Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

The Mural Capital of Texas — Breckenridge — has a new mural in downtown. The “Place to B” mural is located on the brick wall in the empty lot in the 200 block of West Walker Street, across the street from the Stephens County Courthouse.

It is a part of the latest Texas Midwest Community Network’s annual leadership project, which has been taken on by a group of four Breckenridge High School seniors, Joni Jackson, Jack McKay, Miley Roberts and Tim Newell.

The project includes developing the lot into a community-use space, which will include a seating area, a play area and the new mural.

The students worked with mural painter Lauren Aycock to develop the idea, and Aycock then painted the mural. Aycock has been working on the recent mural restoration project around Breckenridge for several months. The new mural includes the motto “The Place to B,” as well as images of a prickly pear cactus and a picture of Breckenridge from the early 1900s.

As part of the project, the students must raise funds to pay for the development of the space. Last month, Clear Fork Bank President Kevin Simmons helped kick off the fundraising when he presented the group with a check for $2,880 as a downpayment on the mural part of the project.

The plan for the space includes fences or railings, along with gates, that will be installed on the north and south borders of the area to help keep kids safe while they and their parents enjoy the space. The play area will include spaces for games, such as corn hole and horseshoes, and the seating area will include benches, picnic tables, shade sails and a grass wall.

In a video on the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page, Jackson said, “This isn’t about upgrading downtown; it’s about bringing our community together and creating a space where memories are made.”

To help with the fundraising for the project, the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation has pledged matching donations up to $12,000. That means, for every dollar (up to $12,000) that the group raises, the BEDC will donate a $1, doubling their money. Donations are being accepted through the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, 100 E. Elm St., or through the Chamber’s Venmo account, https://www.venmo.com/u/breckenridgetxchamber.

The students are working on the project with mentors Lisa Echols and Mindy West. The students will give a presentation about their project at a Texas Midwest Community Network conference, competing against students from other counties. The winners will receive a scholarship.

Breckenridge’s newest mural is located in the 200 block of West Walker Street, across from the Stephens County Courthouse. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: The new mural in downtown Breckenridge is part of this year’s Texas Midwest Community Network’s annual leadership project under the direction of Breckenridge High School seniors Joni Jackson, Jack McKay, Miley Roberts and Tim Newell. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)