They feel like a part of their community a little bit more, by seeing something go up compared to not seeing when it starts or when it stops.

'I think people like being involved in the process of a mural, even if they're not actually painting it. 'People really like seeing it evolve,вЂќ she said. 'There is one lady who comes to visit every day, and tells me I'm doing awesome, which is great because I love little supportive comments like that,вЂќ Hval said, adding that all the positive comments help keep her spirits up during her typical eight to 10 hours a day on the job. The project is attracting its own village of viewers along Inspiration Place SW, including a 'regular.вЂќ 'It has truly taken a village,вЂќ Vernon said. The Hawkeye Area Labor Council, the CR/IC Building Trades Council and DA Bunch Painting primed the wall, which is 'on loanвЂќ from building owners Sue and Jim Novak, and Altorfer donated the lift that gives Hval access to the heights, Vernon noted. A Diamond Vogel Paint donation and a grant from Keeping Iowa Beautiful have covered the paint. In-kind contributions are helping, as well. She is being paid $20,000, covering six weeks of the design process, as well as the actual painting, financed through the municipal improvement district and private donations, Vernon said. Murals & More awarded the project to Hval (a Norwegian name pronounced 'vawlвЂќ - the H is silent).

The concept grew out of discussions with Czech Village shopkeepers and business owners, Cecilia Rokusek from the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, and artist/consultant Janelle McClain, who owns the Lion Bridge building. Vernon estimated the finished work will be about 22 feet high by 60 feet wide, on the northeast side of the Novak building now housing Graham Construction. 'Both wanted to create a long-term piece of public art in Czech Village and both brought their abilities and assets to the table.вЂќ The project is the result of the Czech Village New Bohemia Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District working together with the Czech Village New Bo District, said Monica Vernon, executive director of strategic development for the Czech Village New Bohemia Main Street District. If you look closely at the female figure in this new mural, created in Mucha's signature fluid style, you'll see Iowa wildflowers in her hair and in the arches behind her native prairie grasses Iowa's state bird and flower, the goldfinch and the wild rose corn and morel mushrooms, the centerpiece of the annual Czech Village Houby Days festival each May. That road leads to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, which moved to higher ground after the 2008 flood and reopened in July 2012 with a massive exhibition of Mucha's work. One of the celebrated Czech artist's posters from the late 1800s, now in the public domain, is springing to life on an even larger canvas - a blank wall facing the Cedar River, along Inspiration Place SW. Some of Mucha's 'The Slav EpicвЂќ paintings from the early 1900s measure 26 feet by 19 feet. CEDAR RAPIDS - A bright spot in the decimated Cedar Rapids landscape is emerging in Czech Village, thanks to the artistry of Alphonse Mucha, interpreted by Iowa City mural artist Ali Hval - with Iowa twists.

Public agent michaela