Va. Beach Mural Honors First Responders Battling COVID-19
The Virginian-Pilot
When the coronavirus pandemic has subsided and tourists return to Virginia Beach, artist Sam Welty wants people to remember the “helpers.”
So he’s in the process of painting a 7,000 square-foot mural on the back wall of an Oceanfront hotel to honor healthcare workers, first responders and service providers.
“The mural is dedicated to all the people who are making a difference,” Welty, 44, said. “There are all kinds of people doing the right thing and this mural is for them.”
It features the images of a doctor, a nurse, a firefighter, a police officer, a grocery worker and a delivery person.
A quote from Fred Rogers, longtime host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, runs across the bottom: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping!”
The mural is on the back of the Blue Marlin Hotel on 24th Street and faces Pacific Avenue. It’s about 50 feet tall and 145 feet wide. Welty started painting on Saturday and had completed nearly half of it by Tuesday. The rain delayed his work Wednesday, but he plans to add more helpers and an interactive element close to the ground this week.
“People will be able to take pictures in front of and incorporate themselves into the artwork,” he said.
Welty is known for other murals around Hampton Roads including military tributes at the Oceanfront and in Norfolk’s art district and one at the entrance of the Virginia Zoo.
The artist was able to get The Franklin Johnston Group to sponsor the helpers mural. Sherwin Williams donated the paint, and United Rentals is providing the work platform.
“The message is to just take care of each other,” Welty said. “This is an opportunity for us to realize we’re all in this together.”
