Georgetown unveils community-built mural at Historic Downtown site

Georgetown has unveiled “Our Place, Our Story,” a new public mural on the Elkhorn Pottery building that highlights the city’s history, agriculture and downtown identity. The project was led by the Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission and backed by ARPA funding, local partnerships and a donated wall space.

Why it matters: - The mural adds a new public art landmark to Historic Downtown Georgetown. - The project is designed to reinforce tourism, community pride and foot traffic in the downtown district. - Georgetown officials want the mural trail to become a larger part of how the city tells its story.

What happened: - Georgetown unveiled “Our Place, Our Story” on the north-facing wall of the Elkhorn Pottery building at 116 North Broadway. - The Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission led the project. - The mural was funded in part through American Rescue Plan Act allocations and local partnerships. - Building owner Judy Smith donated the wall space for the project. - Artist Chris Chappell was selected through a submission process conducted by the Tourism Commission. - Chappell completed the mural free-hand without stencils or a projector.

The details: - The mural includes imagery tied to bluegrass landscapes, agriculture, historic architecture and community life. - Smith called the building and the scene depicted in the mural “a significant part of Georgetown’s history.” - Lori Saunders, executive director of GSCTC, said the project reflects local business owners’ support for keeping Historic Downtown Georgetown vibrant and welcoming. - Chappell has 20 years of artistic experience. - Chappell’s murals can be found across Kentucky and often use a colorful style with mirrors. - Saunders said public art can transform a space, spark conversation and create a stronger sense of place. - Saunders said the mural is meant to become an iconic downtown landmark and a favorite photo spot for residents and visitors.

Between the lines: - The mural blends heritage branding with downtown placemaking, a sign Georgetown is using public art as an economic and civic-development tool. - The donated wall and local funding mix suggest the city is leaning on partnerships to expand its arts footprint. - The emphasis on a mural trail points to a broader effort to create repeat visitation, not just a one-time reveal.

What's next: - Georgetown plans to keep expanding its mural trail. - The Tourism Commission expects projects like this to help attract people to Historic Downtown Georgetown. - The city will likely use the mural as part of its wider public-art and destination-marketing efforts.

The bottom line: - “Our Place, Our Story” is both a celebration of Georgetown’s identity and a bet that public art can help drive downtown energy.