MARSHALLTOWN’S MURAL SEASON IS OFFICIALLY COMPLETE

The Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance has officially wrapped up its mural season with the completion of Marshalltown’s Postcard Mural at Thompson True Value and The Starry Night of Marshalltown at Great Western Bank. The Marshalltown Mural program completed a very successful 2021 season installing 16 murals around the community.
 
Amber Danielson, Executive Director of the Arts & Culture Alliance shared, “we couldn’t be more thrilled with the success of the mural program’s second year. It has been exciting to see the vibrancy added throughout our community and to expand our mural portfolio with such a wide-variety of styles from talented local, regional and national artists.” 
 
This week, Des Moines artist Jimmy Navarro completed Marshalltown’s Postcard Mural on the south wall of Thompson True Value. This project was sponsored by the Marshalltown Development Foundation (MDF). MDF hand selected this location as it is the first building to welcome visitors into our downtown. The welcoming mural incorporates landmarks and icons from around the community within the letters of Marshalltown, including the water tower, MHS Roundhouse, Iowa Veterans Home and many more!

Dave Thompson of Thompson True Value shared, “our family has owned our business in downtown Marshalltown for 36 years. Building our new store in the downtown has shown an unwavering commitment and belief in Marshalltown and the downtown. We are very excited to have this beautiful mural painted on our new store as a welcoming entrance to the downtown. The Arts & Culture Alliance took our requests and the artist envisioned them into the mural. The artist, Jimmy, has hit this out of the park and has become a part of the True Value family! We recognize the need for additional art in the downtown and are happy to contribute $5,000 towards sculptures in the downtown.”

Community members and visitors alike will enjoy the Postcard Mural upon entering the historic Marshalltown Central Business District – the heart of where MDF originated 21 years ago – a nod to the true MDF mission that was dedicated to creating, promoting, and funding projects that enhance the appearance and attitude of Marshalltown.

Artists Jimmy Navarro and Katie Jensen shared, “it’s been a great experience for us creating this mural for the City of Marshalltown. Over the last few weeks, we have been treated like family and we are especially proud of this mural. We hope it brings joy, showing the City’s great pride and its history.” 

Additionally, local artists Landaca, Katie and Danielle Czerniewski and Melynda McCord completed their first large-scale mural at Great Western Bank. It has been named The Starry Night of Marshalltown which was inspired by Vinvent Van Gogh's The Starry Night. Marshalltown details were incorporated into the piece including the Marshall County Courthouse, Orpheum, Marshalltown M's and more. In addition, a wing selfie wall was added on the south corner, inviting people to take their picture with the piece.