Volunteers paint a Color the County mural in Bargersville during the community painting day in 2020.
DAILY JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
From Greenwood to Edinburgh, Trafalgar to Bargersville, local residents can spot them.
Wall-sized art installations have popped up in communities all over Johnson County. With depictions of spritely cardinals, budding peonies, swimming fish and much more, the murals add color and spirit to places in need of a boost while bringing people together around the arts.
Now, organizers are reaching out to area artists to design the next entry in a growing tradition.
The Johnson County Community Foundation is looking for submissions for its Color the County program, an annual contest helping to beautify public areas. This year’s mural will be painted on the Johnson County Public Library’s book barn in Franklin.
In reaching out to local artists to give their ideas to the project, the program has cities and towns around the county reaching out to take part.
“We get calls from people every day saying they want a mural. The community understands that it is desired by their residents. It adds value to the communities and brightens up our neighborhoods,” said Kim Kasting, vice president of development for the Johnson County Community Foundation. “It also supports artists.”
For the past seven years, Color the County has brought local artists and residents together to beautify public spaces. The Johnson County Community Foundation has organized the design and creation of 11 murals, with artwork in Franklin, Greenwood, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Edinburgh and Whiteland.
The program was created in 2016 as the community foundation looked to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The idea was to connect people through a collaborative process of making murals, and transforming public spaces and the identities of neighborhoods.
Instead of commissioning an artist to create the mural design, organizers accepted submissions from the community.
The mural designs have ranged from calming silhouettes of children and adults playing with bubbles, to funky Ben Franklins and kites flying in the sky, to the sun rising over a farm field. Despite their depictions, each has employed vibrant color to form undeniably noticeable wallscapes.
“For the community foundation, it’s a way to engage with members of the community we may not engage with on a daily basis,” Kasting said.
Entries for the competition will be accepted through May 31. Those submissions are judged by a group of volunteer community members and Johnson County Community Foundation partners.
The entries will be reviewed and selected based on considerations such as artistic quality and strength of concept; contemporary relevance and appropriateness for our time; architectural, geographical, socio-cultural and historical context, and originality and uniqueness.
Mural designs are also chosen on the ability of the public to paint it on a wall.
“There are some wonderful works of art out there, but not every work of art is not made for a mural,” Kasting said. “You need to be able to see the design, and know what the design is 50 feet away driving in your car, and also be able to enjoy it while walking down the street.”
The winning design will be chosen over the summer, after which the Johnson County Community Foundation will announce a community painting day. Local residents are invited to come out one weekend to help fill in the colorful work of art — helping create a sense of ownership for all to take part, Kasting said.
“My little girls have participated in most of them, and I know that when they go by them, they always say, ‘I remember painting that,’” she said. “We’re able to create that ownership and take part in that with our community members.”
AT A GLANCE
Color the County Mural Program
What: A program of the Johnson County Community Foundation aimed at improving the cultural fabric of the community through public art. Organizers are looking for local artists, emerging artists, art students and creative community members interested in submitting mural designs for this year’s competition. No previous experience is necessary.
When: Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. May 31
Where: The mural will be painted on the book barn at the Franklin branch of the Johnson County Public Library, 401 S. State St.
How to apply, and more information: Go to www.jccf.org/mural-program to download the entry form and guidelines
