By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga
The City of Millbrook has been getting just a little more colorful almost every day with artwork adorning buildings and businesses as a part of the city’s mural project.
Local artist Milton Madison, who has been painting for about 14 years, has taken on the projects and is painting away, sometimes in the intense heat, to continue to help beautify the city.
“I’ve been painting murals for about five years now,” Madison said. “My affiliation with arts organizations such as 21Dreams and The Kings Canvas in Montgomery helped expose me to opportunities as a mural artist.”
Brenda Dennis, Executive Director of the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, shared how the process of getting murals painted in the city started.
“In July of 2021, HGTV approached Millbrook to do a segment for their upcoming episode of ‘Hometown Take Over: Where are the now?’ which would focus on Wetumpka’s efforts since the show on them had aired in May,” Dennis said. “At that point, Mayor Al Kelley and the City Council appropriated funds to create the ‘Greetings from Millbrook’ mural on Main Street across from City Hall. That project was featured in the episode and was a huge hit.”
Dennis explained that it had already been established that murals can have a very positive impact on the local economy, while also making people smile.
“Across the nation they have become a staple for beautification and downtown improvement projects,” she added. “Knowing this, the Mayor and City Council met again to discuss a broader project that would help our local businesses create murals of their own. At that point, they voted to allocate $30,000 to be managed and awarded by the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce to businesses who complete an application for mural assistance. The Chamber put together a grants review board and the first three grants were awarded in late May.”
Madison, who says he loves the inspiration that comes from doing murals, believes they bring people together.
“I believe that art helps in every aspect of life,” the artist said. “It stimulates thought and creativity. Wherever there is art, the community is usually going to grow. Creative placemaking helps engage the community and its people so that the growth is collective in shaping the culture in the community.”
The chamber director added that not only will local residents get to enjoy the murals, others from outside the city will know about them too.
“Murals have been proven to create an economic boost to a city, county, and state,” she stated. “Thousands of people travel Mural Trails every year, and Alabama has its own trail. Once we have completed this project, we will be submitting Millbrook to the trail as well.”
Dennis said to keep an eye out for more murals in the future as the City of Millbrook grows and important projects are completed to bring more folks from all around into the area.
To see murals from all across Alabama, visit www.alabamamuraltrail.org.
