Portions of Washington Avenue in downtown West Plains will be closed today, weather permitting, as artists paint two new street murals live, with a third mural underway in the W. Dixon Alleyway. The projects mark the launch of a new downtown initiative supported by West Plains Downtown, the City of West Plains, and Sherwin‑Williams.
Officials say the murals use roadway‑grade paint and also provide a traffic‑calming benefit by encouraging drivers to slow down. Designs and locations were reviewed by the Transportation Department for safety.
Today’s work includes Garrett Melby’s tribute to the Lincoln School and Ricky Baker’s mural depicting the historic airplane crash into the Bond Building. In the W. Dixon Alleyway, Dawna Kelley is adding a new Puss in Boots piece to the “window into a book” series. Washington Avenue is closed from Broadway to the Square, with cross‑traffic allowed at Trish Knight Street.
