(Leitchfield, KY) – It began with a 20/20 Vision Plan in January 2018 that was coordinated by the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce. A playbook of ideas was knit together by various community advocates who congregated for several weeks to voice their thoughts and opinions. From this playbook came the revitalization of the Leitchfield Public Square that has now seen significant efforts made by private business owners, the Chamber of Commerce, city of Leitchfield, Grayson County Fiscal Court, and Leitchfield Tourism.
Several painting projects have captured the attention of locals recently around the square, but the newest addition has created quite a buzz on social media. Ilsa Johnson, Leitchfield Tourism Director, shared the vision behind the mural, and shed light on the unique painting that shares wall space with the county mural.
Johnson explained the building is owned by Chester Shartzer, who gave the city permission to paint a mural on his building but had only one request: the words “In God We Trust” be boasted in the mural. Shartzer is known for his efforts to keep the 10 Commandments ever present while Grayson County was embattled in a court case early in the decade after the 10 Commandments were removed from the courthouse. Shartzer had hung a banner of the 10 Commandments where the mural is now being painted.
The painter of the murals, Kevin Tipton, heard Shartzer’s request and story behind the 10 Commandments banner, and created a vision of a second mural he wanted to paint. Tipton shared his vision with Shartzer who agreed to the painting. A painting which creates a feel of the Holy Land with the 10 Commandments above. Tipton is painting this mural on the weekends, and is being paid privately for this work as the city is only paying for the mural of Grayson County. 
Johnson said the design of the county mural was chosen by her board of directors with input from Caneyville and Clarkson leadership. It’s a depiction of tourism destinations and historical monuments of Grayson County. With one look, viewers get a real sense of the uniqueness of Grayson County.
There have been several ideas of things locals would like to see painted on the mural including the GCHS marching band and E. E. McGhee aka Mr. Spirit. Johnson said there were so many ideas, but the committee was working with limited space. She did say there is a second design – that in addition to tourism destinations – that would have an inclusion of sentimental reminders to locals, like: Mr. McGhee, Clarkson Redhawk, Lawler Lion, Leitchfield Bulldog, and Caneyville Purple Flash.
There is no plan at this time for a second mural to be painted. 
