The Running of the Horses

The Running of the Horses. History with an Artistic Flair. , The painted horses on the Mural represent the running of the horses as explained by Davie County native William Lester Richardson, 89., During an interview with Jane McAllister in September, 2020, Richardson recalled how wild horses were brought to Mocksville by train from Montana., "During the war years, say about '43 or '44 maybe on into '45, you couldn't get gasoline to run tractors…so they used horses on the farms. They would unload them at the depot, run them right up Depot Street, across Main Street on the square and down to where Junker's Mill is. To the right, daddy had a blacksmith shop and there was a corral there.", The large oak tree in the center of the mural honors the four oak trees that anchored the town for more than 90 years. Emerging from the oak, Mother Earth faces the east as the sun rises and Mother Earth faces the west as the sun sets as she provides the energy and growth of both the trees and the town., Artists' Statements: , This Mural has been one incredible opportunity to build a bridge of connection of the history of Downtown Mocksville Depot Street to the modern thriving community that it is today. The Oak tree is the centerpiece of this design with the strength of its roots supporting the beauty of the energy around it. Thus, it represent unity for the diversity of all people that call Mocksville home. The rainbow ombré of color throughout the horses gives a glimmer of pizzazz as they gallop through the reflections of the divine promise for a bright and sunny future bringing smiles and joy to those who see them run. Thank you Mocksville for this chance to bring color and light and love of art to your town and I hope you will enjoy it for many years to come. , Cheryl Ann Lipstreu, Cheryl Ann Lipstreu Fine Art, I was invited to assist in painting "The Running of the Horses". This colorful reimagining of a page from Mocksville's town history is designed to captivate viewers of all ages. A storybook sensibility and brilliant colors imbue the mural with the magical possibility that Mocksville is a place where anything can happen! In considering my contribution to this painting, I hope this art piece continues to spread joy to visitors of the town for many years to come. , Madelyn Greco, Artist