Mila Horak poses next to the latest mural that was hung last weekend on the north side of the Birch Bark Books and Gifts building located downtown Grand Marais. Mila said about 200 people helped with the project this year, and the Grand Marais Art Colony contributed to the project that was largely funded by the Great Place Project. She said there would be several more years of murals that need to be made to complete the large wall. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
Cook County I.S.D. 166 art teacher Mila Horak once again took the reins of the community paint-by-number mural project that adorns the north facing wall of Birch Bark Books and Gifts and with the help of the community, once again created a masterful piece of art.
“This year’s design was inspired by Ojibwe bead art, as a tribute to Norman Deschampe, recognizing all of his contributions to our community… and also celebrating the election of Beth Drost,” said Mila.
Plans are to build a mural every summer until the wall is eventually covered.
Funding the work is the Great Place project.
Each mural is made up of four 4×4-foot metal panels that are placed four across and four high. The paint that is used is weather resistant and so far even the fiercest winds or snow storms haven’t damaged the murals.
After Mila has drawn the outline of the artwork on the panels she numbers them. The panels are then taken to Harbor Park over the weekend annual art fair where people young and old help to paint them with Mila’s guidance.
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