Help Fund A Mural at Wesselman Woods!
Bringing more arts and humanities to Wesselman Woods has been a major goal for current staff members. The connections between art and nature are numerous! So, after the introduction of our juried art exhibition, an upcoming poetry contest, and various opportunities for nature journaling, we wondered what we could tackle next.
Since the closure of the recycling center in 2020, the space has turned into a much-needed storage facility. The addition of garage doors on the building made for a true blank slate.
On a whim, Princeton artist Mya Hatfield reached out to us about opportunities to paint murals at Wesselman Woods and met with us to brainstorm. After deciding that the former recycling center would make the best canvas, Mya got to work on a mockup of what she envisions for the space.
We were stunned.
A mockup of the mural by Mya Hatfield
Her proposed piece beautifully encapsulates so many aspects of the native flora and fauna that make this nature preserve so special. We think this would make for an excellent location for the community to take selfies and senior photos but it will also add more value to Wesselman Woods as a tourist destination.
By investing in this mural, we hope the community feels a sense of pride and ownership in the piece, as well! Consider donating today and help us make this dream a reality. Any amount will make a difference.
The project will begin when the GoFundMe is fully funded. These funds will go toward supplies and paying the artist for this project.
Our artist expects the project to take about 5-6 weeks to have everything done, weather permitting. The paint she uses is UV-resistant and the mural with be sealed with varnish.
Mya Hatfield is an acrylic painter from Princeton, Indiana working in a blend of realism and impressionism. She began art as a young girl sketching a bit of everything around her and has continued this practice through much of her life, in different mediums.
Now, turning to subjects found in nature, she hones into moments that may be overlooked and pushes viewers to focus on beauty found in the mundane.
"I would like to feature my art at Wesselman Woods as it is a spectacular space to enjoy many of the best pieces of Indiana nature. Highlighting some of the daily scenery will hopefully inspire visitors to look through the trees at the curious creatures around us and take a peek into their everyday lives inside the woods."
You can see more of Mya's work on her website.