New quilt panels add color to downtown Marysville

MARYSVILLE, KS - There’s some new art in downtown Marysville.

The side of the Backroads Bicycle shop now has two new artworks facing the Pony Express sculpture park. Store owner Mark Hoffman talked about the process of getting the paintings put up.

“These are originally some barn quilts done in 2014. There was a local group of ladies that pained some barn quilts, the city put the up on the wall and they ere getting to the point where they were needing to be redone,” Hoffman said.

One of the paintings is aimed at being a navigational point for those using the Blue River Rail Trail.

“We’re trying to establish this as a staring point for the rail trail. We’re at the south end of it,” Hoffman said. “Plus, with us opening the bike store, we opened in February, we’re trying to establish a starting point for riders and walkers.”

The second piece of art brings a patriotic twist. Hoffman said they left that up to original artist, Barb Friedrichs.

“She had done some eagle ones, and we liked that one,” Hoffman said. “We knew it would be popular with the public here so we were happy with her doing that.”