Locals help artist Max Dowdle plan artwork that will celebrate the town’s history, culture

WALLACE — The North Carolina artist on a mission to paint murals in all 100 of the state’s counties dropped by Wallace on Feb. 25 to meet with locals interested in his mission and to gather ideas for what the mural will feature.

A small, but enthusiastic group gathered with Wallace Town Manager Rob Taylor, town clerk Jackie Nicholson and police chief James Crayton to meet artist Max Dowdle and share ideas for the new mural in downtown Wallace.

Taylor introduced Dowdle who shared his background with the group, as well as showed examples of murals he has already completed across the state. It was one of the completed murals that caught the attention of Nicholson who reached out to Dowdle to begin the exploration of a mural for Wallace.

Several recommendations were made on what the mural could contain, with everyone in agreement that Wallace’s history with agriculture and the railroad are must-haves. Nicholson also said the town had received surveys it distributed seeking ideas for the mural.

Other recommendations included the mural featuring portraits of popular sports figures from the area, as well as well-known musicians in Wallace.

Crayton recommended the town consider a separate mural on a building at Clement Park, since that is where many of the athletes were introduced to sports.

Nicholson said after the original plan to have the mural painted on a building across from the Wallace Depot fell through, the current owners of a building on Main Street near College Street, where the former Jim Russ Chevrolet building is located, are amenable to the idea.

The mural would be clearly visible to anyone traveling west on Main Street.

Dowdle also looked through publications, including the popular book Wallace, N.C. Home Sweet Home, by Mary Anne Russ, which is filled with many historic photographs and history of the area.

Dowdle said his next step is to study the ideas and history, and then schedule another meeting with Nicholson to determine the final ideas. If a decision is made on the mural’s content, Dowdle said he could begin work in late summer or early fall.