High School Students Brighten Downtown Clawson with Mural

Local high school students have brightened up the downtown area, painting a nature-themed mural on the exterior wall of .

The mural is one of the first steps in the effort to bring more art to Clawson.

junior Harley Brown created the original design and worked with students Eric Stephenson, Haley Ammons and art teacher Megan Homanick to paint it on Sunday and Monday. The DDA selected Brown's concept drawing from a pool of entries from other students.

"It adds a nice touch of greenery," DDA Director Joan Horton said of the painting, which includes a giant tree with a blue sky. 

Brown said she wanted her to drawing to brighten up the downtown area and reflect the scenery of Clawson.

"I think it’s a good idea; Clawson needs more art and visuals," Brown said.

Downtown business owner Dan Yell presented the idea to the DDA because the large parking lot behind Tease, near the northeast corner downtown, was in desperate need of color.

"I'm always looking for ways to make downtown better, in this case, trying to make it more beautiful," Yell said. "I think (the mural) is beautiful, very simple."

Yell said he donated materials to help the students with the project. The DDA will give cash awards to the student artists who painted the mural.

Horton said the DDA sponsored the mural project through its Business Assistance Grant Program, which funds downtown businesses that improve their building exteriors.

"We are very, very happy with the outcome," Horton said of the mural.

Check out coverage of Clawson's plan to host the and the a program that will to the community.