A new mural tucked away in a downtown Lafayette alley, commissioned as a 570-square-foot tribute to a Dutch still life and an early Lafayette family business, took shape on the back of the former Mulhaupt’s building in recent weeks.
Painted by an Indianapolis-based mural artist whose work includes giant portraits of author Kurt Vonnegut, Pacers legend Reggie Miller and the Indiana Avenue jazz scene spread across downtown Indianapolis, the work was conceived by Jason Tennenhouse, owner of 10 in House Strategy and Design and in on the founding of Greyhouse Coffee and MatchBOX Coworking Studio.
Here, Tennenhouse talks about the motivation and the meaning behind the mural, now appearing in an alley stretching from Main and Ferry streets, in the block between Fifth and Sixth streets.
Question: How did this project come about? How did you select the wall in that alley?
Jason Tennenhouse: It’s a wall that I’ve had my eye on for years, and now that I live in town more often I’ve decided to just do it. This alley sort of opens up in the middle, and the idea of coming upon an unexpected and hopefully inspiring piece seems like something that would happen in the sort of city I’d like to live in. Public art has an immediate beautifying and property value increasing effect, but over time it reduces crime and graffiti and leads to local pride. I’d hope this piece inspires the neighbors and those passing through to continue to further refine this little hidden enclave into something unexpected and beautiful.
Question: What’s the story about the design? What was the inspiration for that?