Corbin getting new mural on Hamlin & Kersey warehouse building

Plans are in place for Corbin to get a new mural sometime next year.

During its regular monthly meeting Monday, the Corbin City Commission authorized City Attorney Bob Hammons to draw up a contract between the city and artist Kellene Turner to paint a mural on the Hamlin and Kersey warehouse building.

Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Monhollen said that the mural will be representative of the Kentucky Wildlands tourism initiative.

The Kentucky Wildlands is a regional tourism marketing initiative in 41 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky. It showcases the region’s majestic beauty and rich heritage with the goal of driving economic development, according to its website.

The mural will be painted directly on the wall at a cost of $5,670.

There is already a $20,000 line item in the budget for public art.

“I love everything about it,” noted Commissioner Allison Moore.

Mayor Suzie Razmus noted that she loved that the mural has so many local tie-ins, and she pointed out, “How many times can you say welcome to Corbin?” on a mural.

Commissioner Trent Knuckles suggested getting with Turner and putting a deadline into the contract for the work to be performed that Turner feels comfortable with.

He noted that Turner was also the artist, who painted the mural on railroad underpass near the old Hall Watson building, and that the project took longer than expected.

Razmus said that in Turner’s defense, she thinks that was the first time she had painted such a mural.

Monhollen added that the project is also dependent in part on when Hamlin and Kersey has the building ready for Turner to start painting.

Kentucky Wildlands is a federal funded initiative, and the mural is part of the city’s in-kind support of the project. In addition, the city is also placing the Kentucky Wildlands logo on new brochures, Monhollen added.