NORFOLK, Neb. — Monday, May 17 is the last day the Norfolk Visitors Bureau will be accepting applications for a large project to paint the city of Norfolk.
Traci Jeffrey, executive director of Visit Norfolk Area, supported this second revamping project as a way to boost business and pride.
The next step will be to start planning and painting the two new murals this summer — a project financially covered by Sherwin Williams and the businesses where it will be; Home Instead Senior Care and J. Allen Properties.
“It’s a great way for those artists to express themselves,” said Jeffrey. “And of course we as a tourism office love to see people go and take photos [of the murals] and post on Instagram or Facebook.”
A study by Americans for Hearts shows more than 35 million tourists travel to a state in the U.S. for the sake of seeing art per year. Jeffrey agreed it’s a great way to bring pride and business to Norfolk.
While business owners appreciate the burst of life and some have seen an increase in sales, some think it’s only one step in a bigger journey to create a vibrant shopping culture in Norfolk.
“I would love to see a culture of ‘open’ to appreciate the art,” said Rohn Wagner of The Brand. He wants stores to be open later hours and on Sundays so that people will have a reason to come see the art and shop around in their free time.
