Local Non-Profits Collaborate for New Mural in Cabot
CFAC and Walk for Wheezy Partner in Public Art Initiative
Cabot, AR: The Cabot Foundation for Arts & Culture (CFAC) today announced a new art installation partnership with Walk for Wheezy. A themed mural will be installed on the wall of the Melikian building in the Cabot Art Walk on the wall facing Hwy 89. The mural, based on a design by Zoe Boshears, Walk for Wheezy Co-Founder and Assistant Director, will feature a floral bouquet intertwined in a heart, symbolizing “tragedy blooming into legacy”. The mural will be painted by Arkansas artist Jessica Jones. A bench will be added to the piece to provide an interactive “swing” for photos.
“It may surprise some to learn that CFAC’s mission isn’t art. Our mission is to build community – we do that through the vehicle of art,” says Becky Williams, VP at CFAC. “Walk for Wheezy lives our mission – they’ve gathered the community with shared purpose for five years. This mural is a celebration of what W4W has done in Cabot.”
“Walk for Wheezy is excited to partner with CFAC as we share a similar vision to bring the community together!” says Darcy Eddington, Co-Founder/Executive Director at Walk for Wheezy.
About CFAC: CFAC, a non-profit local arts organization in Cabot, works its mission to promote community through arts and culture. The group formed as a direct result of the members’ participation in Uncommon Communities, where they were inspired to do more for the community. The group established the Cabot Art Walk and spearheaded the Placemaking Roadmap project. Their website is CabotArt.com
About Walk for Wheezy: Walk for Wheezy is a 501c3 nonprofit that was created with the sole purpose of raising funds and awareness for Arkansas Children’s Hospital during a community wide event all in memory of Eloise Ann Owen. Eloise “Wheezy” Ann Owen was born June 15, 2006. Shortly after birth, it was discovered that she was born with a severe congenital heart defect called HypoPlastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). This is when the left ventricle of her heart never fully forms. After a very difficult and life-threatening first couple weeks of life, she had her first open-heart surgery at the age of 13 days. Eloise had 3 more open-heart surgeries over the next 5 years that completed the expected treatment plan until time for a full-heart transplant. On January 7, 2016, she suffered an extreme series of pulmonary hemorrhages that ultimately led to the end of her short life. Walk for Wheezy has raised an estimated $180,000 for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Cardio Vascular Intensive Care Unit.