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November 21, 2009 Cartersville, Georgia
LOCAL NEWS
Adairsville artist calls for financial support of Great Locomotive Chase mural
The painting will be recreated into a 10-foot-by-28-foot mural on or near the train depot in downtown Adairsville. The artists, Skip McNutt and Ernest Neal, are raising funds for the project. The estimated cost is around $200,000. Copyright 2009 Ernest W. Neal and Skip McNutt
For resident artist Skip McNutt, the proposed mural for downtown Adairsville is a personal mission to progress "his" town economically as well as aesthetically.
The 10-foot-by-28-foot painting would depict the Great Locomotive Chase in progress. Acting as a picture in time, the downtown mural would capture the early morning attempt by Union spies to destroy supply lines north to Confederate troops in Chattanooga.
Hazy morning skies cast the backdrop for the historic high-speed pursuit that came through the city of Adairsville on April 12, 1862. The hijacked steam engine, the General, speeds forward followed close behind by the Texan, being driven in reverse. These images are cast upon an idyllic countryside setting that may represent any number of locations along the nearly 100-mile path taken by the steam engines from Big Shanty in Marietta until coming to a rest north of Ringgold.
Contributing to the effort will be Ernest Neal, an accomplished artist from Calhoun. The two artists will combine their talents for the project. The mural would be made in the likeness of an earlier painting by McNutt and Neal.
"The purpose behind it is to attract people to the downtown area of Adairsville -- to where they will want to linger, spend their money, time and possibly even open up businesses of their own because of the attraction that the mural would bring," McNutt said. "There's nothing like this within the Northwest Georgia area. It would be one of a kind."
A letter of support was garnered from the Adairsville City Council and Mayor Evan King at the Oct. 8 regular meeting. The letter cemented the proposal from McNutt and Neal to construct the mural although the city was not asked to fund the project. The mural is estimated by McNutt to cost around $200,000, which will come from fundraising efforts.
The artists are asking for donations from residents and businesses as well as pursuing grants for the endeavor. After funds are raised and work on the painting has begun, McNutt estimates the process to paint the mural will take from six months to a year to complete.
The exact location of the mural is still unknown; however, it is preferred by the artists to see the mural placed on the side of the depot. The depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; therefore, research is still being conducted to ensure that an artistic installation attached to the building would not affect its historical standing.
If it is not allowed to be attached to the building, plans are in place to construct a free-standing display somewhere on the public square to house the mural.
The history of Adairsville is deep and rich with the Great Locomotive Chase the predominant occurrence of its past. As the first Georgia city to be entered into the National Registry of Historic Places in its entirety, Adairsville places pride and emphasis on the formative events that endowed this honor.
The Great Locomotive Chase Festival, held the first weekend in October each year, hosts thousands of guests to celebrate the event in downtown Adairsville.
The former train depot is now home to the Adairsville Rail Depot Age of Steam Museum, educating visitors free of charge on the great locomotive chase, the Civil War, the railroad and early life for Adairsville residents. Curator Jerri Holloway presides over the museum's daily operations and has worked with McNutt and Neal to drum up support for the mural.
"I think it's going to amaze people when they see the picture itself and what it does for the building and when they see how many people will come to see it," Holloway said.
McNutt owns Part Time Artist, an art supply store, which doubles as his studio where he works on personal artwork, commission work, photo restoration, portraits, corporate logos and more. Part Time Artist is located in downtown Adairsville at 102-C Public Square.
"Being a business owner I've got a two-fold part beyond just creating and painting a mural to be known for. I'm wanting something in the area that does attract people on a consistent basis that people are willing to spend their time as well as their money while they're here to support local business," McNutt said.
Donations can be made to the city of Adairsville to be earmarked for this project. Donations are tax deductible.
The 10-foot-by-28-foot painting would depict the Great Locomotive Chase in progress. Acting as a picture in time, the downtown mural would capture the early morning attempt by Union spies to destroy supply lines north to Confederate troops in Chattanooga.
Hazy morning skies cast the backdrop for the historic high-speed pursuit that came through the city of Adairsville on April 12, 1862. The hijacked steam engine, the General, speeds forward followed close behind by the Texan, being driven in reverse. These images are cast upon an idyllic countryside setting that may represent any number of locations along the nearly 100-mile path taken by the steam engines from Big Shanty in Marietta until coming to a rest north of Ringgold.
Contributing to the effort will be Ernest Neal, an accomplished artist from Calhoun. The two artists will combine their talents for the project. The mural would be made in the likeness of an earlier painting by McNutt and Neal.
"The purpose behind it is to attract people to the downtown area of Adairsville -- to where they will want to linger, spend their money, time and possibly even open up businesses of their own because of the attraction that the mural would bring," McNutt said. "There's nothing like this within the Northwest Georgia area. It would be one of a kind."
A letter of support was garnered from the Adairsville City Council and Mayor Evan King at the Oct. 8 regular meeting. The letter cemented the proposal from McNutt and Neal to construct the mural although the city was not asked to fund the project. The mural is estimated by McNutt to cost around $200,000, which will come from fundraising efforts.
The artists are asking for donations from residents and businesses as well as pursuing grants for the endeavor. After funds are raised and work on the painting has begun, McNutt estimates the process to paint the mural will take from six months to a year to complete.
The exact location of the mural is still unknown; however, it is preferred by the artists to see the mural placed on the side of the depot. The depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; therefore, research is still being conducted to ensure that an artistic installation attached to the building would not affect its historical standing.
If it is not allowed to be attached to the building, plans are in place to construct a free-standing display somewhere on the public square to house the mural.
The history of Adairsville is deep and rich with the Great Locomotive Chase the predominant occurrence of its past. As the first Georgia city to be entered into the National Registry of Historic Places in its entirety, Adairsville places pride and emphasis on the formative events that endowed this honor.
The Great Locomotive Chase Festival, held the first weekend in October each year, hosts thousands of guests to celebrate the event in downtown Adairsville.
The former train depot is now home to the Adairsville Rail Depot Age of Steam Museum, educating visitors free of charge on the great locomotive chase, the Civil War, the railroad and early life for Adairsville residents. Curator Jerri Holloway presides over the museum's daily operations and has worked with McNutt and Neal to drum up support for the mural.
"I think it's going to amaze people when they see the picture itself and what it does for the building and when they see how many people will come to see it," Holloway said.
McNutt owns Part Time Artist, an art supply store, which doubles as his studio where he works on personal artwork, commission work, photo restoration, portraits, corporate logos and more. Part Time Artist is located in downtown Adairsville at 102-C Public Square.
"Being a business owner I've got a two-fold part beyond just creating and painting a mural to be known for. I'm wanting something in the area that does attract people on a consistent basis that people are willing to spend their time as well as their money while they're here to support local business," McNutt said.
Donations can be made to the city of Adairsville to be earmarked for this project. Donations are tax deductible.
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