Artists paint window murals on Fairfield’s vacant storefronts

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield Beautification Commission hopes to fill the downtown’s empty storefronts by turning them from an eyesore into a work of art.

The commission has begun a “Creative Spaces Project” where it’s enlisting local artists to paint murals on the windows of vacant properties. Thus far, three artists have contributed their talents to beautifying three buildings, and they are Jenny Sammons, Marissa Cardella and Ashley Goodwin.

Sammons painted vibrant flowers on an empty property in the alley north of Central Park that was previously a pet-grooming business. Goodwin painted a nature scene with a big tree in the building on West Broadway formerly occupied by Walker’s. Cardella’s art is still in progress, on the storefront previously home to George’s Pizza.

In addition to providing a splash of color to the downtown, these paintings also inform passersby of the opportunity that awaits them should they choose to lease the building. Above her row of flowers, Sammons painted the words “Your Business Name” and “Your Logo.” Cardella painted in big bold letters “Space for Lease,” and Goodwin matched her nature theme with the words “Grow Your Business Here!”

The paintings include the square footage available, and a phone number to call for more information, 641-919-1224, which takes them to Fairfield Beautification Commission chair Deborah Williamson. Williamson said these paintings have already sparked interest from potential tenants who have inquired with the buildings’ owners. Paul Glossop owns the business in the alley and the former George’s Pizza, while Rusty Luksich owns the old Walker’s building.

“We have more artists ready to paint more vacant spaces,” Williamson said. “It works wonders!”

Williamson said the idea to beautify empty storefronts like this came from the Downtown Assessment the city received from the Downtown Resource Center last November. The group, part of Iowa Economic Development Authority, recommended the city spruce up its vacant storefronts by adding art exhibits or museum artifacts inside.

The three artists told The Union that they were given wide latitude to use their creativity in crafting a design. Sammons said she did a mural in Oskaloosa, but this is her first one in Fairfield. Fairfield residents may know Sammons from her musical performances, including the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center’s summer concert series, and from her visual art that’s been shown at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. Sammons has also served on the Fairfield Art Association board, and this summer she’s participating in the FAA’s downtown summer art installation.

Sammons said she participated in the window-painting project because she wants to make Fairfield “bright and cheerful.”

“I really care about Fairfield, and want to see it thrive,” she said.

Goodwin said she got to meet Cardella through this process, and the two might work together on art for the upcoming Symmetry Music Festival this fall. Goodwin said she has not done public art before, but her kitchen table is covered in projects. She hasn’t had much time to devote to art, but now that she’s painted a storefront, she’s gotten a couple of requests from local businesses who want her to do work for them.

Cardella said the beautification commission’s Creative Spaces Project is really cool, and she loves Fairfield’s numerous murals and public art.

“Even the graffiti-style stuff in our alleys has some fun designs,” she said. “Filling those empty spaces with something pretty makes sense, and I love that she [Williamson] is pushing to make it happen. The intention is to fill those spaces and have more going on in the downtown.”

  Buy Photo

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com

  Buy Photo

  Buy Photo