Unveiling of Heritage Depot Plaza’s New Art Mural and Open Space by Gilbert Leadership Class XXI’s at Grand Opening Celebration
WHO: Participants of Gilbert Leadership Class XXI will celebrate the unveiling of their community project which includes an art mural painted on the south-facing wall of the American Legion Merrill Mitchell Post 39 and an open space improvement with park features in the once-vacant lot immediately south of the mural. The mural depicts the Town of Gilbert in the World War I era, circa 1917, with the exception of the “Gilbert” sign, which was later added across Gilbert Road in the early 1930’s. To further enhance the project, a plaque has been created to explain the significance of the site and will be incorporated in the Heritage District History Walk created by last year’s Gilbert Leadership Class XX. Various private donors, including members of the current class, and Gilbert Leadership alumni and past Town Council members John Sentz and Linda Abbott have purchased benches for installation in the open space.
WHAT: To honor the new space, a celebration will take place with an official program, including remarks by Mayor John Lewis of the Town of Gilbert; Commander Skip Erickson of the American Legion Merrill Mitchell Post 39; Mary Ellen Fresquez, Member of the Gilbert Historical Museum Board of Directors; and Kathy Tilque, President/CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. Joining the ceremony is local, seasoned artist and Gilbert Visual Art League member, Mary Opat, who assisted Class XXI to craft the mural design. Opat will be recognized for her visionary design and contribution to the class project.
The celebration will coincide with other events within Gilbert’s Heritage District, including:
- American Legion Merrill Mitchell Post 39 will host a dinner fundraiser, including the sale of a burger or fried fish/shrimp, fries or onion rings and a drink for $6 per person.
- Joe’s Real BBQ’s Customer Appreciation Day – free meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 7p.m. Book donations are suggested.
- Gilbert Fourth Annual ArtFest hosted by Gilbert High School – Celebrating 100 years of Gilbert Public Schools. A walking tour within the Heritage District will be held between 4:30p.m. -7:30 p.m.
I've been working on the mural in Gilbert most of the week. My neighbor asked me to come with her on a road trip 'to get some honey butter in Strawberry'. What started out to be a short trip turned into an eight hour tour of the best scenery in Arizona! We went past Red Mountain to Payson and then around the loop through the Salt River Canyon to Globe and Superior and several small mining towns along the way. The wild flowers are blooming in the desert and the mountains are covered in tall pines. Here are a few pictures of Salt River Canyon. It's a winding road of switchbacks down into the valley and then back up. It's off to work now on the prep for the mural.
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