Every piece of mural art is a unique addition to its community, speaking its own narrative and bringing its own streak of character to its setting.
In short, mural art is a way the community expresses who it is. What it values. What makes up its heart and soul.
Community in Sparta came out in full force to paint this mural. Some days it was hot in the sun. Some days it was chilly with a biting wind. They were there every day.
Mural art honoring….ART!
The Sparta mural was painted on the wall of Lark’s Nest, in downtown Sparta. Many hands came together to make it happen: Alleghany Arts Council members, community members.
It was a community member’s idea to emphasize the ART in Sparta. Laura Gentry – who was there painting the mural every day – had the idea and it was just perfect! Here is the mural before the addition.
The most welcoming community
Sparta is a small town tucked up high in the Appalachian Mountains, just a stone’s throw from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
During our time in Sparta, the Arts Council was our family. There painting with José every day. Taking us out for drives around the beautiful region. Taking us out to experience the different restaurants and breweries of Sparta.
Before departing from Sparta, the community came together to give us a farewell party, which was so kind.
And the community showered us with a beautiful basket of gifts! We were just simply floored and humbled by the community of Sparta.
Thank you to the Alleghany Arts Council
The Alleghany Arts Council sponsored the paint for this mural as well as the Alleghany JAM mural, and the Council also made a generous $1000 dollar donation to Art We There Yet just before our departure from Sparta. Truly paying-it-forward, these funds allowed us to bring more free murals and free workshops to communities further down the road.
Did you know?
The AWTY Patreon Family is the beating heart behind the Art We There Yet project.
Patrons pitch in $1.50/mth to help support our community art programs…
…And they get a mountain of goodies in return!
50+ unreleased demos from Cora
100 print-ready fine art photographs from Jose
Untold stories and behind-the-scenes vignettes
Early access to new Cora Rose songs
Downloads of all new Cora Rose songs and albums
Credits in the final film and book