Viking Mural for Main Street Lindsborg Kansas

The Artist

Hello everyone! My name is Cal McNichols. I am an artist who currently works on murals and my own comic book series. I want to add a new mural to the Swedish town of Lindsborg, Kansas. To date, I have completed four murals. My wife, who has helped with previous murals, will be helping me with this project as well. My first two murals were done in my hometown of Burr Oak, KS: one for the visitor center and one for the main street.

My next mural was in Mankato, KS. Thankfully, we received funding for that project through the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. The latest mural I completed was in Lindsborg, KS in Swensson Park. I received some funding for the mural through the town and made a fun, interactive mural for the children who play in the park just to the left of the building.

The Project

The current owner of the building has been looking to repaint the wall with a new and vibrant mural for the town. The wall faces one of the prominent entrances to the main street of town and also overlooks The Hemslöjd, a Swedish goods store popular with our tourists. Because this wall is in such a prominent place, I am hoping to give the wall new life for the locals and our many visitors.

The Inspiration

Lindsborg has a rich history from the original Swedish settlers of the town. With the Smoky Valley schools nearby that proudly display a Viking as their mascot, it was only appropriate that this grand space deserved a larger-than-life reminder of the heritage many of the families in the town share. By adding a mural that displays the town's Swedish heritage with bright, eye-catching colors, I hope the people of Lindsborg will feel proud as they are able to stand in the hand of an ancestor.

The Plan

The planned design has been approved by the building owner and the City of Lindsborg Design Board. Once we have the funds, we will be able to hire an outside contractor to clean and prime the wall. Hiring someone to prep the wall will save us time in the long run so we can carefully map out the design to make sure the perspective is correct for someone to look as though they are standing in the Viking's hand.

The Budget

Raising $27,000 will account for materials (paint, brushes, top coat), equipment (lift, pressure washer), labor (done by myself, my wife and an outside contractor for priming the wall), and fees (taxes, GoFundMe).

*Note: due to a generous donation of equipment valued at $4,000 our goal is now $23,000.

The Why

Lindsborg is a small town with a great appreciation for the arts, and I would be honored to give my new home a great artistic piece for all to enjoy. Having family and Swedish roots in this town, I want to show everyone who visits this small Swedish town that the people of Lindsborg have generosity, passion, spirit and love that is larger than life.

Risks and Challenges

The main risk is the weather conditions. Because this mural is outside, I will only be able to work when the right conditions are met. To overcome this, we have opted for a flexible timeline. Once funds are collected and weather conditions are ideal, we will begin work immediately. I will also be hiring an outside team to clean and prime the wall so I can have my full focus on the design. Having a flexible timeline to complete this mural will also account for any paint problems, equipment failures, or other unforeseen life circumstances.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this project, please do not hesitate to email me at [email redacted]

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