This mural project was funded and created entirely by community members.  It extends the museum’s educational mission outside the museum doors and onto the grounds.  The mural is part of the museum’s Prairie Project to integrate Missouri native plants back into the park.  It took over 25 hours to install and the participation of 40 local art students from area high schools.  The museum hopes the mural will help share the importance of Joplin native plants that require less care, less resources, feed our soil, slow down erosion, and provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals. 

Students of the Carl Junction High School Visual Arts Department, with special thanks to student designers Avari Fifer and Olivia Wobken, were led by CJ High School Visual Arts teacher and artist, Nellie Mitchell and Visual Arts teacher Amber Davidson to install the mural.  Mural site preparation was done by the Baxter Springs National Honor Society and led by Family & Consumer Science teacher, Leslie Bowman.  Materials were sponsored by a generous grant from Casey’s Cash for Classrooms, Spectrum Paint, ABE Paint Team, and Ozark Center Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services.