Western Illinois University Art Professor Creating Anniversary Mural
As part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Macomb Beautiful Association (MBA) a 66-foot mural will be painted on the north wall of Gelsosomo’s Pizza, with an unveiling planned for June 2022.
The artwork, which will be 12 feet tall, will be painted by WIU Art Professor William “Bill” Howard, who, along with other current and former art faculty and students, completed a mural on the north side of The Old Dairy in June 2019 to portray the community’s history.
“The response to the mural at the Old Dairy was so positive, it seemed natural to create another,” Howard said. “I’m very excited and honored to design and complete this mural project for the Macomb Beautiful Association. This group is very motivated to give Macomb a piece of public art we can all be proud of, and I believe we’ve come up with a concept that truly reflects the essence of our beautiful community, and its many talented residents. Though the scope of this project is challenging, its already proving to be very rewarding.”
The mural location is at the intersection of U.S. Routes 67 and 136.
The MBA has been planning the effort as a way to say thank you in a “visually spectacular way” to the hundreds of members and businesses of the city who have supported the organization for the past 50 years. The MBA was formed in 1972 for the sole purpose of beautifying Macomb.
“In 2019, MBA members chose to present a mural, painted by WIU Art Department Professor Bill Howard, as a gift to the community,” said MBA President Barb Knox. “Jim and Amy Buwick then generously offered Gelsosomo’s as the site of the mural.”
The MBA’s 50th anniversary planning committee launched a fundraising campaign for the project March 1. Those interested in donating, or seeking more information about the project, can contact the MBA at (309) 837-6427 or email MacombBeautiful@gmail.com.
