Colorful mural has replaced dull brick and graffiti

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) - For years, Harter House residents just had to stare at the blank, drab wall.

Then they had to stare at graffiti.

"Sometimes not very appropriate graffiti," facilities manager Linda Harshman said. "Now, if they were doing artwork, that would be one thing."

Instead, the people living in the south side of the building could often see crews cleaning up or repainting the back wall of their neighbor, Liberty Bail Bonds, 130 E. Seventh St.

But now residents of United Faith Housing's Harter House can look at the bright colors of a new mural next door.

"From the day I walked in here 37 years ago, there was this wall that I thought could convey a message somehow to the community," United Faith Housing President and CEO Robert Reeder said. ". That (it) would be for our community down here, but also a positive, uplifting visual for the residents, especially for residents on the south side."

After mentioning the graffiti problem to Anderson Economic Development Department's Levi Rinker, Harshman got connected with artist Tanner Lemon.

Harter House worked with Liberty Bail Bonds to get a plan in motion, and within six months, Lemon completed his work.

The mural depicts a swirl of colors and a face looking past darkness and at the world, followed by swatches of color.

The mural is called "Wisdom in Sight," and the images are open to the interpretation.

"Is it the spirit of the Indian looking out at the city? Is it the elderly, our seniors here?" Harshman said. "I don't know, truly, and I think everyone will have a different opinion when they look at it."

The mural was completed over the summer, and since then, residents have raved about the artwork. Harshman said walkers on the White River Trail often see it and come closer to look at it or snap photos.

Some people interpret the face as a man, woman, elder or Native American. Others may look at the use of color differently from their peers or may walk away with a different message.

It accomplishes Reeder's desire for conveying something - many things - to the community.

"What you see might be how you're feeling that particular moment and you can let your eyes just drift into it where you see the nose, the mouth, the eyes," he said.

Reeder believes the mural can also be used for a brief break to relax, mediate and imagine.

"Even for a moment you have a chance to reflect what this might mean - looking out to the larger world, right here in Anderson, Ind.," he said.

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Source: The (Anderson) Herald-Bulletin, http://bit.ly/1PnRdmJ

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Information from: The Herald Bulletin, http://www.theheraldbulletin.com