Guide to the Wiregrass Festival of Murals Records

Record Group 130

 

Date Span: 1992-2010

Extent: 2.5 cu ft

Organizational Sketch: In the summer of 1992, Larry & Sue Register and Felton & Jean Woodham visited the town of Chemainus, British Columbia, Canada, where they discovered a series of thirty-two skillfully executed murals that depicted the history of Chemainus and the surrounding area. Returning from their vacation, the Registers suggested to Don Fabiani, Executive Director of the Dothan Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, that a similar project would benefit downtown Dothan and the Wiregrass region.  Larry Register, a former mayor of Dothan, also contacted The Downtown Group because of its mission to preserve and enhance the old central business district in Dothan.  The principals involved successfully invited Karl Shultz, who led the Chemainus effort, to lead a mural project workshop in Dothan.

The City of Dothan, Dothan Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Group endorsed the Wiregrass Festival of Murals project.  The Wiregrass Festival of Murals expects to fund a total of 30 murals prepared by nationally and internationally recognized artists.  

The primary objective is to encourage and stimulate the growth of the local economy through the development of tourism while providing a catalyst for downtown redevelopment, as well as enhancement of the cultural arts community and a documentation of the history of the region.

In 2010, the Wiregrass Festival of Murals ceased operating as an independent agency affiliated with The Downtown Group and became a committee of the Wiregrass Museum of Art.

See also Wendell H. Stepp Papers, RG 110; Wiregrass Museum of Art Records, RG 127; Doug Purcell Papers, RG 143.

Scope / Content:  Documents the founding and operations of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals as well as detailing the creation of each mural.  Administrative records include governing documents, meeting minutes, financial documents, information on relations with The Downtown Group, and general files.  Files on mural design and creation include copyrights, award letters, contracts, mural renderings, research materials providing background for murals, narratives, grant information, the transparencies used for the mural wall projections, artist information, correspondence, mural prints and event posters.

Organization: Organized into 2 series with corresponding sub-series, as follows:

Series 1—Administrative Records, 1992-2010 [61 Total Files & 1 Plaque]: Documents the various functions required to create the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Organized into 6 Series.

• • Subseries 1.1--Organization, 1992-1997 [9 Files]: Documents activities necessary to establish the Festival of Murals. Contains forms to and from the IRS establishing the Festival of Murals; charter documents, such as by-laws; articles of incorporation and dissolution; contracts granting easements to paint the murals; copyright information such as certificates of registration; funding contracts; and National Register of Historic Places - nomination forms. Arranged alphabetically by file title.
  • Subseries 1.2--Meeting Minutes, 1992-1999 [8 Files]: Documents the various committees that decided the topics, location, funding, and management of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Contains minutes and agendas for various committees on the Wiregrass Festival of Murals, includes Board of Directors, Mural Project Committee, Subject Committee, Ways & Means Committee. Arranged by committee.
  • Subseries 1.3--Finances, 1992-1996 [14 Files]: Documents steps taken to fund Festival of Murals. Contains grant applications and awards; bids; donations; bank records; expense and repair reports creating and preserving murals. Arranged alphabetically by file title.
  • Subseries 1.4--Downtown Group, 2004-2007 [8 Files]: Documents the activities of the original parent organization of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Contains certificates; correspondence; information on special events; newsletters; budgets and membership lists. Arranged alphabetically by file title.
  • Subseries 1.5--General Files, 2005-2010 [22 Files]: Documents the history of Dothan area, the history of the Mural Project and the various promotional celebrations. Contains facts about Dothan and the Downtown District; publications about the Mural Project, information on other mural cities, such as Chemainus, B. C., Portsmouth, OH, and Stubenville, OH; reference material for murals; publications; memos; and miscellaneous photos. Arranged alphabetically by file title.
  • Subseries 1.6--Awards, 2009 [1 Plaque]: Documents achievements of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Contains awards presented to the Wiregrass Festival of Murals.

Series 2—Mural Creation, 2002-2007 [54 Total Files & 8 Oversized items]: Documents the individual murals of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals and the steps needed to create each one. Organized into 2 Series.

• • Subseries 2.1--Murals, 2002-2007 [30 Files]: Documents the creation of the individual murals in the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Contains information on the murals provided by the Festival of Arts events; copyrights; award letters; contracts; mural renderings; research materials providing background for specific murals; narratives; grant information; the transparencies used for the mural wall projections; mural prints and event posters. Arranged by mural in the order of their creation.
  • Subseries 2.2--Reference Materials, 2002-2007 [24 Files]: Documents information used to create the murals that was not directly connected to a specific mural. Contains artist resumes; correspondence; contracts; mural locations; postcards with mural images; information on potential murals; and reference materials offering background information on the mural subjects. Arranged alphabetically by file title.

Access/User Limits? Open per Donor Agreement (Wiregrass Museum of Art)

Date: 1/14/2013

Processed by DS

 

Inventory

 

Series 1—Administrative Records, 1992-2010 [61 Total Files & 1 Plaque]: Documents the various functions required to create the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Organized into 6 Series.

Subseries 1.1--Organization, 1992-1997 [9 Files]: Documents activities necessary to establish the Festival of Murals. Contains forms to and from the IRS establishing the Festival of Murals; charter documents, such as by-laws; articles of incorporation and dissolution; contracts granting easements to paint the murals; copyright information such as certificates of registration; funding contracts; and National Register of Historic Places - nomination forms. Arranged alphabetically by file title.

File I.D.                            File Label

130-12-0625-001-001     [Agency Funding Contract - Dothan Area Convention & Visitors Bureau]

130-12-0625-001-002     Articles of Incorporation, 8 Dec 1992

130-12-0625-001-003     Articles of Incorporation - Amendment, 1993

130-12-0625-001-004     By-Laws - 501 (c) (3)

130-12-0625-001-005     Certificate of Dissolution, 24 Sept 1997

130-12-0625-001-006     Contract Granting Easement for Murals, 1994

130-12-0625-001-007     Copyright - Murals - Certificates of Registration

130-12-0625-001-008     National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Forms

130-12-0625-001-009     To & From IRS

 

Subseries 1.2--Meeting Minutes, 1992-1999 [8 Files]: Documents the various committees that decided the topics, location, funding, and management of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Contains minutes and agendas for various committees on the Wiregrass Festival of Murals, including Board of Directors, Mural Project Committee, Subject Committee, Ways & Means Committee. Arranged by committee.

File I.D.                            File Label

130-12-0625-001-010     [First Meeting of the Board of Directors of Wiregrass Festival of Murals, Inc.]  [Dec 15, 1992]

130-12-0625-001-011     [Wiregrass Festival of Murals - Board of Director's Meeting Minutes]  [Mar 1993-Aug 1994, Feb 1996-Jan 1999]

130-12-0625-001-012     Mural Committee - [mural examples & sketches]

130-12-0625-001-013     Mural Project Committee - Meeting Minutes, 1992-93

130-12-0625-001-014     Mural Project Committee - Miscellaneous

130-12-0625-001-015     [Ways & Means Committee Meeting Minutes, 1992-93]

130-12-0625-001-016     [Wiregrass Festival of Murals, Division of The Downtown Group - 1997 Meeting Minutes]

130-12-0625-001-017     Wiregrass Festival of Murals - Subject Committee Minutes, Oct/Nov 1992 & Feb-Apr 1993

 

Subseries 1.3--Finances, 1992-1996 [14 Files]: Documents steps taken to fund Festival of Murals. Contains grant applications and awards; bids; donations; bank records; expense and repair reports creating and preserving murals. Arranged alphabetically by file title.

File I.D.                            File Label

130-12-0625-001-018     Arts Alliance Tab   [Donation Certificates]

130-12-0625-001-019     Contributors

130-12-0625-001-020     [Deposits  Feb. 12, 1993-Aug. 25, 1995 & Check Stubs  Jan. 22, 1993 - June 30, 1993 & Aug. 8, 1995 - March 4, 1996]

130-12-0625-001-021     F of M - Ways & Means

130-12-0625-001-022     F of M: Ways & Means - State Grant

130-12-0625-001-023     Financial Statements - 1993  -  Wiregrass Festival of Murals

130-12-0625-001-024     Historic Chattahoochee Grant

130-12-0625-001-025     Murals - 1995  Repainting - Finances

130-12-0625-001-026     Mural Bids

130-12-0625-001-027     WFM - Grant Applications

130-12-0625-001-028     [Wiregrass Festival of Murals - 1992-1996 Receipts]

130-12-0625-001-029     Wiregrass Festival of Murals   [Financial, 1994-95]

130-12-0625-001-030     Wiregrass Festival of Murals - Old Bank Statements  [1992-93, 1995-96]

130-12-0625-001-031     Took & Rickett - Expenses 1995

 

Subseries 1.4--Downtown Group, 2004-2007 [8 Files]: Documents the activities of the original parent organization of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Contains certificates; correspondence; information on special events; newsletters; budgets and membership lists. Arranged alphabetically by file title.

File I.D.                            File Label

130-12-0625-001-032     [Certificate - Downtown Group as 2004 National Main Street Program]

130-12-0625-001-033     Downtown Group Banquet, March '07   [CD]

130-12-0625-001-034     [Downtown Group committee list for Wiregrass Festival of Murals]

130-12-0625-001-035     [Downtown Group - Event Flyers/Pamphlets]

130-12-0625-001-036     Downtown Group - Members/Name Lists

130-12-0625-001-037     [Downtown Old & News - Fall 2004]

130-12-0625-001-038     [Letters to Cathy Cole, Downtown Group Director]

130-12-0625-001-039     [Sponsorship Packet for A Downtown Christmas]

 

Subseries 1.5--General Files, 2005-2010 [22 Files]: Documents the history of Dothan area, the history of the Mural Project and the various promotional celebrations. Contains facts about Dothan and the Downtown District; publications about the Mural Project, information on other mural cities, such as Chemainus, B. C. and Stubenville, OH; reference material for murals; publications; memos; and miscellaneous photos. Arranged alphabetically by file title.

File I.D.                            File Label

130-12-0625-001-040     [Address Labels/Name Lists]

130-12-0625-001-041     Alabama's Mural City Illustrated

130-12-0625-001-042     Chemainus, B.C.

130-12-0625-001-043     Cowpainters llc - [Peanut displays]

130-12-0625-001-044     Downtown Dothan: Plans for Renaissance

130-12-0625-001-045     [Downtown Dothan buildings]

130-12-0625-001-046     Dothan Magazine, Jan/Feb 2007

130-12-0625-002-047     [facts about Historic Dothan]

130-12-0625-001-048     For I Heard Them Say: An Alabama Odyssey   by: Barbara Ritch Jackson

130-12-0625-001-049     From the desk of Wendell Stepp

130-12-0625-001-050     Guide to Historic Downtown Dothan Alabama - [brochure]

130-12-0625-001-051     H. D. "Doc" Woodham

130-12-0625-001-052     [Miscellaneous papers & photos]

130-12-0625-001-053     [Mural Celebratory Events]

130-12-0625-001-054     Mural City ArtFest 2010

130-12-0625-001-055     Newspaper Articles

130-12-0625-001-056     Peanuts Around Town - Artist Information

130-12-0625-001-057     Portsmouth, Ohio Mural Project

130-12-0625-001-058     Proposed Park - Oates and Main Intersection

130-12-0625-001-059     [Stubenville, Ohio Report]

130-12-0625-001-061     ["Where Dothan Began"]

130-12-0625-001-062     Wiregrass Arts & Entertainment, Summer 05, Winter 06-07

 

Subseries 1.6--Awards, 2009 [1 Plaque]: Documents achievements of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Contains awards presented to the Wiregrass Festival of Murals.

File I.D.                             File Label

130-12-0625-001-063     Attraction of the Year Award 2009 - Presented to Wiregrass Festival of Murals

 

Series 2—Mural Creation, 2002-2007 [54 Total Files & 8 Oversized items]: Documents the individual murals of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals and the steps needed to create each one. Organized into 2 Series.

Subseries 2.1--Murals, 2002-2007 [30 Files]: Documents the creation of the individual murals in the Wiregrass Festival of Murals. Contains information on the murals provided by the Festival of Arts events; copyrights; award letters; contracts; mural renderings; research materials providing background for specific murals; narratives; grant information; the transparencies used for the mural wall projections; mural prints and event posters. Arranged by mural in the order of their creation.

File I.D.                             File Label

130-12-0625-002-001     A History of The Downtown Dothan Group's Wiregrass Festival of Murals, Book 1 of 3          [Murals 1-5]

130-12-0625-002-002     A History of The Downtown Dothan Group's Wiregrass Festival of Murals, Book 2 of 3          [Murals 6-10]

130-12-0625-002-003     A History of The Downtown Dothan Group's Wiregrass Festival of Murals, Book 3 of 3          [Murals 11-13]

130-12-0625-002-004     Salute to the Peanut Industry - reference materials

130-12-0625-002-005     Salute to the Peanut Industry - [Southland Debit Card]

130-12-0625-002-006     DeSoto's First Encounter with the Wiregrass Natives [Spanish/Indians] - reference materials

130-12-0625-002-007     The Abduction of Elizabeth Stuart Dill - reference materials & information on Dill House

130-12-0625-002-008     Ft. Scott - reference materials

130-12-0625-002-009     Johnny Mack Brown - Mural Projections [transparencies]

130-12-0625-002-010     Chief Eufaula - research materials

130-12-0625-002-011     Chief Eufaula - Mural Projections  [transparencies]

130-12-0625-002-012     Dothan Riot - research materials & correspondence

130-12-0625-002-013     [Godwin Dispute - "Dothan Riot" Mural]

130-12-0625-002-014     Tribute to Sherman Rose and the Tuskegee Airmen - [autographed prints]

130-12-0625-002-015     Fort Rucker - [research materials & mural description]

130-12-0625-002-016     Fort Rucker - [mural prints]

130-12-0625-002-017     Women's Mural - Contract

130-12-0625-002-018     Women of the Wiregrass - Mural Background Info

130-12-0625-002-019     Women of the Wiregrass - Women's Mural 2002, Sponsorship Package

130-12-0625-002-020     Women's Mural Grants

130-12-0625-002-021     Women's Mural - [supply pricing]

130-12-0625-002-022     [Women's Mural Committee Correspondence]

130-12-0625-002-023     Women's Mural - Artist's Interpretation

130-12-0625-002-024     Women's Mural - Resumes for Artwork

130-12-0625-002-025     Women's Mural Proposal

130-12-0625-002-026     Proposal for "Women of the Wiregrass" Mural - "Nurturing Paths,"  [Gayle Nelson]

130-12-0625-002-027     Proposal for "Women of the Wiregrass" Mural - [Judith Huey]

130-12-0625-002-028     The Steamboat Era - reference materials

130-12-0625-002-029     AME Church [Cherry St. A.M.E.] - Thank you letters to Donators

130-12-0625-002-030     Timber & Turpentine - [research for the Early Commerce Mural]

130-12-0625-O/S-001     Framed print - Foster Street, Looking North, Dothan, Ala.

130-12-0625-O/S-002     Framed print - Aerial view of Dothan

130-12-0625-O/S-003     Certificate - Dothan Main Street Commercial District added to the National Register of Historic Places

130-12-0625-O/S-004     Print - Chief Eufaula Mural

130-12-0625-O/S-005     The Train Mural - background information poster

130-12-0625-O/S-006     Posters - WFM Celebration of the Arts, May 1-5, 2007 & WFM Street Fest, May 5, 2007

130-12-0625-O/S-007     Poster - Cherry Street A. M. E.

130-12-0625-O/S-008     Poster - Salute to the Peanut Industry

 

Subseries 2.2--Reference Materials, 2002-2007 [24 Files]: Documents information used to create the murals that was not directly connected to a specific mural. Contains artist resumes; correspondence; contracts; mural locations; postcards with mural images; information on potential murals; and reference materials offering background information on the mural subjects. Arranged alphabetically by file title.

File I.D.                             File Label

130-12-0625-002-031     Art Rosenbaum  [Resume]

130-12-0625-002-032     Artist list - Letters, Mural list - [call for proposals, resumes, artist lists]

130-12-0625-002-033     [Background on Murals]

130-12-0625-002-034     Bricks - Phase II

130-12-0625-002-035     Charles M. Svob  [Resume & Correspondence]

130-12-0625-002-036     [Civil War Mural - Boy Scout Eagle Project]

130-12-0625-002-037     Contracts  [Agreement & Award]

130-12-0625-002-038     [Miscellaneous Mural research materials]

130-12-0625-002-039     [Mural Narratives]

130-12-0625-002-040     Mural Project - Correspondence

130-12-0625-002-041     Mural Walls  [Mural Locations]

130-12-0625-002-042     Mural Wall [Preparation]

130-12-0625-002-043     Murals - Dothan

130-12-0625-002-044     Murals - [Postcards]

130-12-0625-002-045     Paddy Carr

130-12-0625-002-046     [Resume - Cheryl Mann Hardin]

130-12-0625-002-047     Sam Dale

130-12-0625-002-048     Wiregrass Festival of Murals - A Celebration of the Arts, Historic Downtown Dothan, May 2 - 6 [2006] & May 1 - 5 [2007]

130-12-0625-002-049     [WFM - A Celebration of the Arts]

130-12-0625-002-050     [WFM - A Celebration of the Arts - Event Account]

130-12-0625-002-051     Wiregrass Festival of Murals - August '95

130-12-0625-002-052     Wiregrass Festival of Murals - [miscellaneous]

130-12-0625-002-053     The Wiregrass Festival of Murals - Walking Tour, 2005

130-12-0625-002-054     Wiregrass Festival of Murals "white paper"  ["Art and History to Reshape Dothan's Future" by Doug Purcell]

 

Contact Us

Wiregrass Archives
Troy University Dothan Campus
Everett 128
502 University Dr.
Dothan, AL  36303

Phone: 334-983-6556 x21327
Email: wiregrassarchives@troy.edu