Folks in Kingman, Ariz., have come up with an interesting way to dress up long-closed properties along Route 66 — artwork on window coverings.
The shuttered Old Trails Garage building, next to the soon-to-reopen Hotel Brunswick, soon will have shadow-box-type coverings over the windows, painted by local artist Sandy Rusinko. The painting shown below presents the illusion of peering into an active garage during Route 66’s early days.
Building owner Elmer Graves (right) and Rodney of Axiom Remodeling hold the painting before installing it in the window behind them. The second photo is a detail of the painting.
Axiom Remodeling donated the labor, as well as materials from the Brunswick Hotel renovation, for the construction and installation of the window inserts.
This is an intriguing way for Route 66 towns to spruce up abandoned properties. Like the gas-station painting projects in Tucumcari, N.M., it’s a low-cost way to make the town more welcoming to nostalgia-seeking Route 66 fans.
Inserts for the rest of the windows have already been paid for by the City of Kingman Visitors Center. Fundraising for the artwork is ongoing. For more information about the project or to make a donation, call Kevin Morgan at 928-279-0230 or project organizer Jim Hinckley at 928-530-7899.
Very Cool Idea !!! I hope to stay at The Brunswick on my next trip out Rt. 66 on my Harley !!!!!!