On Saturday October 18^th, 2014, Flagstaff Mayor Jerry Nabours was the star attraction at the Orpheum Theater mural entitled “Sound of Flight”. The mural, painted by local artists Sky Black and Mural Mice R.E. Wall and Margaret Dewar has been a work in progress for the past three months. Described as a “Symphony of Color” by Shanto Begay, the mural depicts over 100 birds flying out of an antique grand piano in a burst of light. Phase one of the project received $25,000 in support from grass roots community donations and sponsors with an additional $10,000 committed to phase two, which begins next summer. A Crowd Funding campaign offered original art, prints, calendars and an opportunity to paint one of the birds on the wall.

Flagstaff Mayor Jerry Nabours and family members of Sky Black jumped at the chance to paint alongside the artists. As well as being the Mayor of Flagstaff, Nabours has a minor degree in art. Nabours commented that, “the city needs to invest more into projects like this…I had a fantastic time.” Throughout the day of painting, crowds of people gathered to watch as he flexed his painting skills giving him a sample of the support the community has for public art. Phase one of the “Sound of Flight” mural will be complete by the first week of November. Visit the mural, and if you like what you see, support phase two of the project by going to www.soundofflight.net and making a donation.