Ohio County Public Library Unveils Colorful Mural Designed to Inspire
Eric Ayres Trending
The Ohio County Public Library unveiled a new mural inside the library's main floor on Tuesday, offering a colorful change of scenery with an unusual combination of inspirational figures.
Completed by local artist Vondel Bell, the new mural called "Colors and Thoughts" is anchored by a cross-section of a human brain divided into "left-brain, right-brain" hemispheres, highlighting the theory that people boast different personalities because of their use of different parts of their brains. Left-brain people are often described as more analytical and logic-centered thinkers, while right-brained people are characterized by creativity and a more artistically driven thought process.
The mural also features two famous figures who embody these two different characteristics -- poet Maya Angelou and theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. The faces of the two 20th century icons are shown in vibrant color, and they are positioned with a twist - as Angelou appears on the analytical side of the brain and a laughing Einstein appears on the artistic side.
Buzzwords and phrases such as "Freedom of Thought," "Respect," "Equality," "Knowledge," "Forward Thinking" and "Be You" surround the multicolored artwork.
"I think it's beautiful," said Sean Duffy, programming director and local history specialist at the library, noting that the mural offers several positive messages - particularly that the library is a place where everyone is free to think and express themselves without judgment. "It's also a place where you can educate yourself and gain knowledge. When you look at the two people depicted -- they both represent something special. Einstein was a scientific genius and also a patron of the arts. And Maya Angelou, of course one of our renowned poets who was a big fan of libraries.
You put those things together, and I think it inspires people to create."
A Wheeling Park High School grad who studied graphic design at California University of Pennsylvania, Bell was a standout athlete who through his 20s traded one set of talents on the football field to another completely different set of talents on blank walls all over the valley. His unique artistry can be seen on murals he has painted throughout the area, from Bridge Street Middle School to West Liberty University, Wheeling's Heritage Trail, Wheeling Park High School and many other locations.
"It's always been a passion of mine -- since I was a kid, I was always drawing," Bell said. "This piece is one of my favorites, just because of all the colors and the message."
Bell said it took a day to complete the original drawing, and then it took about two and a half weeks to transfer the work to the wall inside the library.
During Tuesday's Lunch With Books program at the library, a crowd gathered for an official reveal of the new mural, with Bell doing the honors of unveiling the work. Following the reveal, patrons gathered for a reception that featured live music by Ezra Hamilton, snacks by Table 304 and a time-lapse video of Bell painting the new mural from start to finish.
Duffy noted that the new mural replaces an older one that had been on the wall for about 50 years designating that section of the library as the Young Adult area. Officials at the library wanted to open a new chapter and bring a fresh new look to the main floor -- and the new mural does just that.
Bell, 29, was commissioned to create the artwork and complete the new mural.
"We wanted something modern -- something that kids today could better identify with," Duffy said.