A recent ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of an interactive mural at 18th and Broadway, the east side of 1808 Broadway Ave.
On Oct. 15, representatives from the City of Parsons, the Parsons Chamber of Commerce, the Parsons Public Library, the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity, the Community Development Corporation, and other community members gathered to celebrate the mural and the restoration of the building on which it is painted.
The mural was painted by Chanute artist Gage Guiot, who said this has been his largest project to date.
“I love it, I had a lot of fun doing it,” Guiot said. While enjoyable, Guiot noted that there were “hiccups” in the process due to the frequent rain received earlier this year.
He said his favorite part of the painting process was speaking with passersby.
“Then obviously the end result, the sense of accomplishment, is always nice,” Guiot said.
The mural features a large white square where movies can be projected. It also details vintage cars, a railroad, and a telecommunications pole featuring an Evergy logo, who contributed funds to the project. A blank marquee on the mural can be painted and repainted to advertise the next upcoming film.
The Parsons Public Library will manage obtaining film licenses, operating a concessions stand, and advertising the movie in conjunction with the city.
“We’re just very excited to be a part of this,” Library Director Samantha Graven said. “We think this is a wonderful event to be able to invite the community out and enjoy it together.”
Trisha Purdon, director of the Office of Rural Prosperity, said the renovation of the building has been one of her favorite projects she has been a part of.
The total renovation has led to two new businesses: The Katy Antiques and Cherry On Top, an ice cream parlor.
“It’s one of our largest projects, but they completed it in record time,” Purdon said. “Mostly with sweat equity and their own time, their own labor. They really thought outside of the box when they put the whole building together.”
The building is owned by the Community Development Corporation. According to Director of Economic Development Jim Zalenski, their ownership makes the renovation process smoother than traditional city-owned buildings.
Of the mural, Purdon said she loves it. “It’s creating such a sense of place for the community to gather. It’s a perfect idea to bring the whole community together, downtown,” Purdon said.
In addition to the mural being an asset for community gathering, Zalenski highlighted that they are in the process of remodeling the final building in the downtown district.
“There’s not many towns in the entire state that can say that, and I want to thank the CDC for letting us do that with them,” Zalenski said just before the ribbon cutting.
City of Parsons Community Development Director Laura Moore cut the ribbon during the ceremony and said the mural will be a useful community asset.
Mayor Verlyn Bolinger agreed that it is a good addition to downtown.
“It’s a great addition to downtown; the artist did a great job,” Bolinger said.
He noted that he is also looking forward to the completion of the final restored building, and said he hopes it will house a retail business.
“I’ve been all across the region and I’ve never seen so many groups of people come together to make something so cool happen,” City Manager Jeff Cantrell said. “As a downtown resident, I plan on being here as often as I possibly can.”
The first Movie on Broadway will be “Night at the Museum,” which will show on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. Concession sales begin at 6 p.m. Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs to sit in during the film. For more information on future films, contact the Parsons Public Library or visit https://www. facebook.com/parsonspubliclibrary.
