The normally drab brick wall on the east edge of Thanks A Latte has, in the past week, blossomed with a rush of color. Scaffolds bear local volunteers, artists and sometimes students from Camp Verde High School. Some day soon, the wall will show the full mural — a richly- hued painting of the valley, full of agricultural delight and symbols of Camp Verde.
“We wanted it to celebrate our community values and our unique landscape,” said Sebra Choe, economic development specialist for the town of Camp Verde. “We thought it would bring everyone together and create community pride.”
The painting is designed with identifying features of the area, such as Montezuma Castle National Monument, cottonwood trees, the Verde River and the San Francisco Peaks off in the far distance. The mural is among the first steps of what Choe hopes to be extensive public art all over Main Street, with an emphasis on the town’s culture and history.
The mural’s design comes from Joan Bourque, a local painter from Cornville. Bourque has made similar works in the area, such as on the side of the Goodwill building and senior center in Cottonwood.
Bourque has done other projects all over Arizona, joining with the Arizona Commission on the Arts.
“I think it helps tighten the collaboration within a community,” Bourque said of murals like the one on the side of Thanks A Latte. “Especially with the students, and the people who work on it. They have a part. They can go back to the wall and say, ‘I did this.’ It’s a good feeling.”
Bourque said that in comparison with other towns across the state where she has worked on murals, she has been impressed with the participation of Camp Verde residents. The project has come with donations not just from the town, but also from local businesses like Ace Hardware. The town is hoping to raise more funds from locals to pay for the $4,000 cost of the project — paying for art supplies and volunteer mentorship, as well as a stipend for Bourque and payment for her design.
But the main way that locals are donating to the project is in giving their time. At points throughout the day, volunteers can be seen adding coats of paint to complete Bourque’s masterpiece.
“It’s doing something that means something,” said Kay Prochko, a local farmer who splits her time between Camp Verde and Ohio. Prochko studied art in college, but said she has never done a project like this, and her enthusiasm shows. “I think the finished work is going to be just awesome.”
From time to time, Bourque moves among the volunteers, helping them with technique, such as showing Prochko how to paint with sponges instead of brushes.
“I’m just thrilled to follow what she’s telling me,” Prochko said. “When everybody sees it, I can say, ‘I had a piece of that. I did some of that.’”
If all goes according to plan, the mural should be finished by the end of December.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
