New mural puts ‘Red Pride’ on full display

Residents are encouraged to show off their “Red Pride” by posing for pictures next to a new interactive mural commissioned through Newton Main Street.

The mural — which depicts an anthropomorphic cardinal, the slogan “RED PRIDE grows here,” a megaphone projecting the phrase “Go Cards!” and other words of encouragement — is located on the eastern wall of Cappy’s Tire & Auto Service in Newton, easily viewable from westbound traffic on First Avenue East.

Erin Yeager, executive director of Newton Main Street, said one of Main Street’s projects for 2021 is to add more artwork in the district. Last month, an interactive mural full of heart-shaped balloons was painted on the east exterior wall of Kayla’s Dance Company with the hashtag #HomeIsWhereTheArtIs.

Both murals were painted by Sommer Walton and were funded by an “angel donor,” Yeager told Newton News.

“When we come up with the vision of the mural we have to find the right building. When walking the district, Cappy’s building was the best fit for the ‘Red Pride Grows Here’ mural,” Yeager said, noting owner Bob McCormick has always been a big support of Red Pride in Newton.

Much like the #HomeIsWhereTheArtIs mural, the Red Pride Grows Here painting is interactive in nature and even has a place where visitors can measure their height. Yeager recommended parents visit the mural in the fall to measure their kids heights and then return in the summer to see their progress.

“You can stand beside the megaphone and act like you are screaming into it,” she said. “We want to see the folks of Newton show the Red Pride. Take your family, your group of besties, your friends, your coworkers or whatever group and go take a fun photo.”

If anyone wants to help fund future murals or other projects, Yeager encourages individuals contact her at Newton Main Street.

“With being in this town my whole life Red Pride is strong,” Yeager said. “We always rally together for this town, we support our schools and the athletes. Over the last 18 months, we have shown true Red Pride by supporting local businesses and helping out our neighbors and the community during the storm. Let’s continue to show Red Ride and our love for Newton.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com