WHITEHALL — The Arts Council of White Lake hosted a community feedback and information session last Thursday on the new 120 feet by 12 feet mural set to be painted in the new downtown Whitehall pocket park this summer. Frankenmuth-based artist Stephen Hargash, who was commissioned to paint the mural, has done similar work for 30 years, in New York and all over Michigan.
Hargash was told about the mural position by a friend and was drawn to apply because he thought it would be a great opportunity to do something unique and visit the White Lake area.
“After I was selected, I needed to visit the area and just take it in,” Hargash said. “When I submitted my application, they mainly just looked at my previous work. I hadn’t submitted any design ideas yet. It was a great first experience. I really liked what I was seeing and talking to people, the places I went to and ate at. I got a grasp on the area. I’ve been here a few times since then, but I’m excited to be here during the summer. I’m thrilled to have been chosen and given the opportunity to not only do the piece, but experience the area for that period of time.”
After accepting the project offer, Hargash visited in December to check out important local landmarks, to get to know community members and to get a feel for what makes White Lake so special.
“The Arts Council didn’t tell me anything that I needed to do. I had total creative freedom,” said Hargash. “They provided some books to look at for reference and when I came here, they gave me specific local landmarks they thought I should look at.”
Part of the mural, a map of Michigan highlighting Whitehall, drew the most feedback. Many community members said the map should either highlight both Whitehall and Montague, or just be labeled as the White Lake area in general.
Other critiques included details, such as the species or birds and other animals featured in the mural being appropriate and true to the area. Hargash said all the critiques are important to him and he will do his best to adjust the design to the community's satisfaction.
“When it comes to the design, there are so many ideas that can be included,” Hargash said. “I was thrilled when they said they could provide community feedback. That’s a good way to help channel what this is going to be, because sometimes it’s all on me and I have to do all this research. That makes things more laborious as far as figuring the design out.
"When I agree to a project, I’m all in. I designate hours to research, putting things together and changing them, constantly back and forth until I finally think I’ve portrayed something in a way that really is about this area. It’ll be fun doing it, but it’ll be a challenging piece.”
Hargash anticipates starting his revisions by mid-July, which will take approximately nine weeks to complete, with mid-September a target completion time. This includes allotting time to prepare the wall space, and allowing for any weather-related delays and unforeseen circumstances.
