Lawrence, Kan. – Friends of Lawence Area Trails (FLAT) has received grants to collaborate with Free State Brewery to create a new trail-side mural in East Lawrence. FLAT received funding through the Sunflower Foundation’s Paving the Way – From Blazing Trails to Building Community grant program, as well as the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission Community Arts Grant Program. The Lawrence grant program supports projects that advance goals identified in the City-Wide Cultural Plan.
FLAT and Free State Brewery are partnering with local muralist Dave Lowenstein, who will be working with members of the community to identify elements for the mural design before commencing work on the mural. The large public art project will be at 1927 Moodie Road, fully visible from the Burroughs Creek Trail.
“At FLAT, our primary mission is to support the local community of trail users and enhance experiences for those who use our local trails. We are proud to be part of this effort to celebrate our community through arts and culture and create a new welcoming space through this community-based mural project.” – Chris Tilden, FLAT Board Chair
“We’re incredibly excited to work alongside our Paving the Way grantees, all of whom are planning or enhancing trails that elevate community health and celebrate local assets,” said Sunflower Director of Healthy Communities Kelli Mark, who oversees the foundation’s trail program. “Through both funding and shared learning opportunities, we’re helping communities build the knowledge, connections, and momentum needed to create lasting impact.”
With the working title “Looped Together”, the mural project will look to be completed this fall, with a public dedication ceremony to celebrate this addition to public art in Lawrence. Additional development activities are set for this summer as the mural creation work progresses.
More information about this project and area trails are available at the FLAT website at flatks.org and at FLAT’s social media sites (Facebook and Twitter).
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ABOUT FRIENDS OF LAWRENCE AREA TRAILS
Friends of Lawrence Area Trails (FLAT) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization devoted to developing, promoting and maintaining a robust, accessible trails system serving the diverse people and communities of Douglas County and Northeast Kansas.
