A new mural entitled “Estamos Aquí  / We Are Here” by artist Dave Loewenstein has been completed. It is on the east facing wall at the Free State Brewing Co.’s East Side Brewery, 1927 Moodie Road. Which is along the Burroughs Creek Trail, part of the Lawrence Loop.

FLAT and Free State Brewing Company partnered with local muralist Dave Loewenstein, who has painted several other murals across the city. Loewenstein worked with members of the community to identify elements for the new mural’s design in a series of discussions and design sessions.

The project began about a year ago when Chuck Magerl, owner of the brewery, and Jodie Buster, a Free State employee, approached Loewenstein to ask about the feasibility of the project. Magerl said the mural is meant to add something for people using the trail corridor.

“Let’s provide something for the enjoyment of the people that are out and about, and engaging in the community and in that outdoor exploration process,” Magerl said.

FLAT Board Chair Chris Tilden said he thinks this project is all about promoting togetherness as a community, and it fits with the annual Trails that Connect Us event that’s held in partnership with Free State Brewing Company.

“I think the mural’s also very much an outgrowth of Free State and Friends of Lawrence Area Trails’ commitment to this idea of utilizing trails as a way to create connections among people in our community,” Tilden said.

Friends of Lawrence Area Trails secured two grants to support the project. FLAT received $10,000 in funding through the Sunflower Foundation’s “Paving the Way – From Blazing Trails to Building Community” grant program and $6,000 from the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission’s Community Arts Grant Program. In addition, donations from the community were received.

The arts commission’s grant program supports a variety of public art in Lawrence, and the Sunflower Foundation grants go toward projects to build and enhance trails statewide.

After holding community workshops, Loewenstein said the piece took on a more focused direction, with the star-chart concept allowing him to weave the community ideas into a cohesive composition.

Once the design was transferred to the wall the community was invited to help begin the painting the mural at a party held at the building. The community continued to help paint the following day.

Loewenstein said the mural was inspired by star charts, local wildlife and the Burroughs Creek Trail and is 20 feet tall by 50 feet wide. He said the mural reflects the Lawrence Loop and all the creatures that have coexisted in the area. The final imagery includes fireflies, a tandem bicycle, a snake and a mosasaur.