Annoucements

Pillars of Frederick Mural Dedicated

September 10, 2011

The Frederick Arts Council today celebrated the unveiling of the largest mural project in Maryland featuring Francis Scott Key and visionary leaders from Frederick’s past. The unprecedented public art project conceived by artist Yemi has received support from business leaders and residents who were motivated to preserve the area’s rich history and bring local attention and tourism to Frederick.

The 40 colorful portraits featured on the mural measure 175 feet by 8 feet and were installed on the building exterior of the McCutcheon’s manufacturing facility on South Wisner Street in Frederick. It is visible from Carroll Creek Linear Park and will continue to generate interest in Fredericks’s history. The inaugural 40 Pillars will be in place for a period of five years with a plan to update the mural with other local legends in the future.

“When Yemi approached us with his vision to create a historic mural and hang it on our facility, we thought it would be a nice use of our building to honor these visionary people and to bring a prominent work of art to Frederick that involves people learning about history, said Bob McCutcheon III, President of McCutcheon’s Apple Products. “ We’re proud to have our company name and building associated with this grand scale public arts project where everyone benefits from it on so many levels.”

 

McCutcheon’s Apple Products is a family owned and operated business and has evolved over four generations. William O. McCutcheon founded the company in 1938 and is prominently featured on the mural and companion book to be released next month.

 

“I’m very pleased to see this project come to life after working closely with prominent business leaders in the Frederick area and Frederick Arts Council to marry the history of the past with the present and to make the  Pillars of Frederick an art history centerpiece for the town,” said artist Yemi.  He continued, “The contributions made by people like Francis Scott Key, William McCutcheon, William Delaplaine, Dr. Ulysses Bourne, Claire McCardell and others will continue to inspire the community.”

 

The commemorative companion book published by Great State Publishing will be released featuring individual pages with portraits of Francis Scott Key and the Pillars of Frederick complete with biographies, photos and historical information. Legacy sponsors include M&T Bank and the Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.