Murals a reflection of Bluegrass region, baseball history
The Legends, along with the Hurst Group and Saul Good Restaurant and Pub in Hamburg, have been working with LexArts, Lexington's cultural development, advocacy and fund raising organization, on the mural project since 2008. The project is designed to bring art to the public in the form of the highly visible murals at the three businesses. The ballpark murals are the first to be completed.
The murals at Whitaker Bank Ballpark were done by Esteban Camacho Steffensen of Portland, Oregon, who was one of the artists selected from more than 100 who responded to LexArts' call. The mural is displayed outside the ballpark near the main parking lot on the left field side. It contains a baseball scene with a Legends' player and another from the Lexington Hustlers, an African-American semi-professional team that was formed early in the 20th century and featured some of the Bluegrass region's finest athletes playing against the greatest stars of the Negro League era.
The murals also offer scenes depicting thoroughbred horses and the making of bourbon.
"As a muralist, my paintings bridge biology, sustainability and fine art," Steffensen said. "The murals at the stadium are a response to my first experiences living in Lexington: riding through the land, horseback riding, hiking, meeting people and living a month in the city. The project was a positive collaboration between all the people involved, including the LexArts staff, ballpark staff, neighbors and the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters youth."
Lexington youth who are part of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bluegrass had an opportunity to work with Steffensen as he completed the mural.
"They helped paint the mural from day one," Steffensen said. "This group process is by far the most rewarding element of creating a mural, because out of it a communal vision emerges , which in turn becomes an enduring artistic creation and public image of their values and mine."
"It was amazing seeing my little brother and his friends interact with Esteban throughout the entire process," said Legends General Manager Andy Shea, who is active in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. "They truly took on a sense of pride and commitment towards the murals. Along with the murals being breath-taking, that's what made this such a one-of-a-kind experience for me."
A photo gallery of the murals is available at http://lexington.legends.milb.com/gen/clubs/t495/photogallery/standard/year_2011/month_08/day_08/cf22929744.html