MOSES LAKE — What is art? Who is art for? Can anyone be an artist? Those questions have been debated and discussed in length for hundreds of years. At the Grant County Fair anyone can be an artist. A joint mural project between Columbia Basin Allied Arts (CBAA), the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center and fairgrounds management goes to show that not only can anyone be an artist, but that when community members blend their art skills together the end result can be something special.

“The project’s aim is to beautify the Grant County Fairgrounds. The first two years we had artists do large mural pieces and then this year it is all community driven,” CBAA Executive Director Shawn Cardwell explained.

With the CBAA doing outreaches in public schools, theatre camps and their Green Turtle series, which are theatrical shows designed for younger audiences, the mural project, which the CBAA has been involved with for a few years now, seemed fitting for promoting the arts and drumming up interest.

“We are doing one 4-by-8 (foot) panel a day and as the kids and seniors yesterday (Wednesday) are coming through they each do one little square,” Cardwell said

When the four panels are completed they will come together to say “Established 1909,” which is the year Grant County was officially established as a county, and will be displayed somewhere at the fairgrounds. Artists of all ages and of all skill levels are welcome to paint a square and be a part of a piece of art that is sure to be seen and enjoyed at the Grant County Fairgrounds for years to come. Today is the last day for the public to get involved in the project. The mural will be finished by Saturday and displayed for fair-goers.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.