Austin, MN - Going back in time; New mural pays tribute to the theater’s history

posted by ThrHistoricalSociety on July 18, 2016 at 5:12 am

From the Austin Daily Herald: After years of mere thoughts, ideas and a failed attempt, volunteer Jim Burroughs is happy to say a project to restore a mural on the side of Paramount Theatre is complete.

“It just stayed as a to-do project for many years,” Burroughs said.

Greg Wimmer, an artist based out of Rochester, completed work on the project two weeks ago.

He spent three days painting a revised version of the original mural, which appeared on the building when it first opened in September of 1929.

“It looks great,” Burroughs said. “Greg Wimmer does exquisite work.”

The mural is also a tribute to the history of the theater. The mural features two stars which say “Publix” inside of them. Publix was the company that originally owned Paramount Pictures and thereby Paramount Theater.

“[We added] it for historical purpose,” Burroughs said.

A mural grant, which matched donations received by the Paramount, helped make the restoration possible.

Story link and additional photo at: http://www.austindailyherald.com/2016/07/going-back-in-time-new-mural-pays-tribute-to-the-theaters-history/

ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.

Learn more about historic theatres in the THS American Theatre Architecture Archives and on our website at historictheatres.org