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Benson Mural Project

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The Benson Mural Project, led by a group of volunteers affiliated with Leadership Omaha Class 31, is under way. Three murals will be created in the alleys of downtown Benson. Local high school and college student artists were invited to submit design proposals. Three Benson High School students - Andrew Forsman, Brandon Moore and Jasmine Ruch - will work with professional artists Watie White, Bill Hoover and Renee Ledesma Hoover to complete the trio of murals. To view the final mural design for The Pizza Shoppe alley location, visit www.watiewhite.com. For more information, call 402.978.7928.

  		 
     
 
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Painting to Begin

bhs_sketch.gifThree Benson High School students have been given the opportunity to leave their mark on downtown Benson, literally, in conjunction with a project spearheaded by seven members of Leadership Omaha Class 31.

The students - Andrew Forsman, Brandon Moore and Jasmine Ruch - will work with professional artists Watie White, Bill Hoover and Renee Ledesma Hoover to execute a series of murals that celebrate the essence of Benson, one of the city's emerging music and art destinations.

White, a member of Leadership Omaha Class 31, said the project is designed to serve as a catalyzing activity for beautifying downtown Benson's alleys while supporting the growth and development of local artists. The alley entrances of three Benson businesses are serving as mural sites: The Pizza Shoppe Collective, 6056 Maple St.; Jane's Health Market & Deli, 6103 Maple St.; and Bryan Hill Entertainment, 6070 Maple St.

White and Forsman, the first team to get under way, will be creating the mural behind Amy Ryan's Pizza Shoppe. Their collaborative design is a classic sea scene inspired by The Odyssey. Forsman, who will be a sophomore at Benson High this fall, is also a participant in a mentoring program affiliated with the Kent Bellows Studio and Center for Visual Arts.

The 12-foot by 40-foot wall behind The Pizza Shoppe has been cleaned and will undergo some tuckpointing before the painting begins. White and Forsman plan to start work on their mural the first part of July. To view the final design, visit www.watiewhite.com.

More information about the two other professional-student artist teams will be provided in the coming weeks. Those interested in the mural project can keep tabs on its progress via www.bensonbeat.com.


What would you do to improve Benson's alleys? Let The Beat know what you know at info@bensonbeat.com.