New Jasper mural will include help from public

Work is set to begin on a mural project commissioned by Jasper Community Arts and the public will have an opportunity to take part in the process.

With the assistance of a grant from the Dubois County Community Foundation, Jasper Community Arts has commissioned a mural for the south wall of the building located at Brew, 408 Main Street in Jasper.

The artist selected for this project is experienced muralist Jesa Simon of Henderson, Nevada. She is a founding member of the Arts Advisory Board of Nevada State College.

Jesa’s resume highlights include murals at the National Charity League, Arizona Science Center, Conrad Chicago Hotel, and San Francisco General Hospital, among others.

To view Jesa’s work, visit her website: http://www.jesasimon.com.

“Through the use of vivid colors, textures, and abstract patterns, I know I will be able to create a stellar piece of work to convey the power of community,” Jesa said. “Much of my work is soaked in themes regarding unity, love and sense of discovery, something I believe to be cohesive with your art initiative.”

The mural created for Jasper, titled Secret Garden, showcases a young girl releasing various birds into the air. The birds are flying towards what appears to be a secret garden that has been revealed via a zipper. The girl pulled the zipper in order to reveal the secret garden trapped within the wall.

A nod to environment and nature awareness, this piece asks the viewer to reflect on the notion of freedom and rebirth. When designing this mural, Jesa referenced a quote by poet Erin Hanson, “What if I fall? Oh darling, but what if you fly?!”

The wall will be cleaned and primed September 9th through 11th, with the mural being created September 19th through September 24th.

The community is welcome to stop by at any time during the painting of the mural to view the creative process.

Jasper Community Arts has also opened the process up to the public through Community Day, including painting, on Wednesday, September 21st from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. No reservations required. Anyone who would like to paint will be asked to sign a volunteer form; participants under the age of 18 will need a parent’s signature.

Jesa will have an artist talk on Thursday, September 22nd, at 6:00 p.m. at Brew, 408 Main Street. She will discuss the economics of public art with a question and answer session to follow. No reservations required.

This artist has a strong background in nonprofit work, specifically among young budding artists who have an interest in the arts.

In addition to Community Day and the Artist Talk, a select number of Jasper High School art students will be given the opportunity to participate in a one and a half hour work session with Jesa. The session will include some time painting the mural and a discussion on how young artists can pursue creative careers and obtain the business skills needed to sustain themselves and their work.

Public art has been demonstrated as a vehicle for prosperity and community unity in many cities. Jasper Community Arts, with the supporting grant from Dubois County Community Foundation, strives to bring these artistic opportunities to our citizens and businesses.

This project is meant to help initiate more public art. Jasper Community Arts is excited to inspire diversity and accessibility of our expanding community. Art can be thought provoking, meaningful, or just beautiful, all of which will be a positive addition to our downtown area.