As Tiffany Black states of her West Street Mural in Madison, “It was a long project in the making.”

And big too. The mural, which depicts the river town’s history, is three stories tall and 80 feet long. Black, a 2004 Danville Community High School graduate and the daughter of Greg and Ginny Black, spent four months painting it this past summer and fall.

“When it was all finished, it felt so good because of all that work I put into it,” Black said. “It was really satisfying. And yet when it was finished, it felt small. I don’t know why. I guess it just feels like I can take on bigger things now.”

The sentiment is unsurprising given how much effort was expended on the project. A chance conversation between Cris Sauer, the owner of Shipley’s Tavern in Madison, and Robyne Hart, one of Black’s professors at Hanover College, commenced the endeavor in the summer of 2008.

Open since the mid-1800s, Shipley’s is one of the oldest establishments in the area. Sauer mentioned to Hart he’d like a mural painted on the side of the building, which is just off of Main Street. Hart recommended Black, who was in the midst of an internship with a noted muralist in Louisville.

“He was talking about how he’d like to have a mural done,” Black said of Sauer. “My professor told him she had this student who does murals and that he should get in touch with her.”

The project required more than painting. Given its scope, Shipley’s couldn’t afford to pay for the mural alone. So Black spent the first year seeking sponsors and planning the motif.

“Madison’s a really historic town,” Black said. “Its big industry, back when it was booming, was based on the steamboats that transported goods.”

One sponsor wanted his grandfather’s packet boat — smaller vessels used in the 18th century to transport freight along rivers — as the mural’s centerpiece. The perimeter features 18 historic Madison scenes, each sold to a sponsor.

In addition, Black had to rent a 32-foot scissor lift (one she nicknamed Chewbacca because of the loud cries it emitted) to reach the mural’s summit. When painting, she worked eight-hour days, weather permitting.

It was by far the biggest undertaking she’s ever done.

“I’ve learned so much,” Black said. “That internship was really helpful. (While painting the mural) I was constantly calling people to get advice,” including a contractor.

Black has been drawing as long as she can remember. Murals were something her high school art teacher got her interested in. She chose Hanover College, where she graduated in 2008 with a degree in studio art, for its art program.

“I always knew I wanted to go into art because it was something I was good at and really enjoyed,” Black said. “I never had a question of what I wanted to go into.”

She met many interesting people during the mural’s creation. A couple of writers from Smalltown Monthly magazine approached her for an interview. She was profiled in a two-page color spread in the publication’s December issue.

In October, Gov. Mitch Daniels stopped by to marvel at Black’s mural while he was in town. The Madison Courier published a photo of them on their front page the next day.

“I told him if he ever wanted one in the governor’s house to give me a call,” Black said.

She’s received overwhelmingly positive feedback since the mural’s completion.

“Everyone is really impressed by it, which makes me feel good,” Black said. “When I first started and I was going around town trying to get sponsors, I don’t think people expected much out of me. People have actually said that since it’s been finished. But they’re saying it as a compliment now.”

In fact, it’s led to more mural commissions for Black. She’d like to see more such art gracing the outside of buildings.

“I see murals as a good way to provide a sense of community in a town,” Black said. “I hope mine helps do that for Madison. I can see places where there’s certainly a need for that.”

For more information on Black’s West Street Mural, visit the website at www.weststreetmural.blogspot.com.



wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com