Help Recreate the Wizard of Oz Mural!

The original Wizard of Oz Yellow Brick Road mural was painted by local artist Rhea Ormond in 2008 on the

building occupied by Something Special Gift Shop/Monkey Business Toy Store located at Academy Street and West

Main Street in Burnsville NC.

The original mural was peeling badly because it had been painted on top of old advertising signs. It was decided to have it sandblasted to create a new surface for Rhea to start the process of bringing the beloved mural of Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion back to life. While an exact reproduction of the original would be impossible there may be some surprises to look forward to in the new version!

The mural has been a favorite of tourists and local residents, and has served as a backdrop for thousands of

people, young and old, posing for photographs in front of the iconic art work. The mural was a favorite attraction in

Burnsville and everyone is excited to see it recreated.

Rhea, a former art teacher, is a working artist who has painted a number of murals in Burnsville. Many people will be familiar with her CocaCola Girl mural on the wall across from Town Hall, and the panels on the Town Center depicting businesses that had been located at that site over the past 100 years or more. Her most recent mural, commissioned by the Town of Burnsville, was just completed on a large wall inside Town Hall.

Because the brick is now porous after the sandblasting, it needs several coats of paint which is very costly, and the biggest expense is a lift that will cost $400 a day to rent. Rhea says the mural project could take several months to complete and that she is thrilled to begin a project that has been loved by so many.

Rhea is volunteering to do the mural however there will be many expenses so we are asking the community for help to get this project “over the rainbow” through crowd funding.

Thank you so much for your support!

If you do not feel like using Go Fund Me but still wish to support the project donations either through cash or check can be dropped off at Something Special or Plott Hound Books located on West Main and Academy Street in Burnsville.