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Gadsden Museum of Art outlines mural expansion and Oct. 16 Arttoberfest downtown
Summary
Ray Wetzel of the Gadsden Museum of Art described an expanded city mural program, a planned art walk and a public Arttoberfest on Oct. 16 that will close part of Wall Street and include performances and food trucks.
Ray Wetzel, director at the Gadsden Museum of Art, told the council the museum is finishing a mural outside City Hall and plans to expand murals across other districts, including Alabama City. He said the museum saw more than 13,000 patrons from May through July and described plans for an art walk with signage, map kiosks and a mural-lined entrance to Broad Street.
“We're gonna be doing murals all over the city next year,” Wetzel said. He described a process for selecting artists and explained that proper sealing and preservation are required; he told council members murals typically cost about $25 per square foot to produce and must be sealed to prevent peeling.
Wetzel also announced Arttoberfest on Oct. 16 from 5 to 9 p.m., which will close Wall Street for food trucks, a beer garden and performances by the Gadsden State Show Band, DDC and Theater of Gadsden. He said the event is free to the public, though council members clarified that alcoholic beverages will not be free and IDs will be required for purchase. Council members suggested longer-term ideas, including wrapping the Cultural Arts Center facade with LED lighting.
Wetzel said the museum is coordinating with city staff, the Auburn Extension SNAP-Ed program and property owners to place murals strategically; he emphasized he is not painting historic facades but working with the building department and planning staff to place murals on appropriate sites. No formal council action was taken on the presentation.
