Art Community Welcomes 20 Mini Murals to Put Local Artists in the Spotlight

Is it a bird? Is it a cat? Is it an octopus? Actually, it’s all three! The next time you take a trip downtown, you might catch a glimpse of a mini mural painted on the once barren walls of the bars and shops populating the Oshkosh metropolitan area. In late June, 20 assorted murals created by local artists were made into vinyl and scattered in various areas, free to be admired by the public, and safely at that. 

Photo by Isabelle Cartwright

Reagan Mulvey's mural, "Dappled View", is displayed on the Carl M. Hennig Inc. building on North Main Street. Mulvey chose a vibrant Midwestern landscape for her painting.

Raegan Mulvey, an artist who can be found studying at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, painted a mural named “Dappled View” and thinks the project was a great step for the art community. 

“The Mini Mural Project is really unique to this area and living in Milwaukee, there are a lot of public arts,” she said. “I grew up in Neenah, so I’m kind of aware that in the Fox Valley, although we’re starting to get more murals and public art, it’s still something that’s emerging. I really appreciate getting to contribute to that space.”

It’s not hard to imagine that the Fox Valley’s art community isn’t as highly showcased as other parts of Wisconsin. The art community in Oshkosh involves not only artists like Mulvey, but also students at West like sophomore Trinity Funnel, a student in Drawing and Painting who heard about the project and is glad local artists are being represented.

“I think it is excellent that they are showcasing local artist’s styles,” she said. “I think it’ll be very inspirational for younger generations and aspiring artists.”

Photo by Isabelle Cartwright

Michael Gelhar showcased his artistic talents by drawing a portrait of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Found on the House of Heroes building, Gelhar wanted his mural to capture the friendship the two men have.

The murals of the project come in a wide variety of mediums, styles, and most noticeably subjects. Contrary to the plethora of painted birds and the beautiful landscape that Mulvey provided, artist Mike Gelhar went for a portrait route with his work.

 “I drew the mural of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen in graphite pencil because I heard of the Mini Murals Project and I like doing portraits, so I thought of doing something kind of fun,” he said.  “I want those who see my mural to feel kind of the goofy friendship they have as they look at it and with the faces they’re making.”

Despite the diverse and colorful touches that the project added to downtown Oshkosh, much of the population isn’t aware that it even happened. West art teacher Jason Ryf believes that Oshkosh could’ve shone more light on the project. 

“I think the project was really good, but I don’t think it was as highly publicized as it could have been,” he said. “Hopefully because this is the first year, it’ll turn into a bigger deal, but of course anything that promotes the arts is great, but I wish it would get promoted even more.”

Photo by Isabelle Cartwright

Jessica Lomena painted a watercolor mural of an octopus and incorporated the Oshkosh on the Water symbol in the tentacles. Located by the Ruby Owl Tap Room, Lomena wanted to give her piece an Oshkosh-inspired touch.

Even though the murals didn’t get the attention they deserved, there is still hope that they will be publicized more in years to come. Senior Hailey Weickert believes that it was a good baby step.

“I think the project is cool and that it helps showcase the people in the art community more in Oshkosh which is good,” she said. 

Another artist, Jessica Lomena, who painted a watercolor mural named “Oshkosh Octopus,” was excited to showcase her Oshkosh-inspired style of art in the community. Her piece can be found near the Ruby Owl Tap Room on 421 North Main. 

“Typically what I try doing when I do community things is I think of a design that can have some type of a circle in it because I like to incorporate the Oshkosh on the Water sign,” she said. “It’s something that I do because it’s noticeable and kind of to rep our city.”

This is the first year mini murals have been showcased around Oshkosh, which just so happens to be the year of COVID-19. In a time with so much uncertainty, fear, and confusion, people of all sorts lost and gained parts of their lives to the deadly virus. Some of these people were the very teachers of the art department. 

Photo by Isabelle Cartwright

“When school closed down in the spring, being a ceramics teacher, all my materials and wheels and kilns and glazes were all at school and the teachers couldn’t even come in to use that stuff,” Ryf said.

While the Mini Mural Project was on its way to being showcased in June, art within schools became increasingly difficult due to the pandemic’s effect in the months before it. Drawing and Painting teacher Linda Geffers was disappointed by the closing of Oshkosh schools due to COVID-19. 

“For us at school, the pandemic really affected us art teachers because we couldn’t have an art show,” she said. “We couldn’t showcase all of the awesome creativity and talent that our students have and that was really hard for me.”

For owners of businesses large or small, or anyone whose work involves public interaction, the pandemic has created more than enough challenges of all sizes upon them. One of these owners is Lomena herself. 

“The art I do, I actually run a small business with Jlo Watercolor and I also do other things: I’m an ESL teacher as well, but since the pandemic I’ve been trying to make my art more of a business,” she said. 

Photo by Isabelle Cartwright

For many, the pandemic has provided more free time, and according to Mulvey, more artists than just Lomena have been using it as an opportunity to thrive. 

“There are a lot of artists I know too that are using the pandemic as a jumpstart for their artistic practice,” she said. “It’s bringing out a lot of political and social issues and touching a lot of different areas of our lives in a very obvious way that artists are able to pull from because we’re all experiencing it together.”

For many, both the artists of the Mini Murals Project and other members of the Oshkosh art community, art is more than just a hobby. Those who consider art as a part of their lives, like Funnell, have had different experiences with COVID-19. 

“For artists that do more personal work, if they’re trying to send a message, this pandemic has probably provided more inspiration for their art,” she said. 

As mentioned, art can be much more to people than just a hobby. It can provide something different or meaningful for those who may be struggling. 

“I definitely, whether pandemic or not, recommend people trying art if they are feeling lonely or dealing with stress or anxiety or anything like that,” Lomena said. “I’ve always said, I love art but I’m not an artist, and then I decided to ignore that voice and just try stuff and I’ve gotten better over the years.”

Photo by Isabelle Cartwright

Artists, teachers, and students all over Oshkosh agree that art has many benefits beyond something to fill the time, including stress relief, a common issue for many. 

“I think for a lot of people, and me personally, art gives me a break throughout the day and helps me release stress. I think it’s relaxing and fun to do and it helps with creativity,” Weickert said.

It’s not a secret that art can have therapeutic properties, which is all the more reason to have it displayed around the streets of Oshkosh. Art’s uses aren’t confined to artists only, but anybody who indulges in its creativity. 

“I think it’s a really great outlet because you can express yourself in any medium you want and no one’s there judging you so it’s just a personal exploration of yourself and your abilities,” Funnell said. 

Creativity is one of the most important parts of art, and there is no lack of it in the work created and displayed by the Mini Murals Project. Ryf dives into another layer of art, and how it can tell a story. 

Photo by Isabelle Cartwright

“It lets people start to figure out who they are and communicate ideas that maybe they can’t put verbally or express big ideas that they maybe can’t explain but can in a picture,” he said. 

In every mural that was printed, there is a different story to pull out of the paint, pencil, and color on the walls of downtown Oshkosh. Art has a different meaning and benefit for everyone, including the artists of the project like Gelhar, who seem to agree that art can facilitate relief in the mind and awaken it in other ways. 

“For me it’s that once you start working on a picture, it’s very relaxing, and it can calm you down and help you zone out, for me it’s like a form of meditation,” he said. 

Stress relief, self-expression, identity, communication, a hobby, a class, and more - alll ways to describe art. The Mini Mural Project may inspire those who doubt themselves when it comes to imagination or creativity, but Mulvey wants all people, whether a part of the art community or not, to know that anyone can be an artist if they put their mind to it. 

“It doesn’t matter if your art looks good or bad. Just do it for yourself, find a creative outlet that you like,” she said, “If you’re not good at painting there’s also a lot of other things like print-making, industrial design, graphic design, architecture. Even if the first thing you try doesn’t click with you, just get out there and experience creativity.”

By Paige Helfrich

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue 2

October 30th 2020