If you are in or near Hays, KS you have to take the time to check out their murals! The murals in Hays, KS are brightening up the downtown area through the local initiative, "Brush the Bricks!"
If you have followed me you know that I am slightly obsessed with the mural movement that is happening across the country! Of course, I have taken the time to check out the murals in Manhattan, KS, Salina, KS, and Clay Center, KS, but a recent trip home made it a perfect opportunity to check out the Murals in Hays, KS!
Brush the Bricks is the mural movement in Hays, KS, and with 10 murals underway or completed they are well on their way to brightening up downtown Hays. The majority of the murals are painted by local artists Dennis Schiel. Most of the murals in Hays are easily walkable, but since it was 100+ degrees, it was a driving tour for my mom and me.
The first mural we stopped at is located on the North side of the Fox Theater. This mural is massive and was the first mural to my knowledge in Hays. Then we headed down Main street and stopped at the corner to take in the mural at the Good Book Store. Continuing down Mainstreet we found murals on Arc, The Golden Q restaurant, and a Glass supply store and then we headed to see the second massive mural on the S&W Supply building.
The most recent mural to be added is on the Midland Marketing building at 219 E. 9th. The mural painted by local artist Dennis Schiel is of a farmer, plowing his fields with his team and accented with Sunflowers, Milo, and Wheat.
On our way to grab lunch we stopped off to see the mural located on the North wall of the VFW that represents all five branches of the military, then last but not least we headed out to the Sternberg Museum and photograph the water tower with the two images, one for Fort Hays State University and one for Sternberg museum!
While some of these murals are not part of Brush the Bricks, I still wanted to include them, art is beautiful and tells a story. The Sunflower painted with, "for Henry," is one I found turning North on Main Street. It struck me, I could not find information about it and it made me wonder who was Henry and who painted it.
I look forward to keeping up with the new murals in Hays, KS unveiled by Brush the Bricks.
