Art Wall at construction site adds beauty in Yellow Springs

New hotel will feature 28 rooms

When it was time to put up the safety fence around his Yellow Springs construction site, developer Jim Hammond decided it should reflect the town in which his new hotel was being built.

“Since the construction of the hotel is in the downtown business district I didn’t want the property to become an eyesore,” explains Hammond, whose family has lived in Yellow Springs for three generations. He and his daughter, Katie — who is fourth generation in Yellow Springs — are developing the 28-room Mills Park Hotel slated to open mid-2015. Hammond serve as owner/operator.

“I thought an art safety fence would look good — not to hide the property but to make it look nice for the summer,” Hammond explains.

He mentioned the idea to friends who directed him to the Yellow Springs Arts Council.

The result? An unattractive wooden fence has been transformed into a colorful art display now known as the Fence Art Gallery. Judging from the response of townspeople and visitors strolling by the fence last weekend, the unusual gallery is a big hit.

“This is awesome, just beautiful!” exclaimed Jayne Anderson of Piqua who was waiting for a restaurant table and decided to take a walk until it was ready. “This is a wonderful idea!”

Holly Underwood, office manager for the Yellow Springs Arts Council, is responsible for coordinating the Fence Art Gallery. She says sponsors paid $100 each for a panel, the artist received $80, the Arts Council the rest.

Hammond, along with his friend Randy Gifford, painted and primed the panels; the artists did the rest. The artwork ranges from realistic to abstract.

Thoughts from an artist, a sponsor

Robin Heise of Yellow Springs Heritage says she’s thrilled to be involved with the project and that the fence was a perfect fit for her organization.

“Yellow Springs Heritage is all about telling the history of the Village of Yellow Springs and The Fence Art Gallery is just a transitory piece of our history — transitioning this lot from a residential property to a historically-themed business property,” she says. “It was exciting to watch as each panel was installed knowing that each one is an artists’ representation of a particular organization.”

Heise is especially pleased with her own panel, created by artist Scott Stolsenberg.

“Scott really captured the essence of the organization,” she says. “Yellow Springs Heritage provides historical programming, genealogy research and walking tours and Scott even managed to incorporate our “mascot,” Wheeling Bear!”

Overall, Geise says, she believes that the project is a reflection of the rich and diverse organizations that are proud to call Yellow Springs their home.

Artist Tricia Tallman says she loves public art and wanted to be part of the fence project as soon as she heard about it.

“My sponsor is the Import House and I was inspired by esoteric geometry and specifically the “seed of life,” which is an ancient geometric design,” says Tallman, a painter and muralist who also teaches. “I’m glad to be part of a community that celebrates art.”

A boost for the town

Karen Wintrow, executive director of the Yellow Springs Chamber, says reclaiming the site with a building reminiscent of the Mills House adds “an incredible asset to the community.”

“The Art Wall is just the first example of how this property and this hotel owner will be integrated into the fabric of the community,” she says, adding that Mills Park Hotel will allow the village to have lodging facility that can house large groups that come to Yellow Springs. An attached conference facility will be available for weddings, corporate retreats and educational workshops and the complex will also include an exercise room, cafe/bakery, shop, banquet hall — and a large front porch.

More about Hammond

Hammond, a lover of the past who has also restored a carousel, old airplanes and the town’s Grinnell Mill Bed & Breakfast, says the hotel — with its Southern Colonial architecture — honors the residence of William Mills who helped to establish the village of Yellow Springs.

“He was responsible for getting the railroad and also getting Antioch College to come to town,” says Hammond, who says the original Mills House was behind Mills Lawn School and torn down in the 70s.

“Mills’ front yard was referred to as a park and was often open to the public,” Hammond explains. “This is where the name Mills Park came from.”

How you’ll find it

You can check out the art wall by stopping by the corner of East Limestone and Xenia Ave., just one block south of the heart of downtown Yellow Springs.

Learn more about the artists and organizations at www.ysartscouncil.org

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