Blackwell gets new mural for police and fire

The Blackwell Police & Fire Department looks a lot more colorful now, thanks to an Oklahoma artist and Blackwell Tourism.

Muralist Simon Williams took on the challenge to show the first responders of Blackwell and throughout the country just how much they are valued.

After completing the grain bin barn quilt last summer- the towering American flag north Main Street – Williams was contacted by Blackwell Tourism to submit a proposal to “highlight the work of Blackwell’s first responders” using funds ear-marked by the Blackwell Community Foundation.

“When I was made aware there was funds designated for a mural, my thoughts immediately went to first responders,” said Williams, who has a history in public service all his own.

“My 35-year career with the Police Department in Ponca City ingrained within me a respect for all first responders,” he said.

“I can’t imagine a community being successful without first responders”, says Sherry Buellesfeld, Blackwell Tourism.

Simon came up with the design for sidewalk murals, some in 3D.

In addition to the grain bin quilt and the police & fire mural, Williams also painted the city’s logo on the side of the Blackwell City Hall.

“We’re incredibly thankful to the Blackwell Community Foundation, who has been helping our community for years in a variety different ways,” said Buellesfeld.

Williams, who lives in Talala, a community of about 270, has a degree in building inspection.

He contracts with smaller towns for inspections which allows flexibility in his schedule to pursue his passions of painting and photography.

He utilized both of his passions for this project including photography sessions to get the intricacy of detail as he worked out the 3Ddesign and completed the painting.

In addition to Police, Fire and ambulance service Animal Control and 911 Communications are included in the sidewalk art.

“It’s been quite a challenge,” said Williams, “but very satisfying to complete. It turned out to be a much longer project than I expected. The whole project took early 50 sessions to complete, which was around 10,000 miles of driving just to get there.”

“As with painting the grain bin, I was completely out of my comfort zone, as Id neither painted an anamorphic artwork before, nor painted on the sidewalk before. I didn’t know if the 3D effect would work effectively, it was just a theory I had in my head. I was confident, perhaps over confident, that id find a way to paint it, but I’m glad I did and I’m very happy with the final result.”

The more intricate details of Williams’ project at the Police & Fire Department can be found on his blog: SWilli.art