News : Somewhere, Under the Sea, you'll find a good book

A mini mural is in place at Kiwanis Park for children to play Under the Sea

The boring wall before the magic...

Under the Sea...you'll find a good book at the library!

This mermaid is just relaxing with a good book!

Look up you'll "sea" turtle swimming above you!

Who says that garbage cans are boring and ugly? Check them out at the local parks!

The newest interactive mural can be found in the alley on the wall of the newspaper/Livewire building

Mary Barkdoll takes the butterfly across from City Hall for a short flight

The mini butterfly can be found in Cobb Alley next to the Palace

Rainy day at the Park is located on the wall of iVinton

The latest addition is the megaphone an addition designed by Dandeena Shadle

The Vinton Guild of Fine Arts is at it again! It's no surprise that the guild has come up with more gorgeous art to be enjoyed. When it comes to creating and brightening our spaces around town, the Guild has it covered. This group is one of the quietest but most impactful groups in Vinton. One of their latest and largest projects can be seen at...

The Library

If you are the parent of children who frequent the children's section of the library, you have been watching the progress of the group's latest big project, the "Under the Sea" mural.

There were three artists who worked on the library mural. Kim Frazier designed it, and with help from Alice Curtis, and Maggie Johnson the three painted it. They spent a total of 66 hours working on it. Created on the weekends while the library was closed the Guild made weekly visits to complete the project. The bright colors and creativity found in the mural give even the oldest child among us something to explore while waiting for the kids to find the perfect book to bring home.

The generosity of a Paint Iowa Beautiful grant helped to cover the cost of the paint.

Corn Statues

It all started with the corn statues back in 2015. There were 20 original statues created at the time with 18 still remaining.

Art Cans

"Art Cans" were also added to the town by the group. If you've been to the local parks, you may have been looking for the traditional boring garbage cans to throw your trash away. Instead, you will find gorgeous receptacles in the park, painted with flowers, balloons, an underwater design and other designs. The Guild made these possible as well!

Kiddie Murals

Also located at Kiwanis Park is another addition to the kiddie mural collection in town. These mini murals are interactive murals made just for the kids. There are now two of these in town now. Placed at a shorter height for little ones to enjoy, you can find a butterfly in Cobb Alley, and the other is the new "Under the Sea" mural at Kiwanis Park where kids can stage some underwater swimming photos.

Interactive Murals

There are three interactive murals in town. A lifesized butterfly that can be seen across the alley from City Hall, which was the first to arrive in Vinton. You can stand in front of it and make it look like you are flying as a butterfly.

The Guild has added the "Rainy Day at the Park" mural on the wall of the iVinton office where you can hold the umbrella handle. The third is a megaphone located on the wall of the Livewire/newspaper office. This was just installed for the Guild by Darran Sellers.

The Back Alley Art projects are created with a dual purpose in mind. The goal is to beautify the otherwise ignored and sometimes boring locations in the alleys while creating a fun place to pose for a picture.

Another mural was painted by both adults and even children from the Pourville Art Studio and Gallery campers can be found in the alley. This mural has a watering can for all ages to pose next to as they water the flowers.

About Vinton Guild of Fine Arts

The Guild creates with the generosity of the community. The large murals to date have cost several hundred dollars in materials to complete. The cost does not include fees for the artists. The artists have not been paid for their time but have donated their time to make all of this possible. "Costs are basically paint and supplies, and the ACM panels, which have gotten really expensive. If/when we do a mural directly on the wall, there will also be external equipment and prep costs," said Anita Gordon a member of the Guild.

Artists who work on these projects include Kim Fischels, Kim Frazier, Anita Gordon, Maggie Johnson, Gloria Orcutt, and Sally Meyne. Guild member Dandeena Schadle and the Pourville Art Studio are leading partners on some of the murals as well, including the adult butterfly and the megaphone. Much of the garden mural was painted by kids attending an art camp at Pourville this summer.

The Guild is a 501(c)3 organization. If you would like to consider a donation to these projects and ones that they dream up in the future, you can direct a donation to:

Vinton Guild of Fine Arts
PO Box 62
Vinton, IA. 52349