The Inter-Mountain photos by Taylor McKinnie Artist Wilhelmina ‘Willa’ McWhorter works on the clouds of the mural she is painting onto the Wilson Street train bridge in Elkins this week.

The murals project coordinator, Desire Kniffen Watson, left, and artist Haylie Young, right, look over Young’s work on a new mural under the Wilson Street train bridge.

The two murals, by Haylie Young and Wilhelmina “Willa” McWhorter, fill spaces under the Wilson Street train bridge that were once covered in graffiti. Work began on the murals on Tuesday, with McWhorter finishing her mural on Thursday.

The project’s coordinator, Desire Kniffen Watson, says this is one of several art projects she would like to work on around Elkins.

“Our hope is that it will give tourists something to walk around and look at when they’re visiting town, and if they’re walking around and looking at all the art we’re acquiring through town, hopefully they’ll stop in the shops and restaurants too,” Watson told The Inter-Mountain this week. “Our local townspeople have something pretty to look at every day.”

Watson explained that she had to approach the City of Elkins and the Railroad Department to get the project done, but added that the murals wouldn’t be possible without the citizens of Elkins who helped fund the project, as well as Young and McWhorter.

Young’s mural, which is closer to the road, depicts large, bright-colored flowers. Young explained that, after she was approached by Watson about the mural, they worked together for the design.

“Desire and I kind of brainstormed it together and decided on flowers,” Young told The Inter-Mountain. “I just added my style with flowers.”

Young admitted she was unsure when her mural will be complete, but added that it would hopefully be done soon.

On the wall behind Young’s mural is McWhorter’s mural, which depicts a mountain range skyline and clouds at sunset. McWhorter had previous discussions with Watson regarding other artistic projects in town before Watson approached her on the mural.

McWhorter’s mural is her own design, meant to honor the artistic talents of her late father, William “Bill” McWhorter.

“My dad, William, was known for his skies throughout town. He was known for his clouds,” McWhorter told The Inter-Mountain. “So I kind of wanted to pay homage to him. He’s almost 10 years passed, but still want to keep the legacy alive the best I can.”

Watson explained that, once both murals were complete, the artists will be going over them with anti-graffiti coating, to ensure the integrity of the pieces.

The next artistic project Watson has lined up will see McWhorter painting murals and colorful window updates for the “Moose building” at 112 Davis Avenue. The Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce announced Watson’s plan for the building on social media on July 14, explaining there is a $4,000 fundraising goal for the project.

Watson also mentioned several other upcoming projects, including finding artists to paint on canvases that will be placed in empty storefront windows around town, as well as the possibility of adding another mural across the street from Young’s mural under the bridge.

“(The murals) wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the citizens of Elkins helping fund it,” Watson said. “Because right now we have no source of funding, so we’re very grateful to everybody who made donations, and I’m incredibly grateful to the artists who have come out… We would like to do more projects, but until we figure out a source of funding…”