CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS The wall of the Great Western Bank was exposed after the 2018 tornado. However on Saturday, artist Dye Davenport of Tama began working on a mural which will grace the wall and serve as a reminder to Stay Strong Marshalltown.

Some new Marshalltown downtown artwork is expected to be completed early next week, weather depending.

A Marshalltown Strong mural, commissioned by the Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance, will grace the outside wall of Great Western Bank located on the corner of East State Street and North First Avenue.

Work on the piece began Saturday by artist Dye Davenport of Tama.

“As many of us remember, Dye Davenport and his son Darian created the iconic piece on the Marshalltown Skate Park Graffiti Wall — Stay Strong Marshalltown — in the days following the 2018 Marshalltown tornado,” said Amber Danielson, executive director of the Alliance. “This artwork served as a constant reminder of the strength we have to come together and rebuild as a community in the months to follow.”

Davenport said he enjoys making people smile during tough times.

“It is my goal to lift people’s spirits with the arts,” he said.

The Great Western Bank wall that Davenport is painting was exposed after the tornado.

“Great Western Bank is proud to partner with the Marshall County Arts & Cultural Alliance on this project,” said bank president Jeff Mathis. “We are thrilled to find a way to brighten up our downtown business district and demonstrate the resiliency of the community and hope for good things going forward for the entire Marshalltown area.”

One of the goals of the project is to help provide hope to the community of Marshalltown during this time of economic uncertainty and social distancing.

Danielson encouraged people to watch Davenport work, but said social distancing should still be maintained.

“Together we have conquered the most challenging times and have come out on the other side better than ever,” Danielson said. “We have done it before, and we will do it again. Even through these times of uncertainty, we will continue to serve our mission in the greatest capacity by supporting and promoting the arts in our community.”

The Arts & Culture Alliance is a non-profit organization. It was created in 2004 to cultivate a community of arts and culture by supporting, promoting and enriching opportunities and seeking new possibilities.