WILSON — The “Czech Capital of Kansas” is known for its rich heritage and culture; the Czech people are known for their colorful folk art.

Add these two things together, and — with the financial help of the Kansas Czechs, Inc., plus a lot of time, talent and labor by two enthusiastic local residents, Christine Slechta and Shelly Sebesta — the business windows in Wilson are about to get much brighter.

“The Kansas Czechs saw a need,” said Lynn Dowling, Kansas Czechs treasurer. “The windows were painted in the 1970s, so it’s coming up on 50 years, and they’re starting to peel and fade. (This) was one of the projects we wanted to take on.”

Dowling said the project is intended to not only revitalize the Czech artwork but to also support the ongoing efforts of the City of Wilson and the Wilson Travel and Tourism Hub. The goal is to promote the historical Czech culture and continue the drive to increase tourism since the painting of the World’s Largest Czech Egg, which is on display in Wilson.

Dowling said the painting project would not have been possible without the talents of Slechta and Sebesta.

“With Christine in the lead and Shelly helping her, it’s become a reality,” Dowling said. “We’re jus so excited because they are coming up with some beautiful designs.”

These designs include the Czech coat of arms and flag, Czech egg painting, known as kraslice; and the kohout (rooster).

To fund the project, the Kansas Czechs, Inc. received two major grants — one for $5,000 from the Smoky Hills Charitable Foundation and a second for $300 from Midwest Energy, Inc. These two grants, along with other funds raised by the Kansas Czechs, Inc., will be used to purchase services and supplies to complete the project.

“We’d like to do as many (windows) as possible in the two business corridors,” Dowling said. “And then at the (Wilson After Harvest Czech) festival next year, we’d like to do a dedication.”

The goal is to com plete the project by May 1, 2023.

So far, 32 businesses have agreed to participate, allowing the artists to remove existing artwork and create new artwork on about approximately 63 windows.

“I’m really proud of myself to come back to Wilson and contribute,” Slechta said.

A professional artist and teacher in the Wilson Schools, Slechta directed the painting of the World’s Largest Czech Egg and studied under renowned Czech egg artist and Wilson native, Betty Kepka Belton.

“I grew up here,” Slechta said. “My folks lived here when I was 2, so this is my hometown. Anything I can do to help promote and bring people to town.”

Slechta said she hopes Belton would be proud of her work in Wilson.

“I know one time during the Czech Festival I was selling (Czech) eggs and demonstrating (Czech) eggs, she stood behind me,” Slechta said. “I was shaking and she said, ‘Why are you so nervous?’ I just want to make her proud.”

The restoration process starts with scraping and cleaning the windows before priming and painting. The new artwork begins with development of a unique design for each window that will hold a specific significance in the Czech culture.

“I feel we’re doing something to promote the town and make the town look nicer,” Sebesta said. “Plus I enjoy painting and I enjoy spending time with Christine. I think we make a good pair. She’s the artist and I paint what she tells me to paint.”