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Jon Murrill
Public art as culture >
Neighbors, volunteers and greenway users attended a public celebration for three new murals located in Roanoke’s southeast portion of the Roanoke River Greenway in late October. Local artist Jon Murrill created the large public works with help from Patrick Henry High School students - where Murrill is an art teacher: “I think it’s great for my students, they have the opportunity to participate and get out of their comfort zone and enjoy a little bit of art out in the wide world - and the environment we have here in Roanoke - whether it’s in the city or on the greenway.” Local residents from the "I Heart SE" community group also pitched in to paint the public murals under the 13th St and 9th SE bridges.
“I find that murals add that extra edge of culture to our area, a great way for us to not only show love aesthetically but to give back to our community a bit,” says Murrill (murrillart.com). A Roanoke Arts Commission grant funded Murrill’s greenway projects; he also does private works for local businesses, including one coming up for Well Hung Vineyard in downtown Roanoke.
Gene Marrano
GoFest draws outdoor enthusiasts, new businesses >
The Roanoke Outside Festival – GoFest – drew tens of thousands to downtown Roanoke over 3 days last month to see outdoor gear suppliers, BMX bike stunt riders, lumberjack shows, live music - and the first Wombat Camper, a Roanoke startup which manufactures small, overland-style camper trailers, which unveiled its first production model at the Roanoke Go Outside Festival. A prototype was displayed at a previous GoFest. Julie Meilak is the company’s co-owner with husband Brad; they are working with Roanoke companies Lift Arc Studios and TxTur to build the $75,000 Wombat.
Julie Meilak said they hoped to draw interest from some of the 30,000 plus people that were expected to attend GoFest in downtown Roanoke for the high-end Wombat, which has a queen-size bed, a “wet” bathroom, a shower and an indoor-outdoor kitchen space. “It’s going to appeal to anybody who wants to get out there and travel and get out into the back country as well. We have a steel frame chassis with lots of clearance and independent suspension. It’s made to go off the road,” says Meilak. That rugged design was inspired by the Meilak’s time living in Australia - when they vacationed in the Outback.
