Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor
When the Alley Activation Project for the alleyway between the updated City Hall and the new Maui Melts location wrapped up, Western student McKenna Brinkman was tasked with painting a mural on the bare wall that hadn’t been touched by the project.
The project, funded by a grant from the AARP, aims to understand how the pedestrian alleyway can best serve the community. In two phases, the project seeks to incorporate peaceful, calming elements, while also providing an inclusive space and is part of the larger 2042 Downtown Improvement Plan. The 2042 Downtown Improvement Plan is what will guide city policy and planning over the next 20 years.
Brinkman, who goes by “Mick,” started the mural in October, after Maui Melts owners Graham and Ruthie had seen her chalk art in The Sippery, where she has worked since the spring of this year.
“One thing I’ve enjoyed about the job is getting to do all the art for the chalkboards,” Brinkman said. “A couple of my regulars (have) been coming in every day since they own and have been working on the new Maui Melts next door. We’ve gotten to know each other through conversations while I make their soy lattes.”
The mural — a painting of an enlarged longhorn beetle, which is native to Oregon — sits on a grey background on the east exterior wall of Maui Melts, facing Monmouth City Hall.
“Graham and Ruthie were extremely encouraging the whole way through the month-long process,” she said. “I think (a) cool experience I had while doing this mural was talking (with) locals who would ask about it.”
Brinkman has always enjoyed art, something she says was natural to her as a child. When she came to Western as a first-year, she started as a biology major, but after taking a drawing class, she switched her major to art and never looked back. “I’ve enjoyed every single art class I have taken in my time here,” she said. “There has yet to be a moment where I have felt burnt out with art.
“I love how this has further bonded me with the Monmouth community. I am happy to leave my mark, literally, on Motown.”
Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu
