There’s lots of buzz in downtown Raymond these days! Painting is about to begin on Friends of Raymond’s latest project, the downtown mural “Raymond Then and Now”.
You might have noticed the brick wall in the parking lot of M and P Bank at the corner of Main and Port Gibson Streets.
The brick wall, which is owned by M and P Bank, has been wonderfully refurbished with the help of master mason Kelvin Heard, and new lights have been installed and are on every evening in anticipation of the new mural. Professional painter Robert Swisher has done the finishing prep.
In the next few days, Albert Smathers, art professor at Mississippi College, will get the mural underway. He’s painted over 25 murals including the original Raymond mural. Here are some of his sketches.
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: M and P 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, and Mickey Roth whose donations at the very beginning helped get the project off to a great start!
So here is your opportunity to participate in this project and help us get it finished. If you can donate toward the Raymond Mural Project Fund, we would be forever grateful. Details are below. Your donations are tax deductible and Friends of Raymond is a recognized charity by the Mississippi Secretary of State. And thank you!
Please join Friends of Raymond as we enhance the beauty of downtown Raymond with our upcoming mural project:
Raymond Then and Now
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
The levels are as follows:
Brick & Mortar – Up to $100
Anchor – From $100 to $250
Column – From $250 to $500
Cornerstone – From $500 to $1000
All contributors will be listed on the Friends of Raymond website.
Donors of $250 and more will be acknowledged on the permanent brass plaque on the mural wall.
Please mail contributions to Friends of Raymond,
P O Box 1000, Raymond, MS 39154
Friends of Raymond is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Donations are tax deductible.