SUDLERSVILLE — Welcoming artists of all ages to help showcase historic artwork, the Rural Mural Program and Sudlersville Community Mural Project kicked off at the Sudlersville Memorial Library July 3.
Dedicated to bringing creativity and showcasing local history, this Maryland State Arts Council Public Art Across Maryland sponsored project is creating a 4’ x 24’ community designed painting to be displayed at the Sudelersville Library allowing all locals to add their touch to the mural.
The Rural Mural Program is an Eastern Shore community mural project facilitated by the Choptank Tolomato Legacy Project with funding provided by the Maryland State Arts Council’s Public Arts Across Maryland Program.
Leading the Sudlersville mural project is Jimmy Reynolds, executive director of the Choptank Tolomato Legacy Project who has been crafting street art for over 25 years.
The Choptank Tolomato Legacy Project is a non-profit serving to bring community arts to smaller towns around the Eastern Shore and teaching cultural literacy through the creation of public art focussed on regional legends and lore.
Showcasing the local legacy of Sudlersville, the designs of the mural includes Maryland icons like the state flag and black eyed Susans, as well as local agriculture, landmarks, and history unique to Sudlersville including renowned residents like baseball Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx.
“The idea isn’t just Sudlersvile now, but over the ages,” Reynolds said.
Creating a layout for the community mural, Reynolds combines local history with art to bring a love of small town community and creativity, encouraging all ages to jump in and engage with local art.
“You know what you do when you mess up? You paint over it,” he said.
Working with state and county arts councils, one year of legwork preparation has brought the project to the community, he said.
Reynolds met with the community twice at the library to gauge interest and what the public wanted to see displayed to represent their town.
While Reynolds has a design layout of plan for the mural, the overall concept is flexible and still allows additions to continually highlight the history of such a close knit community.
“We can always add more,” he said.
Striving to involve underserved communities and children with learning disabilities, Choptank Tolomato works on projects up and down the Eastern Shore, in areas such as Kent Narrows, Centreville and Chestertown. Reynolds said his vision is to continually bring local public art to small communities, such as in Talbot County including Cardova.
Emphasizing that art is for everyone, the public art project looks to bring art to small communities. Working on other murals around the Eastern Shore including Cambridge, Chestertown, and Greensboro, Reynolds noted the difficulty to have community centered mural projects in areas with limited access to transportation.
“That’s why we’re here, we’re bringing the art to you,” he said.
Highlighting stories of local Native American and Guatemalan roots. Reynolds’ most recent spearheaded community project is a piece on display in Greensboro at the corner of Sunset Avenue and Main Street.
With every new project, Reynolds’ favorite aspect is the community involvement and having residents know they lent a hand in creating a vibrant mural for their community.
Reynolds said to never underestimate the importance of taking a step back from your work and admiring it from a different perspective.
With schools out for the summer, the mural project is a fun activity for all ages to learn local history and lend a hand in creating a stunning masterpiece, he said.
Reynolds was blown away with the amount of artists attending the kick-off last Wednesday.
“It’s an extraordinary turnout,” he said.
Painting the Sudlersville mural is open to the public and will continue Saturdays through July. No experience is necessary and work can be utilized for student service learning hours.
At least 12 mural painting workshops are scheduled to be held at the Sudlersville Memorial Library every Saturday through July and September from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with all materials provided.
The mural project will take a break for August before resuming on Saturdays in September.
Finalization is expected in October with the construction of a wooden frame for display outside the library.
More information about the Choptank Tolomato Legacy Project can be found at https://www.choptanktolomatolegacyproject.org.
Sudlersville Memorial Library is an independent town library, and more information can be found at https://www.sudlersvillelibrary.org.
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