Portrait of Macks Creek
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Portrait of Macks Creek is a free event to participate in a community-created mural inspired by the memories, experiences, and hopes of the people who call Macks Creek home.
Funded with public support from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, to Camden County Library District - Macks Creek Branch to engage Art Experience as the teaching artists and facilitators for the A Portrait of Macks Creek community mural project. The first two panels are currently displayed in the library and will be permanently installed soon! Panel 3 is framed and being touched up now. Panel 4 was painted on Reveal Day and ready for a little tweaking with the paint since we weren't able to finish completely and then will be framed. Install date coming soon! Please scroll to see pictures from earliest to latest developments. |
Thanks to the Lake Sun for promoting our project in the Thursday, Aug 13th newspaper. Click to read article
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Public Support by:
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Facilitated by:
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We had a great Listening Day on July 14th, 2026 at Mack Creek Library.
In attendance was 12 kids and 7 adults. During a light lunch, we led the room through an imagining exercise. Now having a moment to reflect from all the input we received, here's the current vision for the mural: The mural will follow a journey along the creek by kayak, carrying viewers through the landscape and stories of the community. Along the way, the artwork may include Whistle Bridge, fishing, float trips, wildlife, wildflowers, camping, baseball, school, churches, farming, local barber shops, the café, beloved gathering places, and meaningful pieces of Macks Creek history. Rather than separating the past, present, and future, the mural will bring them together in one living landscape. Historic places may appear alongside children kayaking, families picnicking, and neighbors enjoying life in Macks Creek today. Richard and Michele Fritz of Art Experience will design the mural using ideas shared by local children, families, library staff, and longtime residents. |
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July 22, 2026: Today we visited the library to say hello and check in. While there, Rich and I (Michele) made final measurements for the finished mural areas located along the top of the book stacks.
Then off to Rise and Shine for lunch. After, we headed to Whistle Bridge and talked with folks swimming and repairing a jet ski there. Plus, it was such a nice day; couldn't resist playing in the water! |
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July 24, 2026: Today we stopped at the Adult Active Center and had breakfast with the gang. Good time talking old stories, looking through the Macks Creek History book, and eating eggs and sausage. :)
Keith, a long time resident, told of many of the existing businesses he knew of growing up here. Jan talked about her time at the Macks Creek high school where the coach decided to sign the girls up for a regional volleyball league. Unfortunately the girls didn’t know much about volleyball - preferring basketball - yet went on to “really improve” and impress the other leagues by the end of the run. Joyce told us about the time her husband got pulled over by the police and ticketed for driving without tail lights at dusk. Problem was, he was riding a horse at the time. So later as a joke, Mr. Palmer's uncle fashioned him a reflector set for the horse's behind. (Article and the reflector set are featured in the slideshow) |
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Joyce and her husband ran Thompson’s station - a gas station that also sold supplies including whiskey and soda. She showed us a picture of the original building build in 1933.
After saying goodbyes and getting contact info so we can schedule a paint day at the Center with the folks and their grandkids, we headed back to Rise and Shine Cafe for an ice cream social, courtesy of Nick Sherrell - presiding commissioner. Had a nice time with Nick and Ivy Sherrell, and Nicks dad - a local farmer, business owner, and community leader - Jim Sherrell.
We also met Pastor John and Fern (who ran Klemm's Mercantile for years - a true, classic mid-century "one-stop" community hub in Macks Creek carrying feed, hardware, groceries, clothing, and fishing tackle.)
Fern and I talked about Flossie’s Cafe was where local farmers, loggers, and families gathered every single morning to swap stories, discuss the weather, and drink coffee. Fern said that Flossy let her work there as a young, washing posts and pans, eventually graduating to prep work (but still responsible for cleaning all those pots and pans. Flossy was a second mom to Fern - teaching her how to cook, encouraging her to be outgoing and be a waitress for the cafe - all the while serving as momma bear in case anyone got out of line with Fern.
John Young invited us over to talk with his Uncle, a kind and knowledgable man that shared the birthday with his great grandfather who owned the property that Von - at 94 yr old resides on today. With information dating back to the 1850’s, he told us all about the area and his adventures traveling every state in the U.S. except Alaska - despite meaning too. A well educated metallurgist, Von served the school board of Macks Creek for 12yrs. (5 elementary schools, junior high and high school)
He told us of his dad (a homesteader and fur trapper) hand digging a well to tap into the spring below the basement of the Masonic Lodge in Macks Creek.
There were sooo many stories told today. I’ll keep adding posts to this page when I’m able. Right now, we have to get started on designing the mural panels and get ready to paint with the kiddos at the library on Thursday and Saturday
After saying goodbyes and getting contact info so we can schedule a paint day at the Center with the folks and their grandkids, we headed back to Rise and Shine Cafe for an ice cream social, courtesy of Nick Sherrell - presiding commissioner. Had a nice time with Nick and Ivy Sherrell, and Nicks dad - a local farmer, business owner, and community leader - Jim Sherrell.
We also met Pastor John and Fern (who ran Klemm's Mercantile for years - a true, classic mid-century "one-stop" community hub in Macks Creek carrying feed, hardware, groceries, clothing, and fishing tackle.)
Fern and I talked about Flossie’s Cafe was where local farmers, loggers, and families gathered every single morning to swap stories, discuss the weather, and drink coffee. Fern said that Flossy let her work there as a young, washing posts and pans, eventually graduating to prep work (but still responsible for cleaning all those pots and pans. Flossy was a second mom to Fern - teaching her how to cook, encouraging her to be outgoing and be a waitress for the cafe - all the while serving as momma bear in case anyone got out of line with Fern.
John Young invited us over to talk with his Uncle, a kind and knowledgable man that shared the birthday with his great grandfather who owned the property that Von - at 94 yr old resides on today. With information dating back to the 1850’s, he told us all about the area and his adventures traveling every state in the U.S. except Alaska - despite meaning too. A well educated metallurgist, Von served the school board of Macks Creek for 12yrs. (5 elementary schools, junior high and high school)
He told us of his dad (a homesteader and fur trapper) hand digging a well to tap into the spring below the basement of the Masonic Lodge in Macks Creek.
There were sooo many stories told today. I’ll keep adding posts to this page when I’m able. Right now, we have to get started on designing the mural panels and get ready to paint with the kiddos at the library on Thursday and Saturday
July 30, 2026 - Paint Day 1
We had the best time creating the first panel that will grace the entryway of the library once installed. Check out the pictures to see the process.
Rich instructed on how to hold the paint brush, thin paint with water so you can paint a good line, and a host of tricks of the artist's trade. We talked to the kids about what we were painting and how the history of Macks Creek began.
We had the best time creating the first panel that will grace the entryway of the library once installed. Check out the pictures to see the process.
Rich instructed on how to hold the paint brush, thin paint with water so you can paint a good line, and a host of tricks of the artist's trade. We talked to the kids about what we were painting and how the history of Macks Creek began.
August 1, 2026 - Paint day 2
Even more fun as we completed panel #2. This one will be installed behind the librarian's desk.
Join us for our upcoming paint days on August 12th - 1-4pm and again on August 15th - 10am-1pm
Even more fun as we completed panel #2. This one will be installed behind the librarian's desk.
Join us for our upcoming paint days on August 12th - 1-4pm and again on August 15th - 10am-1pm
Wednesday, August 12th - paint day 3
Got the third panel painted, hooray! Check out Mr. Palmer riding his horse through town with the required reflectors for night riding.
Got the third panel painted, hooray! Check out Mr. Palmer riding his horse through town with the required reflectors for night riding.
Saturday, August 15th paint day 4
Panel 4 about halfway finished. We'll finish up this one on our
partial reveal day this Tuesday August 18th 2pm
Join us at the library to see two finished panels framed and installed.
Panel 4 about halfway finished. We'll finish up this one on our
partial reveal day this Tuesday August 18th 2pm
Join us at the library to see two finished panels framed and installed.
Behind the Scenes
Touch ups and framing in process back at
our studio in Linn Creek.
Touch ups and framing in process back at
our studio in Linn Creek.
August 18th, 2026: Reveal and Paint Day!
2 panels framed and completed (we need to get a library maintenance to move the suggestion box out of the lobby before installation). The 2 panels are currently displayed in the library and awaiting permanent installation. Panel 3 is framed and needs from touchup. AND the community got panel 4 almost completely painted.
2 panels framed and completed (we need to get a library maintenance to move the suggestion box out of the lobby before installation). The 2 panels are currently displayed in the library and awaiting permanent installation. Panel 3 is framed and needs from touchup. AND the community got panel 4 almost completely painted.