Mike Wolanin | The Republic Artist Nick Smith, also known as Nick Abstract, poses for a photo in front of the mural he is painting at Columbus Propeller in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Artist Nick Smith, also known as Nick Abstract, poses for a photo in front of the mural he is painting at Columbus Propeller in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.
Work has begun on new facade murals at Columbus Propeller.
Indianapolis-based artist Nick Smith, also known as “Nick Abstract,” has been commissioned for the project and hopes to have it finished by Thursday or Friday.
Smith began work on colors Monday, after doing some priming and sketching on Friday.
“Given that the mural is going to be adjacent to the airport, I kind of pulled some shape inspiration from aviation and kind of the architecture in Columbus as well,” he said.
Columbus Propeller, which has been described as a makerspace and innovation center, is located in two buildings owned by Columbus Municipal Airport. These facilities house a 3-D printing lab, welding bay, metal shop, woodworking shop, electronics lab and a classroom. Propeller is also home to the Columbus Area Arts Council studio and three entrepreneurial tenants.
Earlier this year, the makerspace completed a successful crowdfunding campaign to beautify the outside of its facility by using the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s “CreatINg Places” matching grant program and Patronicity. The campaign raised more than $120,000, according to Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Frey.
The wall murals are just one piece of this larger project, which is based on an exterior master plan prepared by Landscape, Art & Architecture Office. The firm also designed the Sixth Street Arts Alley, with Smith completing a wall mural as part of that project as well.
Smith said that he’s enjoyed working with LAA again, as well as being at the airport.
“It’s pretty neat to be painting next to the kind of air force museum that’s right near here and having these really cool planes to kind of look over at while I’m this high up in the air,” he said. I feel like I’m kind of flying myself on the lift up here.”
