Monticello Times 2023 Community Guide | Page 15

ON THE MISSISSIPPI

MONTICELLO

COMMUNITY GUIDE 2023

The City of Monticello

Art Walk

In 2018 , the City of Monticello started an arts program , the Monticello Arts Initiative ( MontiArts ) with the hope of revitalizing its downtown through murals , events , sculptures , etc . Through the hard work of building community connections and grant writing , MontiArts has become a unique , artistic force in the region .
Stops 1-7 : The Monticello Community Center
• When you park behind MCC ( the lot off West 5th Street and Locust ), you ’ ll see a young girl with hearts . This piece was created by artist Hallie Leffingwell as part of her series of mini murals .
• As you ’ re walking inside the MCC entrance , you ’ ll see a whale mural by street artist Limpio .
• If you ’ re walking through MCC you will see several large , colorful murals painted by artist Parker McDonald . Parker has been a pillar of Monticello ’ s creative community for many years . His most recent mural inside the MCC was completed just this month ( October 2022 ) in the pool area !
• Visitors stopping by the Monticello Senior Center , located inside MCC ( the parking lot off 6th Street across from the Public Library ) are treated with a gorgeously vibrant mural created by Monticello artist Helene Woods , this piece is called Bodies in Motion .
• Also on 6th Street , behind MCC is the Monticello Park Barn ( formerly the fire station ), here you ’ ll find a busy little bee proudly displayed , another mini mural by Hallie Leffingwell .
• At the front of MCC , facing Walnut Street , you ’ ll find a sculpture by Parker McDonald detailing a small group of swans in flight . This piece is a big part of Monticello ’ s art history and is one of several pieces by Parker McDonald throughout town .
• On the Corner of Walnut , just before the railroad tracks in front of MCC , you ’ ll also see our beautiful fish planter ! This beautiful and fully functional piece of art was created by our MontiArts staff and the Community .
Stops 8-16 : Walking on Walnut
Hallie Leffingwell uses spray paint as her medium to create her mural on the MontiArts building .
• Just outside of the Monticello Public Library , is a sculpture of a young girl reading by Parker McDonald . Inside the library you ’ ll find another beautiful mural also created by Parker .
• Across from the Monticello Community Center , by La Michoacana Ice Cream , is local artist Alison Yager ’ s , The Cow Tag Project . Alison led over 20 community members in an art build when creating this installation .
• Along Walnut , you ’ ll see a cluster of mini murals by Hallie Leffingwell :
• There ’ s a smiling woman on the side of the Monticello DMV
• A Duck Mural on Cargill
• A Bird Mural at Cornerstone Café
• There are also some hidden gems on the wooden power poles downtown , created by MontiArt ’ s Director Sue Seeger .
Limpio ’ s whale mural at Monticello Community Center
Art Walk continues next page
MONTICELLO GUIDE | 2023 | 15