Our “Raymond, Then and Now” Mural Project

After months of preparation, the Friends of Raymond’s mural wall on our historic downtown square is prepped and ready.

Mural artist Albert Smathers has applied his brilliant red-orange undercoat and has begun sketching and painting Raymond scenes of yesteryear. People have enjoyed dropping by and visiting with Albert as he paints.

Friends of Raymond extends a huge thank you those who have so generously donated and to friends who have shared their Raymond stories and photos.

A special thank you goes to Cornerstone Sponsors: Merchants & Planters Bank, The City of Raymond, Mary and Philip Kuhn, The Corner Market, Mayor Isla Tullos, The Raymond Garden Club, Amacker, Inc., James Mason, Ben Fatherree, Charles and Brenda Davis, Debbe Tillman and Mickey Roth whose donations at the very beginning helped get the project off to a great start!

For your donations and your enthusiasm, FOR says THANK YOU! For a complete list of donors, click here.

Merchants & Planters very generously underwrote the electrical work. The light fixtures were sponsored by a local business. 100% of other funds collected have gone into extensive brickwork and wall prep in advance of Albert Smathers painting the mural.

A dedication and other exciting activities are planned upon the completion of this beautiful addition to our town square.

A video history of the RAYMOND, THEN AND NOW mural courtesy of Jim Beall, Main Street friend and neighbor!

Walt Grayson’s Interview on WLBT

Focused on Mississippi: New mural in Raymond

RAYMOND, Miss. (WJTV) – Albert Smathers painted a mural in downtown Raymond a few decades ago, and he’s been asked back to do another one.

Smathers teaches art at Mississippi College, where he once studied art. He seems quiet and reserved. Not the kind of guy you’d imaging who goes around painting the town, but he’s doing it now.

Read More…. You can see the complete article here