Friends and family of the late Reta Brack gathered at the ribbon cutting of a new mural dedicated in her memory at the corner of 12th and Williams Street, in Great Bend, on Wednesday. The mural wraps around the side of the Sunflower Center, home to the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, Central Kansas CASA, and United Way of Central Kansas. Painted by Hutchinson artist Brady Scott, it features a bluejay and sunflowers, Brack’s favorite flower.
“She loved her community and she loved sunflowers”Andrea Bauer
“Reta LOVED Sunflowers. We gave Brady free rein and didn’t change anything from his concept art,” said Andrea Bauer, Barton Arts Movement co-chair and granddaughter of Brack.
Reta Brack was a longtime chamber member, community volunteer and a frequent at Chamber Coffee events. “She loved her community and she loved sunflowers,” Bauer added. “Brady went with a bluejay rather than the traditional meadowlark since they are already so popular around the state. We’re very excited with this beautiful mural in her honor.” The contrast of the bluejay versus the sunflowers makes the mural stunningly vibrant.
BAM received a $3,000 leadership gift for this project from the estate of Reta Brack. The rest of the needed funding was secured through donations. BAM exists to create community pride through public art and has facilitated numerous projects in Barton County since 2021. This is part of the county mural effort through the Barton Arts Movement, a grass-roots committee operating under the Golden Belt Community Foundation.
