WILSON — The Wilson Tourism Hub, Inc., in collaboration with the Kansas Czechs, Inc., will host an unveiling of murals from 1-3 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Midland Railroad Hotel Barn in Wilson.

The murals, painted by artist Andrew “Ace” Walker of Prague, Okla., owner of Ace Walker Art, depict Czech immigrants arriving at the Wilson train station. The murals also nod to the history of the horse racing track, which was near the Midland Railroad Hotel at the turn of the century.

Speakers for the unveiling include Sharon Valasek, honorary consul to the Czech Republic, and Wilson Mayor Mike Peschka. An artist reception with refreshments will follow in the barn.

“We are very excited to see the completion of these murals,” President of Kansas Czechs, Inc.

Christy (Dowling) Thomas said. “There has been a 40 percent increase in tourism in Wilson since the painting the World’s Largest Czech Egg. We are hoping to continue this upswing in tourism, as well as help make the town more vibrant.”

Wilson’s history is rooted in its Czech settlers, and these murals help to serve as a point of education and conversation for visitors, allowing residents to celebrate their history, all while improving public spaces.

She said the idea of making a mural was developed as a way to have a larger, more public depiction of art and Czech culture in Wilson.

“Melinda Merrill, owner of the Midland Railroad Hotel and Barn, has always been a big supporter of the arts,” Thomas said. “She has had many projects over the years to showcase different kinds of artwork in Wilson.”

Subject matter for the murals came about after discussion between the Wilson Tourism Hub and the Kansas Czechs, Inc.

Thomas said.

“The Barn was an obvious choice for its home, as the hotel would have been a focal point for these settlers after it was built in 1899,” Thomas said.

Thomas said Walker was chosen based on his previous artwork.

“Andrew “Ace” Walker is from Prague, Okla., which is a town similar to Wilson in both size and history of Czech settlers,” Thomas said. “He has completed two large murals on buildings there with Czech focus. He has extensive knowledge of Czech culture and experience with outdoor murals that made it an obvious choice for our artist. We came to him with our vision to showcase the Czech immigrants, along with the history of Wilson with the railroad and horses, and he was able to bring it to life.”

The Wilson Tourism Hub was one of two entities in Ellsworth County (the other being the Ellsworth County Economic Development Corporation) awarded a $10,000 grant from the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity. Each of the projects requires a 50 percent match from the community.

“Art, and murals in particular, help bring communities together to celebrate the history, culture and unique characteristics of their rural towns,” Director of the Office of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon said. “The rural mural program helps these communities showcase those amazing characteristics to their current residents, visitors and to the entire state of Kansas for generations to come.”

In total, the Office of Rural Prosperity awarded $93,500 in grants to 13 recipients, enabling communities with fewer than 10,000 residents to create new murals and public art projects that will beautify community gathering spaces and serve as new tourist attractions.

“Rural Kansas has the opportunity to be a more popular tourist destination, which will promote economic growth in the smallest of Kansas communities,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “The development of high-quality destinations and improved infrastructure across the state will make these featured attractions more valuable and easier to reach than ever before.”

Thomas said she is anxious to see the final finished projects on the Barn. “The progress I have seen to this point is amazing, and I know people will be impressed with how Ace was able to make these ideas come to life,” Thomas said. “We hope to add more art to Wilson in the future as funding becomes available. We will be using all of the grant money to accomplish this, as well as the 50 percent match that we had to provide.”