The original Wizard of Oz Yellow Brick Road mural was painted by local artist Rhea Ormond in 2008 on the building occupied by Something Special Gift Shop/Monkey Business Toy Store located at Academy Street and West Main Street in Burnsville, NC.
The original mural was peeling badly because it had been painted over decades of advertising signs. It was decided to have the brick sandblasted to create a new surface for Rhea to start the process of bringing the beloved mural of Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion back to life. While an exact reproduction of the original would be impossible there may be some surprises to look forward to in the new version!
Because the brick is now porous after the sandblasting, it needs several coats of paint, which is very costly, and the biggest expense is a lift that will cost $400 a day to rent. Rhea says the mural project could take several months to complete and that she is thrilled to begin a project that has been loved by so many.
Rhea is volunteering to do the mural, however, there will be many expenses so we are asking the community for help to get this project “over the rainbow” through crowd funding.
The mural has been a favorite attraction for tourists and local residents for 16 years, and has served as a backdrop for thousands of people, young and old, posing for photographs in front of the iconic art work. Everyone is excited to see it recreated.
Rhea, a former art teacher, is a working artist who has painted a number of murals in Burnsville and numerous other locations. Many people will be familiar with her CocaCola Girl mural on the wall across from Town Hall, the panels on the Town Center depicting businesses that were located at that site over the past 100 years or more, and her most recent mural, commissioned by the Town of Burnsville, was just completed on a large wall inside Town Hall.
Thank you so much for your support! https-//gofund.me/fa2b432d
Burnsville artist Rhea Ormond has begun work on the new Wizard of Oz mural. If you do not want to use Go Fund Me to contribute, but wish to support the Wizard of Oz mural project, cash or check donations can be dropped off at Something Special or Plott Hound Books located on West Main and Academy Streets in Burnsville. To donate online: gofundme.com then search for Wizard of Oz mural.
Rhea Ormond is pictured in 2008 painting the original Wizard of Oz mural. The iconic artwork was a favorite for locals and tourists. Thousands of people (and dogs) had their photo taken in front of the beloved mural. The paint on the original mural was peeling and had to be sandblasted to create a clean surface for the new project.
