As passersby traverse M-62 in Edwardsburg, they will now be treated to a colorful depiction of the village’s history instead of greyish-white grain silos.
Over the past few weeks, artist Brett Whitacre completed the “All Aboard!” project launched three years ago by the Uptown Improvement Association. The association, with the support of local nonprofits, community organizations, donors and businesses, launched the mural project with the goal of brightening up the heavily trafficked area. To complement the nearby train tracks, they envisioned a mural depicting a train station.
Members of the Uptown Improvement Association pose next to the completed mural at M-62 and Elkhart Road. Pictured left to right are Dawn Bolock, muralist Brett Whitacre, Meryl Christiansen, Brigid Forlenza, Roseann Marchetti and Paula Ralph.
After the artist originally hired to paint the mural became unavailable to finish the project, Illinois-based Whitacre responded to the call for artists and finished his own rendition of the project in a matter of weeks.
“This is my largest mural to date,” said Whitacre, on his artist Facebook page. “For a project this big to go this smoothly, truly made it a delight. Huge thanks to the Uptown Improvement Association and the Village of Edwardsburg. Thank you for trusting me to bring this project to life. … Cannot say enough about the outpouring of appreciation and support from this community. Countless people shouting, honking, coming up to me to deliver thank you notes and sharing some kind words, homemade goodies, bags of snacks, etc.”
Now, the corner of M-62 and Elkhart Road features a bright homage to the train station that once served Edwardsburg, a locomotive pulling up beside it, a conductor and passengers waiting nearby. Various nonprofit organizations and donors are represented throughout the mural on train cars, an airplane banner, and even downtown-style forefronts.
– Photos and portions of the story contributed by Ambrosia Neldon | Cass County Communications Manager
