Wright's 'sumac design' on Springfield house to become mural

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A famous Frank Lloyd Wright design will become part of downtown Springfield.

Artist Troy Freeman plans to paint the side of a building with a sumac design that provides the theme for the Dana Thomas House a few blocks away, designed by the renowned architect.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports (http://bit.ly/1OchYvJ) that Freedman calls the planned mural a "four-story homage" to Springfield, Wright and the state historic site built from 1902-04.

Freeman had planned a different stained-glass design but the Arizona-based Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation suggested the sumac and provided free rights to use it for public art.

Building owner Curtis Tillett provided funding for the project to Downtown Springfield Inc. A tenant bar plans a beer garden just under the painting.