New Towne Mall presents new mural made by local artist

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio - A new piece of local art was presented Thursday at New Towne Mall, a mural developed by local artist Wilma Mullet.

The mural presentation was attended by a handful of spectators, including New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day, who came to see the artist and the ribbon-cutting.

The mural is part of The Canvas Project, an organization that allows local artists like Mullet to showcase their art within prominent areas of Washington Prime Group town centers (like New Towne) around the country.

"Local artists make our community vibrant," said Justin Higgenbotham, General Manager at New Towne in a statement, "Their use of subjects, color, texture, and composition awaken a sense of curiosity and connection to the world around us. The Canvas Project supports our local arts culture while providing an opportunity for our community to grow together."

Mullet, formerly of New Philadelphia and now a Dover resident, is the Executive Director of the Tuscarawas Arts Partnership and was asked by the mall to develop the mural.

"They had the opportunity to work on a mural project and, they asked if I would like to be a part of it, and I said yes."

The finished mural includes images of bees and coneflowers, the latter of which is a native flower of Ohio, as well as a pollinator.

"Bees are very important," said Mullet, "They are very vital for our food chain, as well as our everyday lives. I wanted to come up with a design that could serve as an educational component, but also can fully engage and just be immersive and colorful for the building itself...for the community itself."

Mullet also added, "It's been great to see how that design just came together and is now the final project."

Mullet received a B.A. in Art and Religious Studies from the University of Mount Union (as well as a minor in Entrepreneurship), as well as a Master's in Arts Administration from the University of Akron.