Arts council approves two murals by Leon Kear; library, town-center sites set for August installation

At its July meeting the Playbill Arts Council approved accepting two mural works by artist Leon Kear into the city's public art collection and confirmed two installation sites: the Fayetteville Public Library and the town-center lot at the corner of Rock and East. Staff said the City Council approved additional funding so the project could expand from one mural to two, and that work is scheduled for August.

The council heard that the new plan places one mural on the library's parking-garage wall and a second near the square, creating two walkable destinations. "So, the good news ... now there's instead of 1 piece of art we're getting two," Joanna Schiambel, arts and culture director, said. Staff said the artist's work emphasizes bright, primary colors and an anamorphic, trompe-l'oeil effect that gives the murals a three-dimensional appearance; staff also said the artist would mix some color on site and has flexibility about smaller aesthetic details.

A motion to accept the works was made and seconded during the meeting; the council approved the motion by voice vote. Staff said artist-led public events are planned, including a social hour and a public talk to allow the artist to meet local arts students and community members. Staff expressed hope the library and town-center pairings would draw visitors to walk between the two murals and support downtown businesses.

Separately, staff reported that a City Hall art installation is fully installed on the second floor outside City Council chambers, with 24 pieces currently on view and additional pieces scheduled for installation on the third floor and in the mayor's conference room over the next two weeks. Staff also updated the council that the Brian Alexis mural approved last month will begin installation on the front of the YRCC building; staff expects that installation to take about two weeks once the artist is available and the wall preparations are complete.

Staff said plans are underway for coordinated opening events to celebrate multiple projects around the time the murals are finished. The council did not attach conditions to the acceptance vote; staff will manage installation logistics and event planning ahead of public unveilings.