Panda mural to adorn STAR building in downtown Fort Wayne
By Ashley Sloboda | The Journal Gazette
A panda trying to lick ice cream off its nose is the latest mural planned for downtown Fort Wayne, the Downtown Improvement District announced Thursday.
Work on the painting – which features an upturned ice cream cone atop the animal's head – is expected to begin next month on the STAR Financial Group building, 127 W. Berry St.
“I'm so excited to paint this mural in downtown Fort Wayne and proud to be a part of the Art This Way alley activation project,” artist Tammy Davis said in a statement.
The alley activation project also includes murals at 112 W. Wayne St., 128 W. Wayne St. and 927 Harrison St.
“Downtown Fort Wayne's public realm experience is essential to sustaining its momentum and growth as a destination of choice,” Bill Brown, president of the Downtown Improvement District, said in a statement.
He credited Art This Way, the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Lincoln Financial Group and downtown advocates, businesses and property owners for their collaboration.
“The willingness for all these different interests to work together has made all the difference and is truly our X-factor in fulfilling our mission of advancing downtown Fort Wayne as the vibrant urban core of northeast Indiana,” Brown said.
Art This Way operates under the umbrella of the Fort Wayne Downtown Economic Improvement District. The program raises funds and acts as a liaison between property owners and artists.
It received an Arts United Amplify Art Grant, an active crowdfunding-based grant. The next cycle goes live Monday. Funds will support a mural at 840 S. Calhoun St. Visit www.ArtThisWayFW.com for more information.
