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Harding University Art Department creates lovely murals for Searcy Arkansas.

By Barbara S. Duncan

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

September 01, 2010 03:16 AM

My vehicle automatically pulled over and stopped yesterday at the SW corner of Spruce Street on the court house square. My vehicle almost knows when blog material crops up. And this time a student, Dave Towell, graphic design major at Harding University, was on the scaffold working on the 4th mural. The murals are monochomatic and slightly abstracted and lovely. Daniel Adams, art instructor at Harding, is also often found painting on the murals. In fact, I think Daniel is the leader of the group doing the murals. If I'm wrong about that, please correct me.

Mural downtown Searcy Ar

searcy ar mural

These are the two newest ones. Already completed this year are shown below. They are on the side of the White County Assessor's office building. There are several panels left to go and each time they finish one they say it will be "next year" before they do another. BUT! Now we have four and I'm hoping they finish them all this year! Thanks....Harding Art Department for spreading beauty!!

Mural downtown Searcy Ar

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Don Thompson

Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

I don't know, Barbara, I hope they look better seeing them in person rather than the pics. Not the usual city building murals.

All but the first look like some kind of industrial art project. How does this artwork reflect Searcy?

Maybe I'm missing something but ugh! IMHO.

Sep 01, 2010 07:57 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Rita, they are very attractive but some (See Don's comment) may not like them.

Don, you have to appreciate simplying and abstracting to appreciate the murals. Perhaps someone from Harding will give us their names or meanings. Personally, and probably because I'm an art major too, I love them. But I agree that they are not the normal city mural.

Sep 01, 2010 08:07 AM

Rita Fong

RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 - Marion, AR

Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale

Barbara, I kind of think it does reflect Searcy, look at all those industrial, agriculture, train, and the optical chart, I will think it covers what Searcy offers, doesn't it? I could be wrong, I only went to Searcy twice, I think.

Sep 01, 2010 10:03 AM

Don Thompson

Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

I understand the abstract part but, take for example, the last one which shows an eye chart, an eye examination instrument, and a building. Give me a break. That's plain utilitarian, boring, and the color is awful. Now I do have to admit that they are different for city building murals. Not the usual historical and pioneer murals one often sees. I guess I had better shut up before Harding's art department pounces on me. Doesn't Searcy have grafitti laws?

Sep 01, 2010 10:52 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Rita, I like it fine. It's a good think Don does not live here or Harding Art Dept might come and paint abstract designs on his house.....with me as the leader. LOL

Don, watch your back! We may be aiming for you with a paint brush! I really want the art department to come in and tell us the story. I still like the murals. And you obviously studied them in order to give such great comments.

Sep 01, 2010 01:24 PM

Charles Edwards Bentonville

Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR

AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Barbara,Thanks for sharng these wonderful murals!

How great to live in a university town like Searcy. You are blessed.

Sep 01, 2010 03:45 PM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Barbara,

We have some nice artwork here in Bellingham, murals on the outside of buildings.

Sep 01, 2010 04:22 PM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Charles, you live in a good town also so we're both blessed.

Steven, you may have to post a picture of one of your murals.

Harold Gene, it would be interesting to hear how folks in Searcy feel about the murals. You and Don have brought up good points. They are actually more like pictures in a frame (7 frames in all I think) than murals with realistic details. You are very correct in saying not too many art majors will be viewing them....and the general public may not see through the eyes of the artist.

Sep 02, 2010 01:26 AM

Don Thompson

Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

Anita, where did IMGO come from? I said IMHO - In my humble opinion. =)

I am not a art major but I have studied art, visited famous art museums like the Prado and Louvre, and draw a little. I'm sure Harding's art Department can come up with explanations for their designs but if one has to explain it, it's not working as art. IMHO.

In the agricultural design, I would like to see a crate or box of strawberries. Searcy was once referred to as " The Strawberry Capitol of the World". Those Harding students probably don't know about that.

I always loved Anita's Mom's SHS Annual from the 20's that was called the Aroma for the smell of strawberries.

Paula says that the art reminds her of Communist Russia's art during the Industrial Revolution. That's an interesting take and I agree.

Sep 02, 2010 04:06 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Anita, Don, Harold Gene! Goodness....how can you all just tear this wonderful art work apart? I really love it and admire it each time I drive by. It is creative and well done. I hope Harding will step in and tell us how to appreciate it more. Anita, at least you still have that old adventurous spirit to even think of sneaking over and doing damages in Searcy.

Sep 02, 2010 06:55 AM

Don Thompson

Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

Here's what I found on searcy.com.

Mural

The Harding University Department of Art and Design recently completed a mural on the west side of the White County Tax Assessor’s office in historic downtown Searcy.

Students Ryan Baker, Katherine Kilpatrick, Carrie Goslin, Jonathan Alexander, and instructor Daniel Adams spent Saturday, March 20, sketching and painting the first in a series of murals to be completed on the west wall of the County-owned building. The first mural depicts an industrial scene representative of White County. Over the next few years, the department plans to complete murals on all of the wall panels.

Adams said, "Because of the nature of our team, we are only able to complete two panels per year, so keep coming back. In four years the wall will look fantastic!"

Each mural will feature a different color scheme and show a scene that is significant to the commercial development and history of White County. The second panel will be painted this month and showcase the area’s health-care field.

Searcy has certainly had some notable dentists and doctors but eye care professionals, I can't think of a single one. Help me out here.

Sep 02, 2010 12:03 PM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Don, this was in the paper and I remember reading it. I asked the leader of the team to come on board and tell us about the murals but so far he hasn't.

Anita, I admit not knowing anything about the difference in ophtalmologists and optometrists and knowing nothing about music but I know good art!! And I like this artwork.......

Sep 03, 2010 06:24 AM

Dana McGary

Crye-Leike Champion Real Estate Group, Searcy, Arkansas - Searcy, AR

Realtor - White County, Arkansas

Mrs. Duncan, I agree with you, I love it! I think it showcases great talent and brings downtown "alive". I am sure that when it is all completed it will probably make more sense to more people.

Sep 03, 2010 09:57 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Dana, thanks. I do need your support in this argument! LOL

Sep 03, 2010 10:38 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Ah Mrs Barbara,

Nutsy said you would want to hear from me. He thinks you are probably misting me. I am wondering, since he is away for awhile, if I might call you Godmother?

He is still bare wrangling on the tundra. I would comment, since this post is about art, that I suspect that the artistic excellence that I achieve in my recordings is probably the reason I has become such a big star. I stop at nothing to make sure that I is the bestest. My voice will fill a concert hall.

Wheatloaf, Cuz to Nutsy, Superstar Musiciaan (sp?)

Sep 03, 2010 11:25 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

I am quite perplexed. I was expecting that I would have an answer.

Wheat, favorite of Mrs Barbara

Sep 04, 2010 04:34 PM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Wheatieloaf, I may hurt your feelings just a little but you with the purple hair and the bad name of Squirrel out of hell can never replace my little godson Nutsy Wallenda. Nutsy was the epitome of sweet and nice and polite and cooperative. He might have got a little uppity once in a while but one tiny threat of taking him out of will would bring him back down to earth. You, Wheative, don't have any of those characteristics. So the answer to your question is No, No, No, you can't be my godson. But being the nice southern lady that I am, I need to finish with, "Thank you for asking."

P. S. Whataloaf, I've mentioned in my blogs before that I know nothing about music so the greatness of your voice can't impress me except for the noise it probably produces. Miss Anita, my blog buddy, might like to sponsor you as a godson. She's a musician.

Sep 05, 2010 02:19 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Godmother to Nutsy (not to Wheat),

I am thinking that Mrs Anita might like to send me some financial contributions so I can send her some of my CD's so she can hear real quality. If that is her daughter who is on the TV, maybe I should appear on the news hour too. PS, my image helps sell the music.

Wheat, supper star singer

Sep 05, 2010 07:08 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Wheat, Miss Anita reads this blog so just court her from here. She's sharp, however, and will not fall for any of your tricks. In fact, do not be caught dead in her attic.

Sep 05, 2010 07:40 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Godmother to Nutsy,

Thanks for the tip. Will do.

Wheat, supperstar singer