The second of two large-scale outdoor murals has now been completed and installed on the side of the Twin Docks Market building that can be seen by eastbound travelers through the town.

The first mural, a 70-foot creation, was installed on the wall of the fire department building for westbound travelers to see. That mural focused on aspects of Findley Lake, past and present, such as the gazebo, the large anchor at the boat ramp, and a historical depiction of the Silver Spray steamboat, which used to ferry people across the lake.

The new mural continues the theme of Findley Lake, past and present. It depicts things such as a former skating rink and the Ship “n” Shore Snack Bar, as well as present-day recreational activities, such as boating and a rope swing attached to a tree limb overhanging the lake.

Local businessman Larry Gross, who spearheaded the drive for both murals, said that they give the village a dynamic, active appearance.

“I look at the mural and it looks like we are open,” Gross said. “When you see a mural, coming into town, instead of a bare, decaying wall, it just looks like we are open and that’s the benefit.”

Leanne Becker, who owns the September Moon Art Gallery on Main Street, said she felt the murals were a credit to the village. “I think it’s a great tribute to the town,” she said. “I especially like the rope swing because it has special meaning to me.”

One of the special features of the new mural is a depiction of the lake perimeter, Gross said.

“People are always asking how large the lake is and how far does it go,” Gross said. “This lays it out for them.”

This mural costs between $5,000 and $6,000. The first, much larger mural cost between $13,000 and $15,000. As with the case of the first mural, it was entirely funded by local sponsors, he said.

“One of the reasons this mural came to be was that we had so many people asking how to contribute after the first mural was finished,” Gross said.

Both murals were painted and installed by artist Ehren Knapp. Murals by Knapp can also be seen in Erie, Corry, and North East in Pennsylvania.

Knapp said he has been painting murals professionally for 15 years and has completed at least 40 throughout the Erie area.

“I always liked painting really big,” Knapp said. “I love seeing my stuff out there for everyone to see.”

Knapp said he begins a mural by sketching it on a transparency, and then projecting it onto a panel using an overhead projector. After he paints the panels in his studio, he installs them and gives them the final touch-up, he said.

Knapp said the second mural has already generated a lot of excitement in Findley Lake. “I’ve already had several people who have told me how nice it is to have another mural,” he said. “People are really appreciative of them.”

According to Wide Open Country, a media platform for country music and the country lifestyle, “small town murals are a historical attribute, a living piece of frozen history among the hustle and bustle of the present.”

The first large-scale mural in the United States was “La America Tropical,” created by David Siqueiros in 1932. It was painted on the wall of a building in Los Angeles.

Towns such as Franklin, Ohio, Circleville, Ohio, Welch, W.V., and Pontiac, Ill., draw thousands of visitors each year who come to see their famous “small town murals.” Philadelphia offers tours of its 3,000 wall murals.

Even closer to home, a traveler through Jamestown will notice several murals which have been painted throughout the city, especially featuring Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz.