By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
Last Saturday morning, the completion of the new mural “From Copperas Cove, With Love” was celebrated with a ribbon cutting.
The mural is located on the side of building at 203 S. 2nd St. and faces East Avenue D, and measures 100 feet by 17 feet.
Altogether, more than 118 volunteers invested more than 800 hours into the project, spearheaded by CCHS art teacher and mural artist Linda Lapierre.
In addition to the diverse silhouettes of figures in front of a sunrise, there are two other silhouettes that speak of Copperas Cove – a rabbit and a bulldog.
“The meaning of this mural is, it’s a sunrise for hope, even though it’s facing the wrong way. The sunrise is, we are made new every morning, and so every day, we are refreshed and have another chance,” Lapierre said. “This is our love note to Copperas Cove.”
She pointed out the utility pole that was transformed into a feature to look like a pencil signing the postcard.
Lapierre thanked the volunteers, recognizing those who volunteered the most hours individually, as well as the oldest and youngest volunteers. Local artist Catherine Blashack worked 137 hours on the project, completing the vintage-looking Copperas Cove postcard affixed to the side of the building. Judy Bowen, the building owner, was present and recognized for her willingness to have the mural on her building.
Foggy Crest Management, Texas Home Pros, Two Pros Construction, HomeBase, Sherwin Williams, the Bookstore Barber Salon, Lapierre Designs, and Aqua Works Rain Gutters were all businesses that supported the project. The Centex Chiefs Youth Football paid for the rain gutters. Not Rich But Enriched, Rainbow Heart Studio, and the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce were the nonprofits supporting the endeavor.
Anna Rodriguez is executive director of Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful and was one of the volunteers, painting during her free time early in the mornings before work.
On Saturday, she presented Lapierre with a keepsake – a framed metal printing plate from the Copperas Cove Leader-Press publication that was published when the mural began.
“it wasn’t just the mural. It wasn’t just somebody putting it together and people coming out. I felt like there’s something more going on here, and I feel like I needed to share this story,” Rodriguez said. “Kevin (Keller) and I were invited by the Cove Leader-Press to see how our newspaper is built and made. So we went visited Granite Printing, and the day that we were getting a tour by the supervisor. And I looked up and I saw what was on the front page of July 18 and was the picture of us getting this started. And it just gave me chills. It was just felt like there was something more happening here, so I wanted to share it. I asked the lady if we can get original print or the plate. And she said, absolutely. I asked her how much it would cost. She said, ‘No, I want to give it to you for free. It felt like you were emotional about it,’ and I said, ‘Absolutely.’ We hope that it continues.”
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