Windom unveils Main Street mural celebrating local traditions
Collaborative art project highlights town's identity as the 'Covered Dish Capital'
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WINDOM, Kan. — About 50 people gathered Monday evening to celebrate the unveiling of a new community mural along Main Street in Windom.
The mural was created through a partnership between the Windom Beautification Committee, artist and Little River art teacher Kaycee Sutter, 50 area students, local businesses and community volunteers.
The Windom Beautification Committee began working with Sutter in January, sharing ideas about the community and what the mural should represent. Sutter developed two concepts based on that input, and committee members selected the design that now appears along Main Street.
The mural’s theme centers on what feeds or sustains people and communities. Windom prides itself on being the Covered Dish Capital, and the community’s long tradition of gathering around shared food helped inspire the concept. The artwork reflects many forms of sustenance, including food, agriculture, nature, relationships and community traditions.
Sutter guided 50 students as they helped paint the mural’s individual panels during the spring.
“This project is the result of hundreds of hours of work,” said Lori Bower, a member of the Windom Beautification Committee. “So many people contributed their ideas, time, skills and resources. It is a piece we can be proud of for many years to come.”
The Windom Beautification Committee partnered with USD 444 to apply for and administer an Arts Everywhere grant from the Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The mural is displayed on property owned by John Ratzlaff, who allowed the artwork to be installed there.
Dylan Baldwin and Fab Works of Inman fabricated and donated the metal frames that hold the mural panels. Les and Zack Toews installed the frames. Jim Nelson, Dave Surface and Ian Bower painted them, and members of the Bower family installed the completed mural panels.
The artwork also includes familiar details from Windom life, including a likeness of Fleabag, the town's well-known cat. One of the evening’s favorite moments came near the end of the event, when local business owner Tim Bower brought Fleabag up to the mural to see his painted likeness. Fleabag paused in front of the panel as though admiring the tribute.
Following the unveiling and a community photo, attendees gathered at the Windom Community Center for the town’s monthly covered-dish dinner.
The Windom Beautification Committee thanked Sutter, the participating students, Ratzlaff, Fab Works, the installers, painters, volunteers, grant partners and everyone who attended the celebration.
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