Community Mural to Grace Baileys Harbor

Nelson Shopping Center’s north wall will serve as the community mural’s canvas.

Murals are popping up on walls all over Wisconsin, and Baileys Harbor will soon feature this outdoor art. The Baileys Harbor Community Mural Project will celebrate the past, the present, the future, and the natural beauty of the town and feature words from Wisconsin poet Lorine Niedecker, who visited the Ridges in the late ‘60s and wrote a poem entitled “Wintergreen Ridge.”

Nancy Rafal, Baileys Harbor poet, met artist Ram Rojas in the fall of 2010 during the dedication of Rojas’s mural in the Schoolhouse at the Clearing in Ellison Bay. Next, Rafal located a wall – Nelson Shopping Center in Baileys Harbor. Rafal thought the north wall would be the ideal place for the mural project. Owner Gary Nelson and son Adam provided additional ideas, and the first two essential elements, artist and wall, were in place.

“The next puzzle piece was funding,” said Rafal. The Ridges Sanctuary got on board and offered help with grant applications. The Baileys Harbor Historical Society agreed to be the non-profit organization receiving contributions for the project.

According to Rafal, “This is the right time for the mural project and I wanted to see it get off the ground.” 2012 is the 75th Anniversary of the Ridges Sanctuary and a commemorative book will soon be available containing some of the poetry of Niedecker. In addition, the Poetry Trail at Newport State Park will feature Niedecker’s work from October 2012 through March 2013.

While there is much to be done before anything is seen on the wall, Rojas is currently developing sketches and learning about Baileys Harbor’s history. He is also looking into special mural panels, which will increase the mural’s longevity and durability. Rafal is working on grant writing and is speaking with county organizations about the project.

One “starter grant” has been awarded by the Woodrow Hall Jumpstart Award based in Madison, WI. This $400 grant was awarded for the poetry component of the mural.

Persons who wish to contribute to the Baileys Harbor Community Mural Project can do so by making a check payable to Baileys Harbor Historical Society-BHCMP and sending contributions to BHHS-BHCMP, PO Box 336, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202.

For more information about the project, contact Rafal at 920.839.2191 or via email at [email protected].