via Southern Indiana Business Report

WASHINGTON – A new mural in downtown Washington is just the beginning of a larger project to beautify an alley that connects to The Commons, the city’s open air market and music venue that was completed in 2024.

A wall that was covered in graffiti was painted over by volunteers last week and in its place a community quilt mural was created.

The initiative was led by Discover Downtown Washington in partnership with the Daviess County Arts & Culture Alliance. The groups secured sponsorships from local businesses and recruited volunteers to create the paint-by-numbers mural, which is on the outside wall of the Stitching Post.

The alley beautification project will build on the momentum of The Commons, a $3.2 million project that has brought new life to downtown Washington. The Commons regularly hosts a farmers market and has also featured live music and food trucks.

The Daviess County Arts & Culture Alliance took root in 2024 when members attended the Indiana Arts Commission’s Creative Convergence conference. The experience, paired with a $10,000 grant, sparked the inception of the group and the first conversations about how to bring more arts-driven projects to the community.

Since then, the Alliance has supplied local schools with art display racks and supplies, created a county-wide coloring book hand-drawn by local artists and supported artist fees for the town of Montgomery mural. The community quilt mural will be the final project of the year.

“September is National Sewing Month, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by stitching our community together through art,” said Brandy Weiland, Discover Downtown Washington’s executive director. “This project shows how creativity can turn challenges into opportunities, while giving everyone in the community a chance to take part.”

“This mural isn’t just about covering a wall – it’s about weaving together the stories, hands, and talents of our community,” added Lori Morton, lead artist on the project, and member of the Alliance. “When people walk by this artwork, we hope they’ll see themselves reflected in the quilt of Washington.”

The project has been planned in phases:

  • Phase 1: With help from Bruce Croak at Superior Window Cleaning and Cub Scouts Troop 410, the wall was power-washed, primed, and painted with a base coat.
  • Phase 2: Local artists outlined a quilt-inspired design that reflects community pride.
  • Phase 3: Community members are invited to pick up a brush and paint a piece of the mural, contributing directly to this lasting piece of public art.
  • Phase 4: Alliance members will add final touches and a border around the mural and phrase “A Community Stitched Together” by local artist Rob Bartlett.

For more information, contact Brandy Weiland at office@discoverdowntownwashington.com or visit www.discoverdowntownwashington.com.