Wall to receive musical makeover

SEARCY, Ark. (AP) — A 100-by-40-foot mural to be painted on a downtown Searcy business will highlight Arkansas musicians by showcasing their songs, according to Think ART Director Mat Faulkner, who initiated plans to adorn Searcy in art and culture back in September.

"The Think ART Project is pleased to announce the selected design for the Quattlebaum Music building mural, designed by artist Tara Peacock," Faulkner said. He added that the design will be painted on the east side of the building "in early 2018, as weather permits."

The Daily Citizen reports that elements of the multi-color design illustrate symbols and song titles, like "Hello Darlin'" by Conway Twitty, who was raised in Helena, "Let the Good Times Roll" by Louis Jordan of Brinkley and "The Most Beautiful Girl" by Charlie Rich, who was from Colt.

Seven other song titles from Arkansas songwriters also will be incorporated into the mural.

"My goal was to create a design that people could engage with and the lyrics that would bring back memories," Peacock said.

A total of 17 artists, including amateur and area professionals, submitted design concepts for consideration by the Think ART Project review panel, according to Faulkner.

"The review board had two rounds of reviews and then conducted a research phase to make song lyric recommendations to Tara Peacock, the awarded artist for the job," he said.

"I oversee a 'blind review' of the art designs submitted, which means voting committee members are not told who the artist is, which levels out the playing field, and the art is judged based on the merit of the art itself and not who created it."

Faulkner said the selection was done in this fashion in order to give amateurs and professionals alike the same opportunity.

"The Think ART Project was something I was interested in from the beginning," Peacock said. "The initiative of the project as a whole is to improve our community through the power of art in its many forms."

"The job was opened on the Think ART Project Facebook page and involved a submission process that lasted several weeks Submissions were open to the public."

Peacock is originally from Lavaca, and she earned an undergraduate degree in graphic design at University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. She and her husband currently live in Bald Knob.

"I'm honored to have been selected for this particular location," Peacock said. "I'm anxious to see this mural go up, as well as other murals and art in Searcy.

"The collaboration of so many artists and community members is very exciting and is what drew me to being involved. Every artist has a style. To see those varying styles and techniques of many talented people come together will truly be special and, to me, embodies what art is."

She said an important part of the design for this mural to her was "that the specific lyrics included were something that someone would like to take a photo in front of."

"I can see many couples stopping for a selfie in front of Conway Twitty's 'Hello Darlin'," she said.

"I wanted the lyrics to also bring back memories and have significance to the viewers."

The group at Think ART Studio announced its plan to beautify Searcy in September, with 17 art projects planned, including a graffiti mural at the city skate park.

In addition to murals, Faulkner said to expect light features, water features, mosaics and other forms of art throughout the city.

The Think ART Project is an effort to improve quality of life for this region, reflect its history, increase tourism here and encourage relocation to the community through art, according to Faulkner. The project is under the umbrella of the Searcy Arts Council.

Upcoming Events