Frankfort, KY - In the world of art, no canvas is too big or at least that's the way a group of elementary school students from Frankfort see it. This summer the budding artists have been granted a wish sought by many a great painter; a quarter of a mile long slate in which to apply their talents.
Through the collective efforts of Sherwin Williams Paint, R.J. Corman Railroad, the Frankfort Tourism Commission, local art teacher Jennifer Zingg and more than two dozen student artists, the railroad trestle located on Broadway in the main part of the city is getting a mural as a paint job that as one student said, will rival the Capitol and local museums in attraction status.
Zingg who teaches art at Good Shepherd School also operates a studio where she has taught after-school art classes for about three years. It was in the studio she met Sarah Easton, an architectural design specialist from Sherwin Williams, who observed the class and told Zingg the company would like to sponsor a large-scale children's project. A year prior to that Joy Jeffries, executive director of the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourism Commission mentioned the railroad wall to her as a good site for a painting. "We were having a casual conversation about beautification in Frankfort (when Jeffries) said the wall was down there screaming to have something painted on it," said Zingg.
"Now, that is really a big wall so, logistically, financing it was a big problem." The idea would remain just that until Evans walked into the art studio providing a financial solution.
"Sherwin-Williams understands that being a part of a community involves more than just being there and we're glad to be a part of this effort," said Eaton.
All that was left to do was gain permission from the railroad company. Corman was very open to the idea and quickly granted the go ahead said Zingg. The only request he had was that the mural contain a train.
And so it began, actually starting last fall when the local volunteer organizing group GO Frankfort rallied adult helpers to paint the primer and base coat of white for the mural which depicts a rolling hills setting complete with horses and a train moving through the countryside.
"This is a perfect example of the major beautification efforts in Frankfort; an exhibit of public, private, and corporate cooperation to truly make something happen," said Jeffries. "This could never have been done without our marketing director, Robin Antenucci representing the public interest; Jennifer Zingg, R.J. Corman, and Sherwin Williams representing the corporate world, and all children and adult volunteers, representing the private sector - they all came together and it is beautiful! This is a visual project that is bringing synergy to the overall beautification efforts in our city and county."
While getting the project up and running has been a model collaborative effort between those public, private and corporate entities, at the heart of the initiative has been the children.
"Some of the kids don't get art in school so much anymore so they come here after school and they are very into it and very creative," said Zingg. "When this is finished it will be a beautiful part of downtown and most importantly, the students have been able to do this. I'm really proud of it and they are too."
While the design was done by her, the painting itself is a project of the students who began their work this summer. Zingg has taken a small group of them to the bridge each day when the weather has allowed and to date, more than 30 kids have been involved. While many of those are regulars at the studio and are participating in the project as part of Zingg's annual art camp, the rest are either their friends or are new to the project who just wanted to be involved.
Completion of the mural will not actually occur until next year when phase two of the venture will take place. The trestle wall is divided into two sections as Wilkinson Boulevard intersects the structure through an underpass and of course it has two sides. More adult volunteers recently worked to get the base coat complete on the other side and the painting is expected to be finished next summer if all goes according to plan. Zingg said that not only has the project taught the children a work ethic, it has taught them not to be unsettled by such a vast undertaking.
"I think some of them get there and feel intimidated by the size of the wall but by the end of the week, they feel pretty good about it. I haven't had any drop out, they just keep coming. They love it," she said. "They have learned that things that are really great don't come easy. There is work and stamina involved. You have to be able to endure something in order to get somewhere and they are learning that through this. They are making their community a better place."
Zingg added that she thinks it's important for children to learn these things at an early age. "They need to be involved in their communities and have a sense of pride in their communities and that is not just something that happens. You have to instill that in kids," she said.
Zingg also said that as art education becomes less available to children as they get older, its role becomes even more important at an early age. "Art is teaching these kids to problem solve. It's critical thinking but it's on their terms. They come up with an idea, and then they implement that idea. Then it becomes something," she said. "If you think about the confidence it instills in children, to have an idea and share it with others, that's what art is and it crosses over into other areas of learning."
Skyler Sudduth is a six grade student at Good Shepherd and said the attention people have shown toward the painting project has been very positive and this will be something to remember for a long time.
"A lot of people who are driving by say it looks so good and that we are doing a great job," she said. "That makes me feel good about myself. I think I will have fond memories of this and it's something I can show my children and grandchildren."
Shay Locke is a fifth grade student at Bridgeport Elementary said she saw the wall being painted and wanted to be a part of the project.
"I think the neatest thing about it is we are doing something for Frankfort and the wall. We are getting the message across that we need to keep things around us decorated," she said.
Veronica Jaminet, a 12 year old home-school student is new to the project and found out about it through the Internet.
"I like when I'm working on it and someone I know drives by and they say 'Wow, that's cool.' I'm just glad to be a part of it," she said.
It stands to reason that the mural will serve as a true piece of artwork to be seen for years in the capital city and a reminder of how important art can be not only to a community but to its youngest citizens.
"The thing about art is the experience and the process. The kids will be able to drive by for 15 years and say 'hey, I remember the summer of 2010 when we painted that mural'," said Zingg.