Sandblasters start removing mural to make way for update

~ Artists plan to start work around Aug. 1 and hope to be finished by Labor Day.

Work has begun on the first phase of updating the "Missouri Wall of Fame" mural on Cape Girardeau's floodwall.

Thursday morning a crew with Robert Boitnott Painting began sandblasting the current mural from the wall to make way for Chicago artist Thomas Melvin to repaint the images.

"After two years of serious talking and planning ... today begins the process," said Tim Blattner, president of the River Heritage Mural Association.

The association announced in February it would rework the mural, a move that followed closely on the success of the "Mississippi River Tales" mural. Blattner said the project will cost $85,000 to $90,000, with $50,000 to $55,000 of the amount to be raised through sponsorships. The rest will come from money already in the association's coffers.

The association decided half the sponsorship money had to be raised before the project could begin with this first phase, Blattner said, and has reached that point, pulling in just over $25,000.

The mural depicts famous people with ties to Missouri like baseball player Stan Musial, radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, former president Harry Truman, author and humorist Mark Twain, writer Langston Hughes and the outlaw James brothers.

Sales of sponsorships were initially sluggish, but started to pick up in May when the association restructured the sponsorships to create more affordable pricing.

Now the mural association will also open up lower-priced sponsorships starting at $250. The names of those who purchase smaller sponsorships will be listed on a separate reader board in front of the wall in recognition of their donation.

Margaret Dement painted the original mural in 1995.

Melvin and his team of artists plan to start work around Aug. 1 and hope to be finished by Labor Day, Blattner said.

A dedication ceremony and dinner to recognize sponsors will occur sometime after the project is completed.

msanders@semissourian.com

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