Participating dignitaries and artist Nicole Westfall cut the ribbon at the new Point Park Gateway Mural. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

PARKERSBURG — A ribbon cutting was held at the new Point Park Gateway Mural Friday afternoon.

The ceremony included community members along with Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Torie Jackson, Parkersburg Art Center Director Jessie Siefert, Greater Parkersburg CVB Executive Director Mark Lewis and Amanda Stevens of Downtown PKB.

Cutting the ribbon was the artist of the mural, Nicole Westfall. Over 60 local painters helped her with the completion of the mural.

“Arts Collaborative approached us with the idea of the mural, we partnered with the Welcome Center, and put up the money to fund the mural,” Joyce said. “It’s beautiful, and definitely an improvement. We hope to have more art finished this summer on the other side of the wall.”

“It’s a wonderful addition to our city,” said a community member attending the event.

Participating dignitaries and artist Nicole Westfall cut the ribbon at the new Point Park Gateway Mural. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

Within the stained glass and bottom ironwork based section of the mural represents field thistles, a pollinator plant native to West Virginia. The green section represents red and pink tulips, standing for caring, good wishes, and love. The pink section, also based on images of ironwork, is a pattern made of Joe-Pye Weed and Aster, which like the thistles, are pollinator plants native to the state.

Finally within the cream section are three birds: the oriole, eastern meadowlark, and purple finch. The background of the birds is made up of Wood Sorrel, which represents joy to come, Buttercup, which represents joy and happiness, and Echinacea, another pollinator plant native to West Virginia.

The new Point Park Gateway Mural brings new beauty to the Mid-Ohio Valley. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)