The stage area near the center of the alley project is nearing completion! With the stage wall and stone steps in place, the floor was poured on Sept. 27. Supervising the crew were Eric Zichterman, Project Manager and President of Central States Concrete (left), along with Dillon Feldman from the City’s Engineering Department (right). The stage wall, donated by Ryan Companies, will receive a skim coat over the concrete blocks in preparation for a mural painted by Cecilia Lueza. In compliance with historic preservation guidelines, Marion’s Artist Selection Panel considered no painting on brick or masonry walls, making this the only mural commissioned for the alley project.

Midnight Wonder, the mural to be painted for the stage wall, is inspired by the concepts of innocence, history, community and freedom. The design depicts a girl holding a small box from which a flock of beautiful native Iowa birds find their way to freedom. The mural’s background is black in order to create a stark contrast against the colorful birds in flight. The purpose and meaning of this artwork is to create a focal point, a gathering place where creative expression and friendships are nurtured.

Argentine-born, American-based artist Cecilia Lueza studied visual arts at the University of La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Today, she is well known for creating vibrant public art pieces in a range of media including painting and sculpting with wood, metal, and ceramics. The artist’s recent body of work explores different states of mind through transformation, fantasy and nature.

Website:  www.lueza.com