Flickinger mural unveiled

ALAMOGORDO — The giant mural on the south side of the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts is completed and was made possible through the partnering of Alamogordo MainStreet and Patron’s Hall.

The new mural was unveiled Monday afternoon on New York Avenue.

Executive Director of the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts Jim Mack said the finished product looks amazing and can really be seen from 10th Street.

County approves mural on Flickinger Center building

Earlier in September, Mack asked Otero County commissioners for permission to have the mural painted on the side of the Flickinger at no cost to the county. The building is owned by Otero County.

“I think Justin and Angie did a great job and I think it’s really going to promote Patron’s Hall,” Mack said. “Hopefully it’s going to help draw more people downtown and bring them down for things going on down here in this area.”

Local artists Angie and Justin Nowell, a husband and wife duo, along with Alamogordo MainStreet Executive Director Cam Wilde painted the promotional piece in about a month’s span.

Wilde said they couldn’t have done it without the help of some volunteers who also dedicated time to painting the base coat of the mural.

“I immediately figured out that it was a much bigger job than we can do,” Wilde said. “That’s why I called these guys. I needed talented steady hands.”

Flickinger mural nearly completed

Otero Young Professionals Jake Roberts, Devin Mack and Jordan Pierce painted the yellow base coat with tools donated by Sherwin-Williams, 822 N. New York Ave.

Wilde, who is also a graphic designer, said his inspiration came from looking at other signs in other cities, especially St. Louis.

“I looked at a lot of cities that had ghost signs, especially like St. Louis. They have a lot of the old signs. I’m a graphic designer so I came into it with a little experience,” he said. “I designed and composed the piece months ago with input from Jim Mack. I had the type and designs printed at full scale by AC Print & Design and brought Justin and Angie Nowell on to help with the detailed work of painting everything you see within the yellow.”

Angie said she and her husband were very proud of the outcome.

Justin and Angie painted the large mural “Colors of Our Past” in downtown Alamogordo which is visible from White Sands Boulevard.

“We’re very proud of the outcome, it’s very bold and it’s a great advertisement,” Angie said. “It’s a completely different style than the one we just approached with the previous mural. It’s very bold and very graphic. We’re pretty happy with it, we like it. We like the colors that were chosen. The texture was a bit challenging though – it was rough brick.”

She said the artwork was also the tallest canvas they’ve ever worked on but were pleased they were able to do it.

“We had the patience level to make it look good. Justin is very good at working with heights. For me, that was a challenge for me,” Angie said. “I think the textured brick was an enhancement though. I think it will last a long time.”

Justin said they had a lot of fun with the project and would do it again.

“We had lots of fun and we’re yet again honored to be considered for a public project,” he said.

Alamogordo MainStreet dedicates 'Colors of Our Past' mural to community

Mack said he hopes to continue working with Alamogordo MainStreet to garner more excitement for the Alamogordo historic downtown district.

“I hope we can continue to do more things with Alamogordo MainStreet to buildings not just along New York but all the downtown district which encompasses a large area and get more excitement going for downtown Alamogordo,” Mack said.