On behalf of the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill and the Painted Walls Project, I’d like say thanks for printing the great photograph of Michael Brown leading the trolley tour of his work.
The tour Michael led raised almost $400 to restore the turtle mural on the corner of Rosemary Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. But I wanted to write and give credit to two individuals who were instrumental in organizing the entire effort. Mary Anne Steinis and Peter Wilson, from Framer’s Market and Gallery, put a lot of time, energy and money into helping the tour become a success. The idea came from a gallery show of mural photographs and they grew it into a street fair, trolley tour and silent auction all to support preservation. Despite their location in Rams Plaza, Mary’s and Peter’s efforts went a long way to benefit the downtown murals and the businesses who own them.
I want to thank Peter and Mary Anne for the blood, sweat and tears they put into helping downtown Chapel Hill remain a colorful and unique place. But more than just great outdoor works of art, these murals attract visitors, tourists and even residents by demonstrating that downtown has vitality and life. What message would fading, peeling and deteriorating murals send?
I invite everyone who loves these murals to attend Mary and Peter’s next project to help raise money to restore the murals. On Dec. 2, Framer’s Market and Gallery will host a silent auction at the Horace Williams House to benefit mural restoration. I urge everyone to come out and support a great cause. Lastly, stop by the Framer’s Market and Gallery and thank Peter and Mary Anne for all of their hard work supporting the arts and our community.
Ernest Dollar, Director
Preservation Society of Chapel Hill