Above is a sample of work by Tim Parsley, who will begin work on a mural in downtown Warsaw on Sept. 8. A description of the future mural has not been announced. The 6,000 square foot mural (above), titled “This Land Was Made for You and Me,” features an American bison in downtown Fort Wayne. Photo Provided.

Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw will soon have a new mural as part of the Northeast Regional Partnership “Make It Your Own” Mural Fest.

The Mural Fest lasts for 11 days and involves 11 counties, including Kosciusko.

Kosciusko County’s meet the artist event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10. The location of the mural is the wall at 212 S. Buffalo St., known by some as the Glam building.

A short public presentation, recognizing the business owner, artist and others, is planned for 5:15 p.m. This will take place, rain or shine, in the parking lot at 220 S. Buffalo St.

The event will have a festive atmosphere.

Tim Parsley

Residents can enjoy browsing booths pertaining to the arts and environment, such as the Watershed Foundation, Lilly Center for the Lakes and Streams, Spoonful of Imagination, Red Bird and the Lakeland Art Association. Some of these booths will have children’s art activities available.

Food vendors, including Hawkins Famous Fish, Mad Anthony’s, Shawnanigans and 110 Craft Meatery, will have food for sale.

The artist behind Warsaw’s future mural is Tim Parsley, of Fort Wayne.

Parsley is a professor of studio art at the University of Saint Francis. As a public artist and local educator, he has created numerous large-scale murals, both nationally and internationally. Recently, he painted the 6,000 square foot mural entitled “This Land Was Made for You and Me” which features an American bison in downtown Fort Wayne.

When asked why public art was important to community member’s quality of life, Parsley stated, “Public art is a tangible reminder to us to stop and see things differently. It can help break us from our usual routines and think differently about our world by inspiring us, challenging us, and engaging our creative curiosity.”

The actual art concept for the mural is still confidential. The art concept will be revealed as the mural painting progresses.

Parsley will begin painting, with the help of two mentees, when the festival starts on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Artists will continue working throughout the duration of the festival, with the mural to be completed on Friday, Sept. 18, pending weather.

Jill Boggs, Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO, is part of the steering committee. She explained that this festival has been months in the making, with the ultimate goal of adding public art to the community while also attracting visitors.

“This is about the development of public art and to get visitors of all types that might want to see these walls,” said Boggs.

The mural collection will also act as a way to connect the region. The bureau has created 11 different Northeast Indiana Road Trips. Each road trip allows art lovers to see a new mural, along with popular activities and destinations in that area. For example, the lakes-themed road trip includes stops in Steuben, Lagrange, Noble, Kosciusko, Whitley, Huntington and Adams County.