A vibrant new mural is taking shape in Old Town Saginaw, transforming what was once considered an eyesore into a striking piece of public art. Local artist Eric R. Schantz has been working diligently on the project for the past month, with completion expected within the next week.
Schantz, who recently returned to Saginaw after being away for some time, is passionate about sharing his artistic vision with the community. "It just feels awesome to be doing what I'm doing in the first place, which is cleaning up my neighborhood," Schantz explained. His commitment to improving the local area reflects a broader mission to enhance the visual appeal of Old Town Saginaw through art.
The mural features a meticulously detailed Union Pacific streamliner from 1937, which Schantz describes as one of the most stylistically impressive trains of its era. "The train is a Union Pacific streamliner from 1937, and stylistically, it's one of the coolest trains. I think it's number 2309," he noted. The artwork also incorporates an airship in the background, adding a nostalgic aviation element to the composition. Schantz mentioned that additional details might be added before the project's completion, though final decisions are still pending.
Beyond its aesthetic value, the mural serves a practical purpose in community development. Schantz believes the artwork will have a positive economic impact on the surrounding area. "It increases everybody's property values by at least the amount of the mural," he stated. "So it's worth everybody's interest to pitch in on projects like this." This perspective highlights how public art can serve as both cultural enhancement and economic investment.
The community response to the work-in-progress has been overwhelmingly positive, providing motivation for the artist throughout the lengthy painting process. "They've been driving by, rolling down the windows and screaming 'that's dope!' and I agree," Schantz said with enthusiasm. "It's awesome, it's fun to be out here, and I know they like it. It makes me feel really good." This immediate feedback from passersby demonstrates the mural's already significant impact on local residents and visitors.
Looking toward the future, Schantz expressed willingness to undertake additional mural projects throughout the area, contingent on available funding. The Saginaw Old Town Junction is actively collecting donations to support such community art initiatives, suggesting that this current mural could be the first of several planned beautification projects in Old Town Saginaw.
