Mural to be unveiled in Mid-town Omaha.
STart Labs secured funds and completed a 2,600 sq. foot mural on West side of Avanza. The mural symbolizes collaboration, diversity, culture and a better Midtown. “It’s projects like this that make our community stronger,” Sarah Tracey explained. A celebratory ribbon cutting will take place this Thursday, Sept. 13th, at 11am in front of the mural on Park Ave between St. Mary’s and Leavenworth.
The project catalyst is designer Sarah Tracey, who is helping Urban Village to transform the buildings on the corner of Park Ave. and Leavenworth. She also began STart Labs – an organization that aims to bring designers, architects, artists and landscapers into relationships that transform Midtown.
STart Lab received grants from Nash Finch, the Mayor’s Office (through grants written by the Leavenworth Neighborhood Association and the Ford Birthsite Neighborhood Association) and Mutual of Omaha to complete the mural. The mural is showcased along a string of new buildings renovated by Urban Village and promotes healthy eating, localfarms and celebrates the local community.
Mike Girón and Richard Harrison were artists that completed the mural. They painted “growing” giant fruits and vegetables, and “hanging” papeles picados (Mexican paper cutting) along the wall. The background of the mural is made up of papeles picados that were designed by students in Bridget Greer’s 6th grade classroom at Jackson Elementary, where they were able to see the mural come to life through their classroom window.
STart Lab ignites collaborations in Omaha to build a stronger community through art, culture and connections. Sarah said, “It’s a collective of creative minds.” For more information or to become involved with STart Labs, please check out the Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/SartLabOmaha, or contact Sarah Tracey at 402- 680-0103, sarah.tracey@uvomaha.com.
