Help is on the Way

This mural was created by Alicia Rheal.

The north wall of Esker's Hardware on Webb Street now explodes with color, honoring fire fighters and emergency medical technicians. This was completed in the fall of 2008.

Terry Esker, hardware store owner, wanted a mural. "It can be anything, as long as it depicts the local volunteer firefighters and EMT's"....Okay!

To start the research, I created a questionnaire to be given to the firefighters, EMT's and the community at large. It was this feedback from the community, along with the Michael Perry novel "Population 485" (a must read!), that started the design ideas flowing. I created several design sketches and brought them to Wittenberg to show the firefighters, EMT's and Terry Esker. A design was chosen and then the real "Artsy Stuff" began.

I used the words, from the questionnaire, that folks used to describe their local emergency responders as the background...a foundation of sorts. We chose a NYC 911 firefighter as the "attention getter". He represents the courage and selflessness of firefighters everywhere. We then chose to depict local firefighters and EMT's that have been part of the foundation of this community (...there are so many to choose from we cound not represent them all...maybe more murals?!).

I used the frame work of photographs to set a time line. Sepia tone for the "Buffalo", Black and White for the old fire chiefs, Polaroid for the EMT scene and a borderless color photo that blends into the landscape for modern day.

It was such an honor and a pleasure getting to know the firefighters and EMT's of Wittenberg and the surrounding areas. They are an incredibly dedicated and generous bunch of people. They are an inspiration! It is very comforting to know that if I, or anyone else in Wittenberg was in danger...Help is on the way!