Chamber to begin Art Walk with mural
Published 12:02 am Wednesday, July 25, 2018
A postponement isn’t slowing the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce down as officials announced Tuesday that several creative ventures are coming to life in the city.
Executive Director Emily Spurlock Harp said the chamber’s Evening in White, a benefit that was listed for late August, is being postponed until 2019 to make way for other “exciting” engagements.
Harp said as of Tuesday, the chamber is executing “Phase 1” of an upcoming artist attraction. She said the attraction is called Art Walk.
“That will begin with a mural being painted on the side of the chamber,” she said. “The mural will reflect the heritage and future of Atmore, and serve as a welcome for all.”
Harp said the mural will be 12-foot-by-30-foot, and is being painted by well-known muralist, Patti Gillispie, of Crestview, Fla.
She said the mural will take approximately two to three weeks to complete.
“We’re excited because we’re sure it’s going to be a traffic stopper, and will help stimulate the economy in downtown Atmore,” she said. “People are going to want to stop and take pictures in front of this thing.”
Harp said the mural is the first art installation on what the chamber is planning for a walking tour of Atmore.
Additionally, Harp announced Tuesday that Music on Main Street will be returning in early to mid August.
She said this year’s events, will have musicians located within downtown businesses on Main Street. Each business will have a different style of music, or musician, she said.
Harp said on the technology front, the chamber is the recipient of Provalus in Brewton’s Boot Camp Six’s Pinnacle Project.
“They’re donating to us a completely built-from-scratch, reimagined chamber website and it’ll have many interactive features,” she said. “We anticipate that to be ready in the next four weeks. We’re so grateful to be have been selected.”
Harp said she wanted to thank the city of Atmore and Mayor Jim Staff for their support in advocating the tax-free weekend last week.
“We appreciate the mayor taking the time to hear our request and following through with Atmore’s participation,” she said. “We’re confident that there was local success for the merchants.”