Mural artist, Mariah Kaminsky, and 22 Project Jericho students worked together to finish the mural in 20 days.
“We could not have made the deadline without all of the help,” Kaminsky said. “I was able to keep on schedule because of all the amazing help.”
PHOTOS: The Rose City Mural in Springfield
Springfield was known as the Rose City from the late 19th Century through the Great Depression for nurturing around 20 million flowers a year.
“We have been on a mission for the past 6 months to bring the history of the Rose City back to life,” said Lauren Houser, Director of Project Jericho.
Houser found a collection of seed catalogs and the idea grew from there.
Kaminsky studied the seed catalogs and began drawing the mural. She then designed a paint by number to guide the Project Jericho students during the painting process.
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With 28.5 gallons of primer and paint, Project Jericho was able to accomplish their goal of bringing the Rose City back to life.
“For us it is special because we’re showing the power that the arts have to bring people together and to bring joy,” Houser said.
The community has shown support for the mural throughout the drawing and painting process by stopping to check on the mural’s progress themselves.
“It’s our duty at Project Jericho to do things that continue to make this town so vibrant and rich in culture,” Houser said. “So grateful to have such a supportive community.”
Facts and figures
876 square feet
200 hours Mariah Kaminsky spent on the mural
87 hours Project Jericho kids spent painting
32 roses drawn from floral catalog covers
28.5 gallons of primer and paint
20 days to prim, draw, paint, and varnish
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