Mural Promotes Water Valley’s Vibrant Restaurant Lineup
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Hannah McCormick puts the finishing touches on the “Eat Local” wording on a new mural on Main Street. The mural promoting local restaurants comes as two new eateries have opened in the town in the last month. Chopsticks opened Feb. 14, and Jack’s Family Restaurant opened on opened Feb. 23.
WATER VALLEY – Local artist Hannah McCormick and Paul Portis painted a new mural that welcomes people to Water Valley and promotes local restaurants. The wedge mural was painted on the Water Valley Main Street Association building≠’s south wall that protrudes above Trusty Diner. The mural was designed by Ericka Walden and was funded by a grant from Mississippi Main Street Association.
McCormick has worked as a professional artist since 2005. Her work includes commissioned art, portraits, event paintings and custom art. She also teaches art lessons at her studio on North Main that was completed last fall. She also exhibits her work at a few galleries across the state.
“I was approached by Main Street, they wanted a local artist to do this work,” McCormick explained. “This is not my first mural, but it is definitely my first mural in Water Valley.”
Portis lives in New Albany and works for McCormick’s husband at Ryan Pierce Custom Furniture in Water Valley.
“Occasionally I help Hannah out with projects. This is a welcome break from being covered in sawdust,” he joked.
Speaking from the rooftop as they were putting finishing touches on the mural Thursday, Portis also explained that he went to school for fine art in Philadelphia and has worked on a number of murals in cities including Philadelphia and New Orleans.
“I am happy to help, to put my skills to use,” he said. “I like Water Valley, it is nice to spend my days here.”
The four-day job started Monday, Feb. 28, as the entire space was rolled with deep blue paint. Next the designed was outlined with sidewalk chalk. The tedious painting followed, drying almost as fast as it was applied with the sun bearing down and reflecting off Trusty Diner’s white roof.
“We got everything we needed at Valley Lumber, so it is an eat local mural where we shopped local too,” McCormick added.
“I love the murals that we have in Water Valley. There is lots of space for new ones, and I would love to do more,” the artist added. 
