Citizen Staff/Hank Snyder
High school junior Kelsey Nummerdor, 17, is part of a group of students at CWC painting a mural on the wall of The Rock Shop.
WAUPUN — What was Waupun’s worst eyesore two years ago is being transformed into one of the most attractive areas along Main Street.
When the Community Development Authority was formed four years ago, one of its first goals was to have either an investor repair and re-open the Gingerbread Antique Mall at 420 E. Main St. or have the city tear down the building.
After two years the city had no takers, so the building was torn down.
The adjoining building walls were repaired and improved, and the land is still available for any investor.
Meanwhile, public-spirited citizens like Jim Grant started putting up Christmas Trees on the lot for the holiday season, and a wandering path connecting Main Street to the alleyway behind the businesses was put in. Grass was also put in.
Now, Gerri Buteyn, the advanced art instructor at Central Wisconsin Christian has eight of her middle and high school students painting a mural on the wall of The Rock Shop which was exposed once the Gingerbread Antique Mall was torn down.
The painting is of a path lined with columns with vines growing overhead for shade.
“It’s modeled after European murals,” said Buteyn. “We hope it will be a nice backdrop to the green space for people to sit and relax.”
Buteyn said the project is taking longer than expected because of so many chilly days the past two months.
“There weren’t a lot of warm days this fall, and we really can’t paint when its below 50 degrees because the paint can’t adhere to the surface,” said Buteyn, “but the kids have learned a lot and they’re really enjoying the project.”
Buteyn said the class is only an hour, meaning they can only paint 40 minutes a day when the weather is right.
“This can only improve and enhance our downtown,” said Joyce Dommisse, who has owned The Rock Shop for 30 years. “I’m excited about what we want to do in the open space.”
Sue VandeBerg, head of the Beautification Committee which is part of the CDS is also excited about what Gerri Buteyn’s class is doing and hopes the enthusiasm continues.
“As to the Beautification Committee, our goal is to add a bench so people can sit and look at the mural; and we’re looking for other ideas as to what will happen in time in the open space. We’ll be discussing ideas at the next Beautification Committee meeting Nov. 3,” she said.
Mayor Jodi Steger said she’s excited about the mural the students are painting. “In the future I hope we can look forward to having more murals on our vacant walls.”
hsnyder@capitalnewspapers.com