Paint Your (P)art: Historic Marion Revitalization Association

Marion's Paint Your (P)art art installation project is a county-wide art contest that brings outdoor art into the city. Inspired by a midwest town that found success with a similar contest, Marion County worked with Historic Marion Revitalization Association (HMRA) on bringing the contest to their downtown area. "We would like to see our downtown area filled with art," explains Stephanie Rizzo, HMRA Executive Director. The contest was opened to individuals living or working in Marion County who were over the age of 15. The arts committee will choose up to ten finalists to produce their work of art on a 4' x 4' board that, upon completion, will hang on a wall on Main Street Marion. Popular vote judging will take place on May 6, both online and in person. Each person can vote one time at each participating business on Main Street until 7 pm that evening. First place will receive $400, second place will receive $200, and the student division winner will receive $200. The project was made possible thanks to a grant from the Marion County Healthcare Foundation, as well as private donations and HMRA funding. The art will remain hanging for all to see and enjoy for one year. The Paint Your (P)art competition will be an annual event in Marion County. In conjunction with that, HMRA is moving forward with plans for a mural at the Main Street Commons. Work on the mural is set to begin in April and pays homage to the county's past while also celebrating the present. A graphic designer created a "Greetings from Marion" mural reminiscent of vintage postcards. "We are anxious and excited to get these art projects going, as art has a way of unifying a community and creating topics for discussion," says Stephanie. For more on Paint Your (P)art and to cast your online vote, visit the HMRA website at www.theswampfox.org/paintyourpart.