Rural Missouri - August 2020 - 32

about half the triangles painted and ready for completion
"It's a great model for the best the bicentennial has to
by the bicentennial. However, COVID-19 has brought the
offer," says Michael Sweeny, Missouri State Bicentennial
project not to a complete halt, but a considerable slowcoordinator. "It enables so many people to get involved in
down. The mural's home when it's not traveling - The
a common endeavor all across the state. It has the capacPainted Wren Art Gallery - closed for a few months
ity to bring in so many people. That is the best
thing that can come out of this bicentennial.
along with event cancellations across the state.
"We had so many school visits and events planned
Plus, it will endure in Jefferson City well past
Aug. 10, 2021."
that we were really on a roll," Barb says. "But then
That inclusivity brings in a wide swath of peoeverything just stopped."
ple. "Little babies have painted holding the brush
The Cape Girardeau art gallery is back open
and their parents moving their hand and we've
and Missourians who have yet to paint a triangle
Cape
had people in their 90s do it," Aaron says. "We've
are encouraged to stop by and paint a piece of
Girardeau
had people with muscular dystrophy paint and
history. Taking the panels across the Show-Me
we've had a legally blind person paint a triangle.
State is no small undertaking, both in effort and
Barb and I are pretty adept at talking you through
ﬁnancially. The project is still seeking sponsors to
painting it, holding your hand and doing it. Anyone and
help offset those costs as well as selling metal prints of one
everyone can paint one triangle."
of Aaron's painting, baseball hats and commemorative buttons featuring the state symbols displayed on the mural.
That one triangle is all you get, however. "The governor
of the state of Missouri just got one triangle like everyone
Aaron says when the project is completed, it will be a
else," Aaron says with a laugh.
point of pride for the artists and contributors. "We're two
Barb says meeting so many Missourians from so many
Best of Missouri Hands Artists painting a record-setting
different walks of life has been a blessing. "For me, I've
mural just using other peoples' hands."
enjoyed seeing and knowing that there are lots of nice
people in Missouri," she says. "We have met so many great
To learn more about the Missouri Bicentennial Paint for a
people that have been excited about this project."
Cause visit www.mo2021mural.org, www.facebook.com/
In early March, the project was humming along with
MissouriBicentennialPaintForACause or call 573-579-1000.

Top: The bicentennial mural features state symbols and the state ﬂag. Above left: The details of the head of a three-toed box turtle - the state
reptile - show the intricacies in the mural. Above right: Barb and Aaron show a partially ﬁnished portion of the mural.

RURAL MISSOURI | AUGUST 2020

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Rural Missouri - August 2020

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