BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – The McManus Trail Art Park just got a new set of wings.
For the last two weeks, Brent Woodard, a local artist and art instructor at WVU Tech and the University of Charleston, has been adding a new mural to the art park.
Woodard had done some logo work for the city in the past and was requested to paint the McManus Trail Art Park mural by Jill Moorefield, director of events.
According to Woodard, Moorefield wanted to add a pair of wings that would compliment the other two pairs but be more accommodating to children. The current wings are larger and geared more toward adults, making it difficult for youth to interact with the art.
As Woodward was designing his mural, he said he was inspired by color theory and the color spectrum- two topics his curriculum highlights frequently.
“I pitched two ideas, and I went with the first one: the butterfly wings. They’re cute and innocent.”
With the majority of the mural done, Woodard says is happy to make his mark on Beckley.
“I am very honored that they asked me to begin with,” he said. “I teach here, I live here, I am growing my family here, so having that connection to the culture of the city is great. When art is embraced and noticed and encouraged, you really get a unique, beautiful thing come out of your community. If we can keep doing that, I think people will be surprised.”
Woodard is adding the finishing touches to his mural and should be finished by next week.
