Washington celebrates recent mural

WASHINGTON — State and city officials joined a crowd of community members at the recently completed mural on the Jarvis building Tuesday morning.

Iowa Finance Authority Communications Director Ashley Jared said the mural — won in the #IowansUnite community contest — was a testament to Washington’s sense of pride.

“It’s very obvious everywhere you go that the dollars and cents just make sense, and the impact that small businesses have in our state, what’s not so obvious is the intangibles,” she said. “The local flavor of the pride for small businesses, the pride community members have for their communities, and how it all works together … we did not have to look far for those stories of small businesses supporting each other, and we just love how this one played out.”

Washington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Redlinger said the community’s contest entry was an example of that collaboration.

“We have limited staff and resources, so we’re always trying to be creative in what we can do and what we can accomplish,” she said. “It really, really makes a difference when we have great partners and volunteers in the community, because that’s the only true way that we make this work.”

Isabella Santoro was a major player in the contest. Chamber leaders said she pushed the group to get involved, coordinated the video herself and wrote the contest-winning essay. Santoro was more modest, but said she was proud of the accomplishments.

“It’s not that easy, to put it into words,” she said. “’What makes your community great?’ So many things, how do I put it into a one-page essay? So I got a little writers block, but I sat down and just wrote from the heart, several others did too.”

Muralist Ben Schuh said he was impressed by the community as well.

“It was clear, very early on, that you guys were passionate about this project,” he said. “Towns this size against larger communities, it’s thoroughly surprising, but it’s a testament to how small communities work together … as soon as you guys won, I knew this was going to be a great opportunity to work with your community.”

Former Main Street Washington Director Sarah Grunewaldt said the mural was a welcome change to the city’s atmosphere.

“Having murals in your community makes a vibrant community, people come out when they feel welcomed,” she said. “Being represented by a mural like this not only ties you to a community, it makes you feel a sense of place. And when you feel at home, no matter whether you’re from there or not, you feel welcome. You want to go back, you want to spend your money, you want to visit.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com