Historic integrity a consideration for downtown art

As downtown stakeholders review potential public art projects to beautify the downtown Union Square district, the historical integrity of the Square is a central consideration.

The downtown district was established during Union County’s boom in population growth that occurred in the 1920’s after oil was discovered in the region.

The district includes 68 buildings constructed in the early 20th Century, with the architectural styles of the day still showcased today.

Main Street El Dorado (MSE), the El Dorado Historic District Commission (EHDC) and a public committee formed to consider public art projects for the downtown area have zeroed in on murals and crosswalk art as the best ideas to cultivate the district’s culture.

Potential mural sites that have emerged in the groups’ discussions include the brick wall that adjoins Hill’s Recreation Parlor, 203 E. Cedar, a brick wall that divides the north wall of the Masonic Temple and the Mahony parking lot in the 100 block of South Washington and the west, exterior wall of the building that formerly housed Larry’s Rexall Pharmacy at 203 E. Elm.

However, rehabilitating or highlighting some of the existing art downtown is also on the table.

Murals and ghost signs

Referring to potential sites for the murals, EHDC Executive Director Elizabeth Eggleston and historic district Commissioner Diane Murfee noted that there is an existing ghost sign on the west wall of the former Larry’s Rexall building.

Ghost signs are old advertising signs that were typically painted on the sides of buildings and preserved.

“Is there anything left of the sign on the Larry’s Rexall building?” Murfee asked.

“It’s pretty faded,” Eggleston replied.

Murfee suggested that the committee consider restoring the existing sign before pursuing projects for new murals.

Main Street is also launching a project to refresh and update a wall sign that welcomes visitors to downtown El Dorado from the West Main Street approach.

The sign, which reads “Welcome to historic downtown El Dorado”, is on the west wall of the building that houses Main Street Antiques, 112 W. Main.

“There’s already a mural on the side of that building. We’re looking at updating that sign because it’s faded and hard to see,” Beth Brumley, executive director of MSE, said.

Also under consideration is adding uplighting to illuminate the sign after dark and repainting the sign to reflect the new MSE logo.

Brumley said a bid for the project came in just under $5,000, which excludes the uplighting.

Other issues have arisen regarding the potential sites for new murals.

Historic district commissioners have noted that the brick walls on Cedar and Washington were interior walls and they have been damaged due to long-term exposure to outdoor elements.

Commissioners have expressed concern about the condition of the bricks and the potential for further damage with an art project.

“It’s kind of becoming a safety hazard,” Commissioner Ann Trimble said of the South Washington wall.

Eggleston said there could be some grant funds available to address the issue, noting that priority is given to projects that pose safety concerns.

She noted instances in which vacant, downtown buildings collapsed in Morrilton and West Helena due to neglect and decay.

The group is working with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program on ideas for the best way to address the bricks, including removal, coating and painting.

Eggleston and Brumley said there are also questions about ownership of the South Washington property.

Eggleston and Murfee reiterated that they favored restoration before starting new art projects within the commercial historic district.

Commissioner Linda Rathbun referred to ghost signs and expressed concern that attempts at restoration could significantly alter existing images.

Rathbun and Commissioner Ann Trimble said the groups could explore options in which “old concepts meet new concepts with fun ideas.”

“I think it would be really great to restore those buildings and add new murals to downtown, not on historic buildings or bricks … I think we need to enliven it more and think there’s a way of combining those projects and bringing new, artistic ideas,” Trimble said.

Brumley said Main Street hopes to complete the crosswalk-art project this year, noting that plans have slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Originally, we wanted it done by September for (Airstreams on Main) and MusicFest but everything came to a screeching halt,” Brumley said, adding that Main Street will focus on the other proposed public art projects in 2021.

“Funding is also an issue. We’re not reaching out to companies because the economy is skewed right now,” she said.

Ambient sound and projection systems are also downtown projects that Main Street is considering.