Bristol Library Children’s Department Unveils Murals

By Gary Gray
Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: November 21, 2008

BRISTOL, Va. – After 13 months of pouring his heart into larger-than-life depictions of Appalachia, and cultural symbols identifying other parts of the world, artist D.R. Mullins took a few steps back and let the unveiling begin.

“5,4,3,2,1 …” about 100 children and adults shouted Thursday at the Bristol Public Library Children’s Department as the curtains were pulled back and Mullins’ “Cultural Narrative Mural” made its debut.

“That’s really too big!” T.J. Williams, a rambunctious 8-year-old from Bristol, Va., announced to the crowd as he cranked his neck upward while viewing one of the murals. “How does someone paint that? It’s cool. I like the whole thing.”

Mullins, 50, a Shady Valley, Tenn., resident and former Barter Theatre head designer and scenic artist, was commissioned by the BPL Foundation in May to design two large, eye-catching murals and a half-dozen smaller ones.

The foundation has been seeking art work to grace the Children’s Department, which has both a visual and educational appeal. The Foundation raised about $35,000 to fulfill that goal.

The “Appalachian America” mural features a myriad of characters and scenes, including mountains, valleys, strange-looking fish and a one-eyed guitar picker who appears to be wearing a pair of “retro” Converse tennis shoes.

The other large mural, painted with acrylics on tempered Masonite, includes six separate international settings: Europe, Latin America, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and East Asia. 

“I put a clock on each mural that will have the times in that part of the world,” Mullins said. “It gives you the ‘now.’ I tried to find a happy medium between realism and animation.

“Kids love imagery. And, there’s a certain amount of historical sophistication behind it. Hopefully it sparks them [kids] to do a little research on the different cultures.”

Mullins said that by looking at the vibrant scenes, viewers can find something new and identifiable each time the art is viewed.

Riley Felf, 8, from Bristol, Va., offered this introspective analysis of Mullins’ work: “I like the dragon – and the ship,” he said as he pointed at the objects. “I see a possum. I see turtles.” 

The murals were unveiled in front of library board members and constituents of the library in the Tri-Cities area.

“Illustration and art are very important – as important as growing up with children’s books,” library Director Jud Barry said. “The library board decided we wanted to have a theme, and that theme is ‘Going Somewhere.’ D.R. Mullins responded with something we just could not pass up, and it’s been a delight to work with him.”

Notable landmarks include the Middle East’s Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Mt. Fuji in East Asia and Machu Picchu in South America.

“I hope the mural will stimulate a child’s imagination and creativity,” Mullins said. “But most of all I hope it leaves them happy and inspired.

To see the work, visit the Bristol Public Library Children’s Department at 701 Goode Street, Bristol, Va. For more information, visit http://www.bristol-library.org.

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