A Community United by Art – American Flag Mural Completed on Lamar’s Main Street

Pictured, left to right:  Judy Turpin, Flag Mural Committee member; Clay Whitham, Frontier Bank (donated water and restroom access); Connie Jacobsen, Flag Mural Committee member; Jake Chamberlain, Flag Mural Committee member and building owner; Rose Ann Yates, Lisa Farmer,  LaNette Gearhart, and Vince Gearhart, all representing Southeast Colorado Arts Council.  Not pictured are: Cody Miell, muralist; Brady Turpin, Flag Mural Committee member, Nick and Nicole Carter of A-1 Rental (lift donor); Al Sanders and Virginia Hernandez (paint storage) and Earl Hawkins of BMS (shook the paint).

In 2024, a large American flag mural began taking shape on the brick building at 122 S Main Street in Lamar, owned by Jacob Chamberlain and Dustin Langston.  What started as a generous, anonymously funded effort to add beauty and pride to downtown Lamar has since become a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together.

The mural was painted by Cody Miell of La Junta, Colorado, whose vision transformed the building into a bold, flowing tribute to the American flag.  During the initial phase of the project, unforeseen technical issues with the paint sprayer forced the artist to adapt on the fly.  Instead of spraying, the mural had to be completed by hand, using rollers and brushes, an impressive feat given the scale of the wall.  That change in approach led to an unexpected paint shortage, leaving the mural just short of full completion.

Even so, the mural quickly became a downtown landmark.  To most passersby, it looked finished, strong, striking, and full of movement.  Few realized there was still more work to be done.

When it became clear that additional resources were needed to complete the project, the Lamar community once again stepped up.  The Southeastern Arts Council donated $2,254.80 to purchase the remaining paint necessary to finish the mural.  BMS of Lamar volunteered their time to shake the paint cans at no cost the day before the work resumed.  A-1 Rental of Lamar provided a lift – an essential piece of equipment that made it possible for the artist to safely reach the upper portions of the wall.

Muralist Cody Miell at work completing the mural

Support came in many other ways as well.  Al Sanders and Virginia Hernandez of Vendor’s Gallery stored the paint during the project and Frontier Bank graciously allowed the artist access to water and the restroom facilities while the work was underway.

From anonymous donors to local businesses and arts advocates, this mural truly became a community project from start to finish.  Rather than a story about obstacles, it is a story about adaptability, generosity, and shared pride.  The finished mural now stands not only as a visual symbol of patriotism, but also a lasting reminder of what Lamar can accomplish when neighbors support one another.

The finished mural, waving proudly along Main Street

Perhaps the best part about this mural is that it is something non-political.  All can enjoy it and get behind it regardless of which political party they support, further bringing our community together.  As it waves across the brick on Main Street, the flag tells more than one story, and at its heart is a community that came together to make something meaningful for everyone!