The Montani Outreach Movement was formed as a non-profit organization in 2023 by area residents Cara McMahan, Lacey Cline, Megan Eckleberry, Brittany Budney and Payden Wells with a goal of enhancing Hancock County through community revitalization projects.

The group’s first official effort began to take shape Friday, as Chester residents joined the MOM members and international artist Kyle Holbrook in establishing a new mural – to depict scenery from Rock Springs Park – underneath the Jennings Randolph Bridge.

“We’ve been working with him for months,” said Cline, who explained the group has been meeting with area residents who had memories of Rock Springs Park in developing the mural’s design.

The planned design will include the park’s carousel, the Virginia Gardens dance hall, roller coasters, an illuminated midway and other historic attractions from the park which operated in Chester from 1897 to 1970 on land now occupied by the bridge and surrounding businesses.

Area families, businesses, and more contributed messages, drawings and other elements to the underpainting layer of the new Rock Springs Park mural set to be painted under the Jennings Randolph Bridge in Chester. The mural project is being organized by local non-profit The Montani Outreach Movement with artist Kyle Holbrook. (Photo by Craig Howell)

Initial funds for the mural were provided through the Hancock County Savings Bank Community Foundation, as well as local fundraisers.

Holbrook, born in the Pittsburgh area, is known for several murals in Pittsburgh, with his art also appearing in Miami, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, London and Tokyo. He has contributed art to the MLB All-Star Game, the U.S. Open, the G20 Summit, and the Paris Olympics.

Locally, Holbrook restored the Tuskegee Airmen mural in Steubenville and also painted a new mural in the city reflecting the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Friday, area residents were invited to take part in the underpainting in preparation of the Rock Springs Park mural.

Underpainting is the establishment of a foundational layer for a mural, where base colors, shapes and other elements are painted to serve as a type of “skeleton” for the final work.

“It makes it conducive to contribution,” Holbrook said of the technique, which he has used in many of his other works. “It enables everyone to see their part.”

Holbrook explained, while the final mural will show a completed image for those viewing it at a distance, aspects of the underpainting will still be visible when getting up close.

“It’s my favorite part,” he said, noting it’s an element of art that can’t be reproduced, making each work unique.

Those who contributed will be able to visit the mural years from now and still see their part of the art, he said.

Part of the underpainting Friday involved pupils from A.T. Allison Elementary visiting the mural site, and leaving their own mark.

“The kids are going to leave their handprints,” Cline said.

Representatives of local businesses also joined in Friday morning, with messages from Hancock County Savings Bank, Sacred Heart Church, Chaney’s Gas Station, and Juszczak Development among those on display. The exercise was opened to the rest of the community Friday night, with plans for food trucks, music and more.

chowell@weirtondailytimes.com