Artists Create Downtown Mural Honoring Town's History

Three artists are hoping to inspire others and change perceptions on aerosol art by a creating a giant mural in downtown Herndon depicting local history.

Bobby Moore, Erick Ricks and Dan Roncesvalles are painting the side of the historic Nachman building with recognizable scenes from the town's history, including the train that used to run through on the W&OD Trail, cheerleaders at Homecoming and more.

The group said the project got its start in November 2010 when Moore asked the town if there would be a way for them to use aerosol art at the skate park. While the town said it wasn't looking for traditional graffiti-type aerosol art, the Council for the Arts of Herndon found the artists' talents could be used for another mural project.

They started by seeing what the artists could do at —an aerosol art exhibit at the town's skate park. In late March the town approved the Herndon Past and Present Mural Project and the painting began in April.

Ricks said he has painted in a lot of places that no one will ever be able to see just to build up his skills to take on a project of this size. He said he likes being able to work with other artists to collaborate on the project as well. The trio has worked together on separate projects, but never on one mural project, he said.

Moore said the greatest part for him about working on the project is learning new techniques because of the texture of the wall. He said it has also been great to work in a public space and meet people who walk by and ask about the project. He said they have gotten a lot of positive feedback and the town has been very supportive.

Roncesvalles said he enjoys being able to use his creativity in a way that can be shared with the public. He said he hopes it has a positive impact on the community and gets others interested in art, or inspires someone else to go after something they're passionate about.

Ricks said this project is helping bring someone else's vision and taste in art to life, and they get to be the facilitators of that vision. Roncesvalles said he usually works on projects where you dont' see a reaction. He said a project like this gets a much wider audience and his ultimate goal is to reach people with art and inspire.