Chilton native James Barany will be creating 2 historical murals in Calumet County this summer. The first is currently under way at 40 W Main in Chilton and the other will be started at the end of July at 101 S Military in Stockbridge. These will be very large and will fill of most of the side of each building. “Large historical murals on old buildings are a perfect match.” James Barany said about the project. “People are going to have fun watching the murals develop. We invite everyone to come and see the process.” he added. James Barany, along with Interns, will be working all summer to complete these murals. James Barany is a Chilton native and professor of art at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. The interns are from Miami, FL, Brookfield, Neenah and Chilton, WI. Together they represent the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Maryland Institute College of Art, and UW-Stout. “These are talented and hardworking students.” Barany said. “I think it’s really special that a Chilton Alumnus, Olivia Bonlander, will be working on the murals as well as the educational portion in the schools”.
“These two murals will display the rich cultural heritage of Calumet County. They are dense with both history and art.” said James Barany the lead artist and the designer of this project. Each will feature real historical photos and events that are important to Chilton and Stockbridge history. This project is being sponsored by the Calumet County Historical Society. “We have the support of several excellent organizations in the area that were able to see James’ vision and were willing to support it. These organizations have funded the project and made them happen.” said Terry Friederichs President of the Calumet County Historical Society, “Without the Community Foundation-Bright Idea Fund, the Chilton Area Community Foundation and the Wisconsin Arts Board this would not be happening.” Friederichs added. After the building murals are completed, James and his staff will help with projects in the Chilton and Stockbridge schools. These projects will teach students how to design and create murals of their own. “The students will learn from the people that worked on the murals and hopefully will be inspired by them to be creative. They will learn what an impact art can have on society.” said Friederichs. Visit www.CalumetCountyHistoricalSociety.org/Mural to see more on this project.
