Mural unveiled on Broadway

A mural depicting media organizations in the 300 block of Broadway was installed in the windows of the Surety Building across from the Southeast Missourian on Thursday. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge]

A colorful mural decorates the front of the vacant Surety Building on Broadway, touting "Media Row" on Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

The mural, which depicts media organizations in the 300 block of Broadway, was installed in the windows of the structure across from the Southeast Missourian building Thursday.

The Surety Building is owned by members of the Zimmer family. The structure is flanked by the KFVS12 tower and the River Radio building.

Designed by local artist Wendy K. Rust, the mural depicts radio, television and print journalism. Southeast Missourian designer Scott Anderson helped transform the original creation into a digital image that was printed in sections as massive posters. Concord Printing Services printed the mural sections.

A special treatment was used that will help protect the mural and prevent sunlight from fading it, said Jon K. Rust, co-president of Rust Communications and publisher of the Southeast Missourian.

A Rust Communications donation to the Old Town Cape redevelopment group funded the creation.

"The block is home to some of the city's most unique architectural elements," Jon Rust said.

"The new mural is a way to spruce up the only vacant building in the block while showing off a new service available at Concord Printing, and giving tribute to the historically rich triangle of print, radio and broadcast media located there," he said.

Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape, said the mural brightens up the whole neighborhood. "Obviously, we think it improves not only the whole building but the whole block. It is a beautiful mural."