Artists painting murals at new Lakes Region Child Care Center location

In preparation for Lake Region Child Care Center's move to the former Scott and Williams building, a group of artists are putting the finishing touches on some murals funded by donations from several individuals.

Marcey Yerkes has decorated the lobby, Heather Roche and Hallie Francke are painting a stage scene in the main corridor which will serve as an indoor play area. Maureen Bieniarz-Pond, Lisa Olech, Stephany Sarausky, and Janet Sanguedolce have been adding their touches in the classrooms. Each classroom will contain the painting of a tree which the children will decorate seasonally, and there will be picture frames painted on the walls to highlight the children’s art, which will be on display.

The work has been overseen by the new program coordinator, Marti Ilg, who stressed that all the paintings are a background to stimulate the creativity and stir the natural curiosity of the children.

In designing the bright new facility, the architects have used primary colors to set a cheerful tone. The high ceilings in the corridors were painted a soft blue, the large supporting columns in the corridors are red, and all the walls are a warm yellow.

The move was made possible with $600,000 raised locally from individuals, businesses and local service clubs plus federal grants and loans. It is part of the larger rehabilitation of the factory building, which includes the Normandin Square Apartments, the Wellness Center and Health First Medical Clinic, which will open later in the year.