‘Leaving a landmark’: Nebraska artist painting 40-foot mural in downtown York

YORK, Neb. (KLKN) – One artist is leaving a colorful mark on downtown York.

Jasmine Young is covering a 40-foot wall outside Sun Theatre with a mural designed specifically for the city.

It is meant to reflect the city’s character and create a lasting sense of peace.

“I wanted it to feel like a Friday night,” Young said. “I wanted it to feel like you were coming in on a Friday, with your grandma and grandpa, to watch the best movie, kind of like a drive-in theater. But something you could truly look at and be like ‘yay!'”

The community has wrapped its arms around Young and her vision for the mural.

She was awarded a grant from the Nebraska Arts Council, and through local fundraising efforts, she has completed most of the project in just 36 days.

“It’s humbling. It’s the feeling of acceptance that most artists crave and desire to have,” she said. “Not many people get to experience that. Not many get to experience people saying ‘this is what I want, I want to do whatever it takes to get this person.'”

The mural is one of the Creative District’s first steps toward adding more artwork and culture to the downtown area.

As Young gets closer and closer to the end, she said she can feel the excitement from the community.

“I have people drive by every day and honk and yell,” she said. “Once they figured out who I was, I think I hear my name screamed at least four times a day. There’s a lady who works across the street; she sends me heart hands every day. It’s fantastic.”

She hopes to have the wall finished in the next two weeks, and she said she can’t wait for everyone to enjoy it.

“It’s like leaving a landmark, like leaving your fingerprints somewhere else,” she said.