HOWELL — A once bland and lifeless wall in downtown Howell is now showing visitors and community members what makes the city so unique.
A large, black sheet of plastic covered the large-scale mural before an unveiling June 23, attended by groups of eager community members who waited patiently as the countdown began.
The massive mural by Susan Pominville, the founder of nonprofit ART Doing Good, is posted on the side of Thai Cafe at 215 E. Grand River Ave. The piece is the first in the nonprofit’s newly announced mural series.
The massive, colorful mural was designed with input from community members, and depicts local landmarks like the Howell Opera House, Historic Livingston County Courthouse, Bennett Field, Howell Carnegie District Library and Thompson Lake — in addition to beloved events like Balloonfest, Fantasy of Lights and the Legend of Sleepy Howell.
There’s even a nod to Howell’s Melon Festival, including a QR code that leads to the order form for the area’s unique melon-flavored ice cream.
Those who shared input for the mural may find some of their own handwritten notes scattered along the creation’s painted brick path.
Pominville said there’s plenty of other symbolism throughout the piece, but she doesn’t want to spoil the fun. Instead, she wants the community to interpret the piece in their own way.
“What I love most about art is what other people see in it,” she said. “I would love for people to share what they see.”
Pominville reiterated the mural is “just the beginning” of what she hopes will be a long-running series.
Learn more at artdoinggood.org/thaicafewall.
— Contact reporter Makayla Coffee at mcoffee@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Howell celebrates unveiling of enormous, vibrant community mural
Reporting by Makayla Coffee, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Makayla Coffee, Livingston Daily | USA TODAY Network
