10 Mar 2024 Searcy students paint murals for the total eclipse festivities

Posted at 8:22 PMh in News by

Students from Searcy High School, Riverside High School and Harding Academy painted eclipse-themed murals in Art Alley on Feb. 9. Art Alley is a permanent art feature located in downtown Searcy (White County) that is a popular tourist stop. 

A group of students from three high schools and their adult sponsors were “Loving LIFE” in Art Alley in Searcy. The students won the chance to paint a design in celebration of the total solar eclipse which will happen on April 8.

Many students submitted designs, and the top three that were chosen from each school were invited to bring their art to life in the colorful alley, which is painted on both sides and lit at night. This is part of the efforts being made to prepare for the 2024 total solar eclipse that will take place on April 8. The artwork will be a part of the Mural Tour that will happen the weekend of the eclipse. The last total solar eclipse occurred in 2017.

Like many cities throughout Central Arkansas, Searcy leaders have been preparing for the weekend of the eclipse for more than a year. The largest eclipse viewing in the city is called Galaxy Fest, which will be held at the Searcy Event Center and will be Star Wars-themed.

Bradley Franz and Emily Earley, both of Harding Academy.

“As far as we know we are the only town in the path of totality doing that [theme],” said Searcy eclipse coordinator Jenna Friday. “We’ll have everything from a heavy metal Star Wars cosplay band headliner, a 35-foot fire dome, as well as what’s called a Padawan Training Academy led by our local taekwondo company.”

The space theme extends before and after the eclipse, including the night of April 8 when Harding University will host former astronaut Captain Jerry Linenger in the Benson Auditorium as a speaker.