The Big Dreams Grow in Carthage mural in Carthage, Missouri, is a vibrant tribute to the many accomplished individuals who began their journeys in this small town.
The mural was envisioned by Vision Carthage, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to community beautification and revitalization. Their goal was to blend public art with historic preservation while inspiring future generations.
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The idea behind the mural was to show children that growing up in a small town doesn’t limit what they can become, their dreams can take them anywhere.
Vision Carthage collaborated with renowned local artist Andy Thomas to bring this vision to life. He took their ideas and created a stunning watercolor painting that became the foundation for the mural.
The artwork features iconic Carthage landmarks, such as the Jasper County Courthouse and the 66 Drive-In Theatre, with scenes of children playing beneath the accomplished older versions of themselves looking over them from above.
To bring the painting to the public space, Paul Whitehill of Whitehill Enterprises translated the artwork onto tile. The finished mural, installed in 2021, measures 44 feet wide by 28 feet tall, weighs 6,500 pounds, and consists of 459 porcelain tiles.
Who can you find in the mural?
- Bill Snow (Stone Sculptor and mentor to many)
- Andy Thomas (Storyteller on canvas)
- Jerry Ellis (Watercolor Artist, National Watercolor Society)
- Bob Tommey (Western artist and painting mentor)
- Lowell Davis (The grandfather of Rural Art)
- Sam Butcher (Creator of Precious Moments)
- Annie Baxter (First woman elected to public office in Missouri)
- Kent D. and Mary L. Steadley (Philanthropists to Carthage providing funds for the City of Carthage and its charities through their family trust since the 1970s)
- Carl Hubbell (1933 World Series pitcher for New York Giants. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947)
- Janet Kavandi (Astronaut logging more than 33 days in space and has traveled more than 13.1 million miles in 535 Earth orbits)
- Marlin Perkins (“Wild Kingdom” TV host & Zoologist)
- Felix Wright (Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings & Kansas City Chiefs Football Player)
- James Scott (Ragtime composer and pianist)
- David Newell (Actor appearing in 110 films)
You can find the mural on the side of the McBride Building on the Carthage Square.
Photos of the Big Dreams Grow in Carthage Mural in Carthage, Missouri
