New mural showcases Vernon County kids

Gavin Mize, Keagan Hutchinson, Karsen Fetty, Audrie Fetty, Tatum Lentz, Gabby Cox, Kaydenn Coy and Gage Mize working on one of three panels which make up the mural.

There is a new sight to see in Nevada. When you’re driving down Austin Boulevard and you pass Lynn Street, glance to the right, and you will see a new mural hanging on the east wall of Wilkinson Pharmacy.

“I thought it would be a good idea if kids painted one about kids in Vernon County … all the different things the kids do in the county,” artist Mike Conway said.

The mural features the children of Vernon County and some of the many things they are involved in — all four schools, the skate park, and other prominent locations from around the county.

Allison Forsythe, Gabby Cox, and Aubry Null hard at work on the mural in Mike Conway’s studio.

Conway said most of the work was done by his students, local youth who range in age from three to 12 years old. He did the initial sketching and painted some of the details and more difficult parts.

“It was their thing – I was just kinda there to instruct them,” Conway said.

Two dozen of Conway’s young artists, working five or six at a time, brought the mural to life over the course of the past two months.

Gary McGehee and Andy Kalm work on the mural while Mike Conway, front left, talks to Aubry Null, front right.

“It was the most gratifying thing in the world to see their faces when they were painting on this thing, and how proud and how concentrated those little kids were painting on this,” Conway said. “It was unbelievable. That was the best part of the whole thing. They were so excited.”

Conway said there were three young artists, all about eight years, old that did a great deal of the work: Gabby Cox, Aubry Null, and Kaydenn Kalm.

“They’re very good,” Conway said it his student’s, “It’s amazing the talent we have in Nevada.”

The project was first started more than a year ago. Conway first had to get permission to place the mural and then raise the money to create it. He said the sign board, the paint and the clear coat cost $900 and were purchased with money from local donors.

The mural is painted with latex acrylic paint and covered with six coats of UV resistant polyurethane.

“I’ll maintain it as long as I’m alive,” Conway said.

There is a challenge for anyone that stops to look at the mural. Conway said there are seven gold coins hidden throughout the painting. Can you find them all?