Hoping to make itself more attractive for visitors, the Hilltop Business Association in Davenport has hired two local artists. They'll paint murals along Harrison Street, on the sides of two buildings.
Association Treasurer Kelly Wallace says the group was formed 25 years ago to improve a part of the city between Palmer College and Saint Ambrose University, and along Harrison and Brady streets.
Recently she was impressed by some huge murals she saw on buildings in downtown Dubuque.
"Art we believe is essential in the prosperity and the health of any community and we have a business model but we also have a desire to improve our area generally."
The association held a contest for artists, and chose murals proposed by Natalie Smith of Bettendorf and Derek Colvin of Rock Island. Both artists will receive a 500 dollar cash prize, plus 150 dollars for the paint and materials needed for their murals.
Wallace says depending on how these first two murals turn out, more are possible in the Hilltop neighborhood in the future.
