Spotlight FRONT’n About

Dan Smith

NRCC students brighten up downtown Pulaski >

Art students at New River Community College were recently involved in a special community outdoor mural painting project. Under the guidance of NRCC art professor Tammy Parks, students spent eight days working on the bright, imaginative forest mural that covers a large portion of an outdoor brick wall in downtown Pulaski. Parks incorporated the mural project into her students’ curriculum for the fall semester. Through their work, students have learned the process of mural painting from preparation to design to installation. Parks’ two-dimensional design, threedimensional design, and painting classes all worked on the project. “It allows us to really concentrate on contrast and composition,” said Parks.

Through the art project, students have had the opportunity to not only visit the downtown Pulaski area but also to get to know and collaborate with some community volunteers. “Students thrive when they are placed out in the community,” said Parks. Community members will also have the chance to get involved in painting. The mural can be viewed off Main Street in Pulaski at the Count’s Crossing pocket park. Funding for the project was provided through a state grant obtained by the Pulaski On Main organization, where Parks is also a volunteer.

Submitted photos

Chipping away at vacant properties >

The vacancy rate in southeast Roanoke City was at 17 percent last month. The non-profit Restoration Housing has been slowly chipping at that number and in November a second blighted southeast home more than 120 years old on Dale Avenue cut the ribbon after 11 months of repair and remodeling. Mary Beth Mills is with Restoration Housing: “this house was in a state of severe disrepair when we acquired it about two years ago. It had been vacant for six years and during that time a hole in the roof had basically destroyed the first and second story floor systems.” Restoration Housing has another southeast Roanoke project underway on Stuart Avenue. “We hope that this will inspire citizens to get a house, to know that [other] people are making investments. I’m especially proud that we’re here in Southeast [Roanoke City],” said Mayor Sherman Lea Sr. after he helped cut the ribbon. The Dale Avenue restoration cost about $400,000; much of that will be recouped with tax credits and grants. It will be rented at an affordable rate to a family of Afghan refugees.