Mural #2: Stacye Leanza/Pittsboro Haw River Mural/2008
Diane Swan was the instigator of this project. She’s an accomplished wood worker and artist who tells the story of this mural beautifully over at https://pittsborohawrivermural.info.
The lead muralist was Stacye Leanza. She moved to town from New York—Parsons School of Design, no less. Stacye was an erstwhile shop mate of mine for many projects, and in her early days in Chatham County I helped her sell murals to Pem Hobbs over at the Siler City Mural Society. She did the mural at the hardware store downtown, and another at the Wren library.
Stacye is an accomplished illustrator, muralist, and teacher of art.
When she tells the Pittsboro Haw River Mural Story, Diane recounts what it was like to be partnered with the Abundance Foundation in its early days. Tami was operating Abundance, which was a 501(C)3 non-profit. It took the mural project on as a “Fiscal Sponsor,” which meant taking in tax deductible donations and distributing money as needed to get the project done. Diane’s theory is that this early fiscal sponsorship paved the way for many more great community projects over the years.
I think she might be right about that.
Do check out her website. It has great photographs. And passionate storytelling.
Last June, Diane posted that the mural needs a “refurb.”
Good idea. When do we start?
Love that Diane documented the whole backstory of this mural project—it’s cool how one person being the "instigator" can set off a chain of community efforts that last way beyond the original paint job. The fiscal sponsorship angle is interesting too; it’s easy to forget how much behind-the-scenes admin and nonprofit logistics goes into public art. Speaking of preserving murals, I’ve been messing around with that low quality image maker online to see what old photos of the mural might look like after years of weathering—kind of a fun way to imagine what a "refurb" is actually up against. Hope y’all get the funding and crew together for it soon.
This is an inspiring discussion about authentic leadership, personal growth, and the value of meaningful connections. Creating space beyond constant performance is an important reminder for everyone. I also enjoy reading motivational content through my website, Loteria Nacional. Thank you for sharing these insights.
I really enjoyed reading this excerpt because it shows how art and community partnerships can create lasting impact. I admire how talented people like Stacye Leanza used their skills to beautify public spaces and bring people together. I think projects supported through collaboration and sponsorship often inspire even more positive growth over time. Stories like this remind me that creativity can shape a town in powerful ways, and I also like to relax afterward with smash karts unblocked.
I agree with Diane’s theory that this kind of Retro Bowl early fiscal sponsorship likely set a precedent for future community initiatives. When people see a project succeed—especially something visible and inspiring like a mural—it builds trust and momentum for other cultural, educational, or civic efforts.