Salina Kanvas Project is only beginning, but it's already accomplished so much.
Travis Young began his mission of bringing unique art to Salina over three years ago, after several years of living abroad. It was in Europe that he noticed how young people were drawn to unique art such as murals, statues, and the like, giving the towns a tourism draw.
After years of planning, many phone calls, and lots of emails, Young was able to bring in world-famous artist Guido van Helten, from Australia. Van Helten is known for his larger-than-life mural paintings on dams, silos, and other massive structures. Thanks to the efforts of Travis Young, the Salina Kanvas Project, and private donors, Guido can also add painting a grain elevator in the middle of Kansas to his accomplishments.
The mural is located on the H. D. Lee Mill, at 343 N Santa Fe, in Downtown Salina. Guido arrived in Salina this past Summer. After spending a few days getting to know his hosts, he got to work.
While Guido's final goal was a mural, to start he needed to take pictures. These weren't just any pictures, however. Van Helten got the ultimate tour of Salina, visiting the Salina Youth Symphony, Smoky Hill River Festival, Downtown Salina, North Town, Salina Art Center, Bill Burke, and even KKOA Leadsled Spectacular. He spent hours taking pictures of these events and the people surrounding the love of Salina, in hopes to gain a better view of what Salina was truly about.
This process is normal for Guido. He arrives on the job site and spends time with the people of the community, albeit behind a camera, to gain a deeper understanding of his subjects.
Although, as Guido began piecing these photos together, Travis Young says that something began to become clear. Painting a mural of different groups wasn't going to make sense on this project, because it didn't encompass the true spirit of the town behind it.
Instead, Guido wanted to go in a different direction. One that didn't involve the pictures, but still put meaning on the Mill. So, the project began. Guido and fellow artist Ian spent over sixty days on a boom lift, applying paint to an empty canvas. Spectators were allowed to drive by, walk by, and sit and stare, as the color slowly started to take shape into what Guido saw Salina be.
After August and September, through rain, shine, and even a hail storm or two, viewers could finally see a finished project.
Kids. Holding hands and playing a simple childhood game. The kids aren't fancy, they're just kids. And, that's what matters. Because, the one thing that Guido noticed through all the places he visited and the people that he met, and the events he attended, is that Salina is a great place to raise a family.
In all this beauty, there is also a myth about art. That is, that everyone expects a piece to mean something particular. While Guido truly did take pictures of Salina at large, the mural doesn't necessarily depict a certain time or place that he visited. Instead, it's a feeling.
Travis says that Guido kept all of the pictures he took. With that being said, van Helten hopes that he can return to Salina in the early part of 2022 to bring back the picture collage in book form. Travis would like to display the book of pictures within the Salina Art Center.
In the meantime, the H D Lee Mill is not quite finished. Historically, a sign was atop the mill, lit up to show the builder's name, H D Lee. The sign was removed late this Summer and is currently being refurbished and rewired with the help of a local company, which has expertise in the matter. Once finished, the sign will sit atop the flour mill to light up the Salina night sky once again.
Travis also hopes that Salina Kanvas Project isn't finished bringing artists in, to continue making Downtown Salina a unique stopping point on the tourism list. He's currently in different stages of talks with artists who can add their meaning of art to an already fabulous place, that of Downtown Salina.
