Replacement of first mural finished

Jim Parker's steamboat mural on the side of Mollie's Cafe & Bar is now finished.

The mural now at 11 S. Spanish St. is Cape Girardeau's first mural on the riverfront, and is considered to be the work that started the tradition that led to the murals along the floodwall, according to the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

Artist Pat Barton of Sikeston, Mo., has spent the last six weeks dodging rainy weather and replacing the mural, which had to be moved from its original location at 116 N. Main St.

Margaret Dement, associate director of the arts council, said that Barton enlarged a copy of the original print of the mural to make a paper pattern. He transferred the art onto the wall by drawing it on the wall from the pattern, then filled in the color.

Parker, whose original design won a contest in 1986, said he was pleased with the way the mural looks at its new location. He recalled how in 1986 he came upon the idea that ended up becoming the city's first mural.

"I thought everybody else was going to have a boat or a barge," he said. "I selected Port Cape Girardeau because it's a very historical building."

Instead of a steamboat, he portrayed smokestacks and for the view on the other side of the river, he said he preferred a stylized rendition of foliage.

"I have no idea how any entries there were, but I was very pleased and honored the judges thought it was good," Parker said.

Rebecca Fulgham, executive director of the arts council, said the mural is a way of preserving some of Cape Girardeau's art history.

"Everybody involved is ecstatic about finding a new home for it," she said. "It's a wonderful location."

Mary Ann Kellerman, who owns the building the mural is now on, said she was pleased with the way the community came together to donate goods and services to make it happen.

"It looks fabulous," she said.