New murals bring color, history to downtown Maryville

Visitors traveling along Main Street may notice a colorful new addition to downtown Maryville.

The City of Maryville recently partnered with local businesses and artists to create several murals designed to bring the community together and highlight the city’s vibrant character.

The city also gathered input from residents about what would fit the downtown location. Maryville Tourism Director DeAnn Davison said the goal was to create artwork that reflects the community’s energy.

“Everyone was looking for something very vibrant, very Instagrammable,” Davidson said. “We want something colorful, we want something bright, not necessarily something traditional. So just really trying to show that we are a very vibrant community.”

Three artists were each assigned a wall in downtown Maryville to showcase their interpretation of the city.

One of those artists is Evan Brown, also known as Doodle Dude, who completed the mural on the wall of The Pub. Brown said the design highlights Maryville’s history and community pride.

The mural features several Maryville landmarks and symbols, including the Northwest Missouri State University tower and the railway that once ran through the city. Its centerpiece is a portrait of Dale Carnegie, the famous author who once lived in Maryville.

Brown said Carnegie influenced the way he approached starting and operating his own business, making his inclusion in the mural a full-circle moment.

The other murals feature a kaleidoscope-like design and a flower design.

The artwork is accompanied by a community gathering area where residents can eat, play games and spend time downtown.

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A newly transformed downtown gathering space features colorful floral artwork, outdoor seating and landscaping, creating a welcoming spot for residents and visitors in Maryville.

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The newly transformed downtown alleyway features colorful murals, outdoor seating, landscaping and a turf-covered gathering area designed to bring residents and visitors together in Maryville.

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A view of Maryville’s newly transformed downtown alleyway shows colorful murals, a community gathering space and a large “MARYVILLE” sign welcoming visitors to the area.

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Davison said she hopes the space becomes especially popular as Northwest Missouri State University students return to campus.

“We’re really hopeful that they really start to see the downtown as a gathering place and somewhere that they can come and hang out, shop, eat, really not just a place to drive through,” Davison said.

For more information about the murals and other things to do in Maryville, visit VisitMaryville.org.