton Arts Movement announced that Hoisington student Chance Mitchell was voted the People’s Choice Award Winner on Friday, June 30, during the group’s Second Annual Art Alley Pop-Up Gallery and Competition. Over a dozen local artists displayed 16-by-20-inch canvas artwork for the public to enjoy in conjunction with the Final Fridays on Forest activities. Guests at the pop-up gallery got to vote on their favorites, and Mitchell’s painting received the most votes from the crowd.

Mitchell received a “BAMMY” award as well as public recognition.

The artist is the son of Jonathan Mitchell and Lindsey Reif, DVM in Hoisington. He will be entering the eighth grade at Hoisington Middle School this fall.

“I’ve been doing art since preschool and my favorite type of art is painting with acrylic paints,” Mitchell said. “I found a picture online of this sunset and knew I wanted to paint it. I often look online for inspiration.”

He plans to pursue a career as an exotic animal veterinarian when he grows up. Outside of school, Mitchell also dances at Alys Dance Studio on the competition team and enjoys all types of art.

Mitchell also participated in the Art Alley in 2022, but did not win an award until 2023. “If you are not sure if you should show your art, you should do it anyways,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what other people think of you, but only what you think of yourself. Don’t give up.”

The Art Alley pop-up gallery/competition is just one of many projects being led by the Barton Arts Movement this year. The group has already completed two murals in 2023, with plans for at least two more before the season is over. Anyone interested in following the group’s events and projects can follow BAM on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bartonartsmovement.

The Barton Arts Movement is driven by volunteers and operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Golden Belt Community Foundation, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Follow BAM on its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bartonartsmovement or, learn more at www.BartonArtsMovement.com.