JACKSON PANEL PLANS SECOND MURAL

JACKSON -- A new Jackson mural is being planned. Herb Wickham, retired art teacher and chairman of the Jackson Mural Committee, said plans for the second Jackson mural are in their infancy stages.

"Sponsorship is currently being sought for the mural costs," he said, "and a tentative site location has been found on the on the west side of the Goose Creek Trading Company at the corner of Main and Missouri."

The committee is also considering other site locations.

"Right now we need to raise money," he said. Once the funds are raised Wickham said the committee can proceed with the location and the selection of the mural painting.

As with the first mural, located on the north wall of the Clabaugh Building, the committee will select a mural design through a contest.

In June 996, the committee selected Grant Lund's mural design of President Andrew Jackson. Other entries in last year's mural contest included local churches, the Coca-Cola building, the Oliver House, agriculture themes, Homecomers, St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad and the history of the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse.

"We want to bring artists together with their designs," said Wickham, "and have a full competition."

The total cost of placing a new mural is estimated at between $4,000 to $6,000. Wickham said although a sponsor may donate to the mural costs, the mural committee will vote on what painting will be placed on the wall.

"We will be placing the mural on someone else's wall," he said. "We will be responsible for what is appropriate and correct. It will be a lot of coming together and making decisions."

Wickham said the committee would like to keep a historical theme to the mural.

The mural committee will meet in the next few weeks to finalize the placing of a plaque. The plaque, which will be placed in the wall by the first mural, will list names of contributors who made the first painting possible.