93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
The Columbia City Council is holding a public hearing on Oct. 1 about a proposed mural.
The mural says “THERE ARE NO PASSENGERS ON SPACESHIP EARTH, WE ARE ALL CREW.” It’s funded by a grant aligned with Science Rising, a group which says on its website “is a nationwide mobilization effort taking place throughout 2018 in the run-up to the midterm elections.” The $10,000 came from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
The orginial proposal called for it to go along a retaining wall near Old Highway 63. But it was changed because it needed additional planning time to meet requirements for special events during painting. Now it’s planned for the MKT Trail underpass on Elm Street.
“The proposed design highlights the importance of science throughout our daily lives,” it says on the Resident Arts website based out of Columbia. “Through discussions with our partners and working together as a design team it became apparent that the work of science is everywhere, that it permeates our daily lives in ways we do not often think about.”
Columbia resident Polly Blomenkamp says she agrees with the message of the mural, but has concerns about the city’s involvement.
“It doesn’t matter whether I agree or disagree with this. This is a billboard in an unsafe, inappropriate area backed by a politically-motivated organization, and it doesn’t belong on a public wall,” Blomenkamp said when the mural was still being considered for Old Highway 63.
You can learn more about the mural during a meeting Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 at the Walton Building on South Providence.
The Wake Up Columbia interview with Blomenkamp (before the proposed mural was moved to Elm Street):
