It all started when Marge Fleming went on vacation. When she returned, she shared a brochure with Jill Barnett about a mural town located in Athens, Ontario Canada. Adopting the mural idea, Jill suggested that Peoples Bank commission a mural in celebration of the bank’s centennial. The idea quickly took shape and the first mural featured Peoples Bank first cashier and bank president for 39 years,  A.J. Barnett.  From this point, the Route 66 Mural City was soon to be a Mother Road destination.

Muralist Shelly Smith Steiger

Artist Shelly Smith Steiger

Shelly Smith Steiger, a hometown artist was enlisted to paint the mural, and after researching “how to” paint an outside mural, she found Canadian artist Michelle Loughery, who is known for her murals. Ultimately, Loughery and her 16 year old daughter flew to Missouri, and eight days later the first mural was done. After the success of this mural, Viva Cuba, adopted the project and planned for additional murals. With the help of Viva Cuba volunteers, the mural project blossomed into a multi-year project. 

It’s been almost 20 years since the mural project began in Cuba. Since then, Viva Cuba has experienced first hand how art can transform a town. Outdoor murals encourage people to slow down and admire the surroundings. The murals of Cuba, Missouri do just that! Inspired by local history with an emphasis on rural life in Missouri, the Route 66 mural city offers 14 outdoor murals. Each with its own history lesson, the Route 66 murals attract thousands of travelers each year from all over the world.

 

Isabella Kamler

Isabella Kamler spends her summer updating murals.

The Makeover

This year, with the help of a 2019 IMPACT 100 grant, Viva Cuba plans to protect and preserve the Route 66 Mural City designation for years to come. 

Involved since the inception, artist Shelly Smith Steiger is at it again. This summer, Steiger and her team of artists, Julie Nixon Krovicka, Isabella Kamler, and Taylor Rives, will apply a mural protectant to several uptown murals. As part of the project, the team has been performing routine mural maintenance to help sustain the art for decades to come. 

In addition, Viva Cuba consulted with muralist, Michelle Loughery to see how her town maintained murals.  After extensive research and numerous conversations, it was decided to apply Mural Shield to Cuba’s murals.  Ms. Steiger explains, “The mural shield is a real game changer. Developed by muralists, this protective layer is a finishing touch designed specifically to increase the longevity of outdoor murals.”

Between our murals, Viva Cuba Garden, and tree projects, Viva Cuba volunteers strive to keep our city relevant for residents, tourists, and educators with welcoming and walkable art installations that make you want to see it in person.

 

The mural district continues to be the pride of our town.

A mural community does much more than just display art.

Julie Nixon Krovicka

Julie Nixon Krovicka adds the finishing touches to the Gold Star mural.

They provide color. 

Murals make you take notice as you drive by. It’s no secret, murals improve properties and add color to buildings and streets that otherwise go unnoticed. Outdoor art installations reach folks that otherwise may never set foot in an art gallery. People take notice when old buildings breath new life. Murals are more attractive to look at than blank walls.

They attract business. 

With the public in mind, murals act as a collective of thoughtful spaces. In this case, our murals encourage you to get out of the car and explore our historic downtown. Murals attract new businesses, help bring customers to existing locations, and boost the economy of the area. 

They tell a story. 

These community murals add value and encourage dialogue about the local culture and history. Located along Route 66, our murals reveal war, industry, glamor, and even politics. At our annual Cuba Fest celebration, we offer narrative trolley tours that share the story behind the murals.

They build community. 

The murals began as a project to celebrate the city’s entrepreneurial spirit and promote our hometown pride. Cuba’s first mural was commissioned in 2001 by Peoples Bank as a way to pay homage to the late A.J. Barnett. Since then, every mural is linked to cultural preservation of the area.

In 2021, the mural city celebrates 20 years since the first brush graced the walls of Washington St. Stay tuned for upcoming events. In the meantime, if you love the Route 66 Mural City, Viva Cuba seeks your support.  Learn how you can donate to Viva Cuba and keep art alive and kickin’ on Route 66!