The Marshall Downtown Development Board has worked to create more beauty in downtown Marshall, finally seeing a mural project planned and hoped for come to fruition on Austin Street in downtown Marshall.
Dinora Harris, with the board, said that the idea to put up more murals around the Marshall downtown area is one the board has had for a long time, exploring other options before they were approached by the new owners of the old News Messenger building at 309 E. Austin St. about doing the project there.
“We are really focused on beautifying our downtown area, and really making the area prettier,” Harris said.
The organization partnered with the City of Marshall, who paid half of the costs to hire local artist Jill Davis to create the mural outside of the building downtown.
The mural, which is still in the works, encompasses both the past and present of Marshall according to Davis, who said she worked with the board and the building owners to choose the color pallet and the theme of the mural itself.
The mural faces the intersection of Austin and Columbus streets in downtown Marshall, where Davis is working on creating a large image spelling out the word Marshall, with each letter encompassing different imagery that represents the town.
The Marshall Depot and history of the train industry in Marshall is represented, along with Marshall ISD, Caddo Lake and much more, all coming together in a cohesive piece of art.
“I am very happy with the way everyone’s collaboration has come together to really demonstrate what Marshall is all about,” Davis said.
The mural project will be unveiled along with other renovations to the building by Matis Productions in May, when the company is planning a grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration.
Harris added that the board hoped to see this mural be one of many funded through the organization and put up in the Marshall area.