Edmonson County mural nearing completion, mixed feedback from community

BROWNSVILLE, Ky. – Edmonson County Tourism began one of their biggest tourism projects in recent years this past November, and it’s just a week or two longer until it is complete, hours wise.

The tourism department, Edmonson County Artist Guild and local artist Casey Page, all sat down together to think about what Edmonson County would look like in paint. When they released a rendering in November, it didn’t win over everyone on social media, saying it didn’t represent Edmonson County. With all the primary colors in the mural, residents of the county said it resembled more the southwest rather than south central Kentucky’s Edmonson County.

Vanessa Ulm, tourism commissioner for Edmonson County, told New 40 that they didn’t want a specific picture or location in the county, but rather a post card like feel that encapsulates what the county has to offer. Ulm said that the natural landscape is Edmonson County’s bread and butter, as well as the only national water trail and horseback riding.

Muralist Casey Page, who helped bring the project to life, said he doesn’t pay attention to mixed comments because “it doesn’t do me any good, you can’t make everyone happy. We listened to some of the feedback but if we change everything then the other murals face the same issue…”

Ulm mentioned to News 40 that Governor Andy Beshear has said from the beginning that he no longer wants Kentucky to be a “flyover state” and challenges tourism departments all over the Commonwealth to try new things to entice people to move in, spend money and of course take pictures. Commissioner Ulm said the mission is to revitalize the downtown area, and hopefully attract new business but also inspire existing businesses to get a little creative as well.