Fire Station Mural Latest Public Art Addition in South Wheeling
Eric Ayres Trending
Many efforts are underway to help transform the Friendly City from Rust Belt town with a sentimental past to a vibrant community with a promising future -- at least that's the way many intend to (literally) paint this chapter in the city's history.
In neighborhoods throughout town, a splash of artistic inspiration is just what it takes to help brighten an entire city block. In recent years, a number of new murals have been painted on the sides of buildings around Wheeling -- giving once gray and drab corners of the city a bright pop of color and creativity.
Perhaps one of the most ideal treasure troves of blank canvases for murals in the city is in South Wheeling. The neighborhood is peppered with a mix of historic residential and industrial buildings. Some are vacant, while others are bustling with business -- and many buildings boast long, blank walls that are almost asking to be used.
The Wheeling Arts & Cultural Commission spearheaded an effort to create a large mural on the side of a large building on 23rd Street in South Wheeling. The mural was painted on the exterior side that faces Heritage Trail in the fall of 2021 by three artists.
And a number of other murals have since popped up, as well.
"We're quickly becoming a mural hub in South Wheeling, which we're very grateful for," said Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum, who represents the neighborhood as part of the city's Ward 3.
Ketchum noted that the most recent mural was completed by Wheeling-based muralist and artist Amanda Carney. The artwork can be seen on the side of the South Wheeling Fire Station No. 4 on Jacob Street.
"She's been doing some incredible work in South Wheeling," Ketchum said. "This incredible mural was commissioned by the city of Wheeling. It's really exciting."
Images on the mural include the fire department's logo and silhouette of a group of firefighters.
The mural gives the fire station a new spark of life on the outside, and the city is currently moving ahead with efforts to upgrade the station's heating, air conditioning and electrical systems as part of a planned interior improvements, as well.
Just about a block up Jacob Street, another mural on a private Victorian residence can be seen. Last year, homeowner, preservationist and South Wheeling muralist Michael Kreuger Jr. completed a mural on the side of the home that appears almost to be a shadow cast on the wall from the neighboring property.
Local artist and muralist Mindi Yarbrough completed a large butterfly mural just behind Fire Station No. 4 at the 36th Street Pool.
More murals may likely be coming. Earlier this year, the Wheeling Arts & Cultural Commission reached out to the community in search of property owners wishing to have a new mural painted on the sides of suitable buildings.
"A couple of new mural projects are in the works" in South Wheeling, Ketchum noted.