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Mountain Home News
Letter to the Editor

Don’t replace existing Community Canvas murals

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Dear editor --

While enjoying an evening with my family looking at the new murals, we went in search of some of our favorites. When we were unable to find a special one in particular, I took to Facebook to see if I had been mistaken on its location.

This is when I learned the mural had been painted over and replaced with dogs. When I asked why, I was told by Brenda Raub, “The painting was painted over. We always ask for one year. After a year, businesses can have something else painted on their wall.” I was told that The Grooming Peach wanted the mural replaced with the dog mural.

The piece I’m referring to was one the late Veronica Cereceres generously funded and surprised the women of Mountain Home with called Women of Wonder from Elmore County. It was meant to empower the women within our community. To show that even if you come from humble beginnings, you can have everything you ever dreamed of and more! The possibilities are endless.

She wanted to inspire our youth and give them strong examples of women to look up to that lived right here in Elmore County. Veronica wanted them to know that no matter how their story begins, you can always be successful. Veronica was all about bringing people together, and painting over this with zero recognition for her sentiment is the opposite of that.

Disregarding the feelings of the women who were honored in this mural is heartbreaking. It creates division, which isn’t necessary in a small town. We have enough of that going on in the world today.

Our town is made up of a wide variety of amazing people. Small town big pride means something around here. I wish people would be more considerate when making decisions like this and acknowledge what a piece of art means to a community before deciding to paint over it.

It seems to me there’s enough space in our beautiful town to display all the murals. I know there was plenty of room to paint dogs on areas that surrounded the original piece. A compromise could have been made in my opinion.

One of the women honored on the original mural was that of my best friend, Tami Mouser, who has also passed away. I loved seeing her face when I needed a little “Tami Time!” She was a pillar in our community, and her hard work and dedication can still be seen and felt today.

I watched as both incredible women fought a courageous battle with cancer. Their generosity and commitment to their community stayed true until the very end. That is something to be honored and remembered.

Some have suggested simply having the mural recreated and moved. They’re missing the point. Tami’s salon was here. She ran the Backpack Bridge from that very building. Tabitha built her store front and expanded it in the same plaza this mural was painted on. The location wasn’t random.

All these women deserve to be up on that wall for years to come. It’s sad to know it meant that little. This weighed heavily on my heart as well as many others, and this is why I am sharing.

After all, #onetownoneteam, right?

– Melissa Adkins, Mountain Home

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  • While the sentiment behind preserving the “Women of Wonder” mural is deeply understood and appreciated, it’s also important to recognize the rights and needs of local businesses. Here are a few reasons why businesses should be able to change what is on their walls after a year:

    Creative Freedom and Business Identity: Businesses should have the autonomy to express their identity and brand through their premises. The Grooming Peach, for example, chose to replace the mural with one featuring dogs, which aligns more closely with their business theme and clientele. This flexibility allows businesses to keep their environment fresh and relevant to their services.

    Community Engagement: Changing murals periodically can keep the community engaged and excited about new art. It provides opportunities for different artists to showcase their work and for various themes to be explored, reflecting the dynamic nature of the community.

    Respecting Agreements: The agreement to keep a mural for one year before allowing changes is a fair compromise. It ensures that the artwork is appreciated for a significant period while also giving businesses the freedom to update their space. This balance respects both the artists’ contributions and the business owners’ rights.

    Economic Considerations: Businesses need to attract customers and stay competitive. Updating their decor, including murals, can be part of their strategy to remain appealing and relevant. This can be crucial for their survival and success, especially in a small town where every business plays a vital role in the local economy.

    Space Limitations: While it might seem that there is enough space for all murals, practical limitations such as wall space, visibility, and maintenance need to be considered. Businesses must make decisions that best utilize their available space to serve their operational needs and aesthetic preferences.

    Honoring Through Change: The legacy of individuals like Veronica Cereceres and Tami Mouser can still be honored in other meaningful ways. Community events, plaques, or even digital archives can preserve their memory and contributions without necessarily keeping the same mural indefinitely.

    Additionally, supporting local businesses is crucial because they are the backbone of a small community:

    Economic Stability: Local businesses create jobs and contribute to the local economy. When businesses thrive, they generate income that circulates within the community, supporting other local enterprises and services. This economic interdependence helps maintain a stable and prosperous community.

    Personalized Service: Small businesses often provide a level of personalized service that larger chains cannot match. They build relationships with their customers, understand their needs, and offer tailored solutions. This personal touch enhances the quality of life in the community and fosters a sense of belonging.

    Community Character: Local businesses contribute to the unique character and charm of a small town. They reflect the community’s values, culture, and history, making the town a more interesting and vibrant place to live and visit. Supporting these businesses helps preserve the town’s identity and heritage.

    Local Investment: Business owners who live and work in the community are more likely to invest in its future. They support local schools, charities, and events, contributing to the overall well-being and development of the area. By supporting local businesses, residents are also investing in their community’s growth and improvement.

    Environmental Benefits: Local businesses often source their products and services locally, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and lowering the community’s carbon footprint. This practice supports local suppliers and promotes sustainability.

    Innovation and Diversity: Small businesses bring innovation and diversity to the marketplace. They offer unique products and services that cater to the specific needs and preferences of the community. This diversity enriches the local economy and provides residents with more choices.

    In conclusion, supporting local businesses is not just about economic benefits; it’s about nurturing the heart and soul of the community. By allowing businesses the flexibility to change their wall art and adapt to their evolving needs, we can ensure they remain vibrant and successful, ultimately benefiting everyone in the community. While the emotional attachment to the “Women of Wonder” mural is understandable, holding on to a single piece of wall art indefinitely can be seen as anti-community. It prevents the space from evolving and reflecting the dynamic nature of the community. Allowing businesses the flexibility to change their wall art after a year supports their right to evolve and adapt. This approach can foster a vibrant, ever-changing artistic landscape that benefits both the community and local businesses, which, from your post, it sounds like Veronica and Tami would want.

    -- Posted by Lordodson on Wed, Jul 31, 2024, at 9:28 AM
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