EAST HELENA — An East Helena building has been brightened up, thanks to some local artists and volunteers.
On Tuesday, seven mural panels were installed on the side of the historic Volunteer Fireman’s Hall. The colorful paintings, featuring sunflowers, are now visible from U.S. Highway 12.
The project was directed by artists Bri Willson and Sherri Cornett. Last month, several dozen people from around the area helped paint the flowers onto the panels. The volunteers included local families, Girl Scouts and others. The separate panels allowed participants to socially distance while working.
Willson told MTN she was proud of the community and the participants – and of the results.
“It really turned out far past my expectations,” she said.
Organizers said the sunflower was a good representation of East Helenans – strong individually and standing tall together.
The mural is part of the East Helena Food and Culture Hub, an ongoing “creative placemaking” project highlighting the community’s unique cultural identity.
Krys Holmes, executive director of the Myrna Loy, said her organization and the city of East Helena have been working on refurbishing the Fireman’s Hall to make it a more usable and more inviting community space.
