Greencastle Civic League awarded $2,500 grant for mural project

The Lilly Scholars Network has awarded a grant for $2,500 to the Greencastle Civic League to support its role in the upcoming Putnam County Mural Festival.

In conjunction between the Civic League, the Greencastle Art Council and DePauw University’s Lilly Scholars Network chapter, the grant will go toward preparing the mural walls, documenting the project and entertainment for a kickoff party on Friday, Sept. 23. Lilly Scholar volunteers will also assist with volunteering efforts, promoting the project and supporting the artists.

The partners for the grant are Indiana Humanities Vice President and 2001 Owen County Lilly Scholar Kristen Fuhs Wells, DePauw Lilly Scholars Network Chapter President and 2020 Putnam County Lilly Scholar Ben Wilkerson and 2019 Spencer County Lilly Scholar Skylar Niles.

“The DePauw chapter of the Lilly Scholars Network is extremely excited to work with the Greencastle Civic League on the Putnam County Mural Festival,” Wilkerson said. “Not only will this project be an excellent opportunity for our scholars to engage with the surrounding community, but it is also a meaningful endeavor that will significantly beautify Putnam County and hopefully inspire those who live here.”

The grant is one of 12 awarded to organizations across the state through the Lilly Scholars Network’s Lead Forward Community Grants program, totaling nearly $28,114 in funding for various projects.

With funding from the Lilly Endowment and oversight from Independent Colleges of Indiana, the stated goal of the Lilly Scholars Network is to engage with recipients and equip them to be active in their communities and cultivate connections.

“The Lead Forward Community Grants Program encourages Lilly Scholars to give back to their community,” said Katie Lash, who chairs the network’s advisory council and is the 2009 Randolph County Lilly Scholar. “Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are leaders who were recognized early on to be changemakers across the state.”

The selected projects as a whole are to be completed between now and Dec. 31.