Native residents who’ve been maintaining with present occasions throughout the Metropolis of Tahlequah have a lot to speak about these days, and one matter that ruffled some feathers concerned the downtown murals, and the choice by a brand new enterprise proprietor to color over one in every of these on his constructing.
The enterprise house owners aren’t from round these elements, and there’s nothing incorrect with that; the town can’t develop and develop if entrepreneurs and corporations aren’t prepared to relocate right here. However what has upset many individuals concerned within the arts neighborhood is the truth that the paint job appeared to have occurred with none forewarning, or any public dialogue in regards to the intrinsic worth of the unique portray. Two elements are at work right here: one is of a enterprise nature, and the opposite is a cultural consideration particular to this metropolis.
First, an actual property firm has each proper to promote property to anybody it chooses, so long as the method is above board, and it goes with out saying, so long as the brand new proprietor isn’t a felony. And the brand new proprietor additionally has a proper to do what he needs along with his property by way of aesthetics, so long as that call doesn’t defy native ordinances or different legal guidelines.
Second, these murals have grow to be a vital a part of the material of Tahlequah, and one of many many particular facets of the town’s character that draw vacationers to the realm. Many enterprise house owners have chosen to contract with artists to supply these lovely items for the outer partitions of their buildings. Typically, organizations have funded the work, or helped as a part of a neighborhood challenge. However in each case, the artist has been somebody with a stellar status who put coronary heart and soul into the challenge at hand, with the expectation that their work could be loved by the general public for a few years to come back.
Some businesspeople who purchase a constructing might have completely different designs in thoughts, they usually’re completely inside their proper to make modifications. However it will show a exceptional sense of neighborhood if, earlier than they do this, they discuss to native residents and immerse themselves in at the very least the primary couple of layers of the town’s historical past. That will, at the beginning, imply studying in regards to the Cherokee Nation.
Our understanding at this level is that the proprietor of the constructing – which is now an eye-popping pink and blue mixture that some discover objectionable – is predicted to increase an olive department to the artist and others who helped convey this explicit mural to life. One other mural could possibly be within the offing, if all goes effectively. However sooner or later, newcomers to this neighborhood – and some other, for that matter – ought to take steps to search out out what life is like of their new hometown, and plan accordingly, with at the very least a little bit of respect to those that got here earlier than them.
Maybe within the meantime, the Metropolis Council may think about some kind of ordinance defending these murals to an extent, whereas nonetheless permitting companies correct latitude.
