Experience El Dorado is inviting the community to help celebrate its newest public art installation at Mural Plaza. A ribbon cutting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at the Plaza, located at 110 W. First Ave.
“We are excited to officially unveil our newest mural in the downtown area,” said Kate Bosserman, Experience El Dorado Marketing Specialist. “And we want to celebrate Mural Plaza during the May Thankful Thursday.”
The plaza’s three art installations embody Kansas, El Dorado, and the pride we feel for our hometown. Experience El Dorado gathered the community’s ideas and inspirations during a virtual townhall. Artists submitted mural concepts, and the Experience El Dorado community committee weighed in on final selections.
The first mural, Joe Buffalo, is based on Kansas’s motto “Ad Astra Per Aspera”, Latin for to the stars through difficulties. The state’s animal represents determination in difficult times because these majestic creatures persisted despite near extinction. Wichita creative collective Brickmob designed and painted the mural.
The second mural is a simple reminder that El Dorado is home. It was designed and painted by city staff.
Brickmob artist Richard Garcia created three-foot tall ELDO letter sculpture. “This original sculpture offers another fun photo opportunity for El Dorado residents and visitors,” Bosserman said. “We wanted to create a destination for the community and visitors.” The plaza is just steps from downtown restaurants and boutiques.
The ribbon cutting will include live music by El Dorado musician Chase Holton, cookies from Bakery 177 and appearances from the Miss El Dorado Ambassadors.
“Plan to stay after for shopping during El Dorado Main Street’s Thankful Thursday,” Bosserman said.
This Experience El Dorado project is supported in part by a $10,000 grant from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC), which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The matching grant helps to leverage the creative arts to benefit the Kansas economy. The wall spaces are provided by Dwight and David Wernli, El Dorado residents and businessmen.