Chrissy Robertson’s design for a mural on the book barn at the Franklin branch of the Johnson County Public Library. The mural is part of the Color the County program through the Johnson County Community Foundation, with the community coming together to paint it on Aug. 5
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The nondescript building on the south side of Franklin will soon come alive with brilliant color.
Wall-sized book spines are envisioned on two sides of the Johnson County Public Library’s book barn in Franklin, leading up to the stylized lettering of that classic fairy tale ending: “And they lived happily ever after.”
Joining the imagery is a feverishly fantastic world of cubes and characters portraying all that reading can be.
Together, the designs will make up Johnson County’s newest community-based mural.
The Johnson County Community Foundation announced the winners of this year’s Color the County mural contest, choosing two artists with color visions and striking imagery. Designs by Gabriel Yaden and Chrissy Robertson were picked to adorn the book barn at the Franklin branch of the Johnson County Public Library.
Their two designs move in different directions — Robertson with a literary theme born out of vivid pinks, oranges and blues offset by a deep blue background, Yaden’s a fun and funky geometric world.
Committee members loved the qualities each design brought — both the appropriateness for the space as well as the artistic quality, said Kim Kasting, vice president of development for the community foundation.
“Chrissy’s design can be interactive for community members and a great spot for photo opportunities. Also, books provide so many of us with the ‘Happily Ever After,’” she said. “Gabriel’s design is not something we expect to see in Franklin and it really grabs and holds your attention. The more you look at the design the more elements of the design you discover. Much like the library with all its resources beyond paperback books.”
The story behind the mural is certainly a tribute to a longtime part of the Johnson County Public Library family.
For years, Amy Kitchen had thought about painting a mural on the Franklin branch’s book barn. She had a passion for design and art, and served as the library system’s graphic designer for 33 years.
Together, she and her friend, Merilee Allen, the Friends of JCPL book sale coordinator, asked for the mural together in the fall of 2021. Library administrators reached out to the Johnson County Community Foundation about their Color the County program.
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.
Both the community foundation and the library system agreed to work together on getting a mural on the book barn, realizing Kitchen’s initial vision of “destination photo spot” with art to draw in locals and tourists, welcoming people and encouraging exploration of the area.
Unfortunately, Kitchen died in 2022. But all involved are excited to see her idea come to fruition.
“We are so grateful for the opportunity to make Amy’s dream come true. We think she would have been over the moon with delight at the designs selected,” said Lisa Lintner, director of the Johnson County Public Library.
A callout for the mural design was made in May, and from the submitted designs, a community foundation committee chose Robertson’s and Yaden’s work.
Robertson is a graduate of Herron School of Art and Design and works as a creative professional. In 2018 she co-founded Creative Council of Franklin, a non-profit organization focused on promoting the arts and engaging the community through various art events.
For her contributions to the arts, Robertson was appointed by Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett, to serve on the Franklin Public Art Advisory Commission. She has also served on the board of the Friends of the Johnson County Library for the last six years, four of which she acted as president.
Robertson’s “Happily Ever After” design was perfectly suited for a library-centric mural, said mural committee member Dave Windisch.
“It has great visibility and speaks to the location. It also has a nice bright palate and has interactive elements for the community to get pictures in front of and become an icon for the area,” he said.
Yaden is an international award-winning figurative painter from downtown Franklin. He attended Herron School of Art and Design, Franklin College and The Art Department where he studied studio art and illustration. Much of his work can be seen throughout downtown Franklin.
His design was something outside the realm of other public art in Franklin and around the county, Windisch said.
“This was the type of piece I’d see in a metropolitan area. One that folks — myself included — would stop and U-turn for just to get a second, or third look at it,” he said. “Its details tell more of a story the more you engage with it. Just like the library itself, it offers up so much more than what is expected.”
Both Robertson’s and Yaden’s designs will come to life, with the help of the public, during a community painting day on Aug. 5. People of all ages and abilities are invited to come out and help get the murals on the walls.
IF YOU GO
Paint Your Town! Franklin
What: A community painting day encouraging the public to come together and create a mural designed by artists Chrissy Robertson and Gabriel Yaden. The mural is part of the Color the County program, through the Johnson County Community Foundation.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 5
Where: Book Barn of the Franklin branch of the Johnson County Public Library
Who can take part: The event is open to all; no artistic ability is necessary.
Participants will receive supplies, water and snacks. Kids will get free coloring books and paint sets, and activities will be set up for them.
Information: jccf.org
